We had a blether with menswear designer, KellyDawn Riot, one of the nine young Scottish designers who were selected by the V&A Dundee to exhibit at the Northern Lights show at the V&A London, part of London Design Festival. The London Design Festival has become one of the most notable events in the world’s design calendar, so it’s a pretty big deal...
Did you grow up with artistic influences around you?
My parents were always very supportive of my artistic ability. My Father would bring home rolls of paper and pin it to the walls outside so I could spend my day painting in the garden and for Christmas, my parents would always get me things like mould making kits or pottery wheels - so they always encouraged me to chase after my artistic flair. I always knew I wanted to be an artist of some sort!
What were you like at high school? What, or who inspired you as a teenager?
I was a complete tomboy goth. In all honesty I never really felt like I fitted in at high school.
I used to try to replicate the aesthetic of seventies rock bands; I’d cut my hair to look like theirs and embellish/distress my clothes to emulate them. I used to think it was just because I was a tomboy but looking back I think that’s where my love of menswear sprung from and what got me in to fashion.
My parents were always very supportive of my artistic ability. My Father would bring home rolls of paper and pin it to the walls outside so I could spend my day painting in the garden and for Christmas, my parents would always get me things like mould making kits or pottery wheels - so they always encouraged me to chase after my artistic flair. I always knew I wanted to be an artist of some sort!
What were you like at high school? What, or who inspired you as a teenager?
I was a complete tomboy goth. In all honesty I never really felt like I fitted in at high school.
I used to try to replicate the aesthetic of seventies rock bands; I’d cut my hair to look like theirs and embellish/distress my clothes to emulate them. I used to think it was just because I was a tomboy but looking back I think that’s where my love of menswear sprung from and what got me in to fashion.
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Did you study before your MA at Glasgow School of Art?
I did my BA (Hons) in Printed Textiles for fashion in Ireland before going to the Glasgow School of Art to complete MA in Fashion and textiles specialising in menswear. You moved to Glasgow from Ireland to study at Glasgow School of Art. Were you nervous about moving away from home? No, not really, I was more excited than anything else. I had moved around Ireland a lot before moving to Scotland so it wasn’t a dramatic leap. I knew that there were greater opportunities outside of Ireland so sometimes moving away from home is a risk you need to take. You won the New Designer Award in 2014 which gave you the opportunity to be mentored by Orsola De Castro (founder of Fashion Revolution). How did that award come about? I had just finished my MA and was in a complete panic. I saw that this competition offered the opportunity to work with some really amazing people if you won so I just went for it. It really was such a wonderful experience and I had the greatest encouragement and support from everyone there. |
How did you make the most of your mentorship with Orsola?
Orsola really educated me on the impact the fashion industry is having on our planet and people.
It really moved and inspired me to develop my practice in to a more conscious and sustainable one. She was wonderful and guided me through the transition.
What did you take from your time as a mentee with Orsola?
Orsola gave me confidence & encouraged me to be myself. She gave me lots of helpful advice on sustainability and bringing my brand forward, which I couldn’t have done without her. I’d advise anyone looking to get in to a creative industry to look for a mentor or a person in the industry you really admire and pick their brain, even for a half a day. Most people are surprisingly nice and want to see their industry flourish.
Your designs are very intricate and are heavily influenced by nature, can you talk us through your process?
My brand embodies a unique aesthetic that invokes a sense of the ephemeral and wonder through hand crafted illustrations and paintings. The printed textiles are inspired by traditional naturalist illustrators. So, in keeping with that tradition, I sit in galleries & museums drawing and sketching before painting the images using traditional watercolour techniques.
The aim is to create wearable art that will continue to inspire: crawling with details and minutiae that will never cease to amaze.
Orsola really educated me on the impact the fashion industry is having on our planet and people.
It really moved and inspired me to develop my practice in to a more conscious and sustainable one. She was wonderful and guided me through the transition.
What did you take from your time as a mentee with Orsola?
Orsola gave me confidence & encouraged me to be myself. She gave me lots of helpful advice on sustainability and bringing my brand forward, which I couldn’t have done without her. I’d advise anyone looking to get in to a creative industry to look for a mentor or a person in the industry you really admire and pick their brain, even for a half a day. Most people are surprisingly nice and want to see their industry flourish.
Your designs are very intricate and are heavily influenced by nature, can you talk us through your process?
My brand embodies a unique aesthetic that invokes a sense of the ephemeral and wonder through hand crafted illustrations and paintings. The printed textiles are inspired by traditional naturalist illustrators. So, in keeping with that tradition, I sit in galleries & museums drawing and sketching before painting the images using traditional watercolour techniques.
The aim is to create wearable art that will continue to inspire: crawling with details and minutiae that will never cease to amaze.
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How did you find out about the V&A Northern Lights opportunity and what made you go for it?
I keep up to date with most design forums. Northern Lights was something I had heard a lot about.
The V&A is the world’s largest museum of decorative arts & design so it was an opportunity I didn’t want to miss.
It must be a total dream to know your work would be displayed in the V&A London. How did you feel when you heard that you’d been successful?
I was really surprised to be honest. I was really honoured to be a part of it.
What does working with the V&A mean to you?
It’s an opportunity I never dreamed I’d have. I used to go there as a child and I would have my face pressed up to the glass admiring all the beautiful garments, so to have my own creations featured there feels really surreal.
Has opportunity come knocking for you?
I wouldn’t say that. I believe in working for what you get and I’ve had a lot of late nights sewing till its bright outside or chasing up opportunities or missing out on nights out with friends. If it’s something you truly are passionate about, it’s always worthwhile.
What would you say to other young creatives who are hoping to make it?
Keep knocking on those doors and eventually the right one will answer. Sometimes you have disappointments and setbacks but eventually the opportunity that’s meant for you will arrive if you’re persistent.
What are your hopes for the future?
I try to not look too far into the distance. At the moment I enjoy what I’m doing and I plan to continue trying to push the boundaries. I want to bring fun and craftsmanship back in to menswear with an ethical and sustainable outlook.
I keep up to date with most design forums. Northern Lights was something I had heard a lot about.
The V&A is the world’s largest museum of decorative arts & design so it was an opportunity I didn’t want to miss.
It must be a total dream to know your work would be displayed in the V&A London. How did you feel when you heard that you’d been successful?
I was really surprised to be honest. I was really honoured to be a part of it.
What does working with the V&A mean to you?
It’s an opportunity I never dreamed I’d have. I used to go there as a child and I would have my face pressed up to the glass admiring all the beautiful garments, so to have my own creations featured there feels really surreal.
Has opportunity come knocking for you?
I wouldn’t say that. I believe in working for what you get and I’ve had a lot of late nights sewing till its bright outside or chasing up opportunities or missing out on nights out with friends. If it’s something you truly are passionate about, it’s always worthwhile.
What would you say to other young creatives who are hoping to make it?
Keep knocking on those doors and eventually the right one will answer. Sometimes you have disappointments and setbacks but eventually the opportunity that’s meant for you will arrive if you’re persistent.
What are your hopes for the future?
I try to not look too far into the distance. At the moment I enjoy what I’m doing and I plan to continue trying to push the boundaries. I want to bring fun and craftsmanship back in to menswear with an ethical and sustainable outlook.