Interviews
Kingston Univ student rebels against meaningless fashion
11 Nov '14
2 min read
A Kingston University fashion design student named Louise Aquilina has recently created a collection replete with a strong militant and worker vibe of Cuba.
Representing a rebellion against superficial, meaningless fashion, the guerrilla gang-inspired Demo Division line, which was first showcased at the university’s MA Fashion Show earlier this autumn, features a colourful range of street-style unisex clothing.
Incorporated with elements from the gender blurring hip hop culture, Cuban workwear and street clothing, the eight-piece line was made using second hand denim and is adorned with illustrations gathered from children in Havana during the Maltese designer’s Cuban adventure
The season-less durable collection, which is based on Louise’s belief that garments should be durable rather than thrown away as seasons pass and trends change, includes a variety of colourful, chunky knit jumpers and an oversized blue and mustard scarf.
While speaking on the line, the young talent states, “My trip to Cuba had a big influence on my collection. Everything in the country is regulated and there’s a strong militant, worker vibe. Yet I observed that many people still longed to express themselves through dress and improvised with whatever they could find to create their own, mashed up style.”
The young designer hopes to use her Demo Division characters to highlight her belief that fashion is not just about garments, “We’re living in an era where anything could pass as fashion and anyone could be a designer. I’m all for liberty of expression, but I feel it can sometimes diminish meaning within the industry. I want to remind people that fashion doesn’t have to be superficial or entirely based on aesthetics. It can just as easily have a story to tell or a message to convey.”
Louise Aquilina teaches textiles and 3D design at an education college in her home country Malta. (PB)
Representing a rebellion against superficial, meaningless fashion, the guerrilla gang-inspired Demo Division line, which was first showcased at the university’s MA Fashion Show earlier this autumn, features a colourful range of street-style unisex clothing.
Incorporated with elements from the gender blurring hip hop culture, Cuban workwear and street clothing, the eight-piece line was made using second hand denim and is adorned with illustrations gathered from children in Havana during the Maltese designer’s Cuban adventure
The season-less durable collection, which is based on Louise’s belief that garments should be durable rather than thrown away as seasons pass and trends change, includes a variety of colourful, chunky knit jumpers and an oversized blue and mustard scarf.
While speaking on the line, the young talent states, “My trip to Cuba had a big influence on my collection. Everything in the country is regulated and there’s a strong militant, worker vibe. Yet I observed that many people still longed to express themselves through dress and improvised with whatever they could find to create their own, mashed up style.”
The young designer hopes to use her Demo Division characters to highlight her belief that fashion is not just about garments, “We’re living in an era where anything could pass as fashion and anyone could be a designer. I’m all for liberty of expression, but I feel it can sometimes diminish meaning within the industry. I want to remind people that fashion doesn’t have to be superficial or entirely based on aesthetics. It can just as easily have a story to tell or a message to convey.”
Louise Aquilina teaches textiles and 3D design at an education college in her home country Malta. (PB)
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