'Crystalize' Collection by Lorna Mellows
Meet the graduate fashion designer - Lorna Mellows. The designer is originally from Peterborough but has been studying at Norwich University of the Arts, specialising in women’s evening wear.
Lorna first showed an interest in fashion at the age of 7, when she noticed that not all of her toys had clothes. “I began learning to sew from my nana and my mum. I remember making funky outfits for all my teddies. These would be made with scrap fabrics we would find around the house or from the old clothes that didn’t fit anymore “.
As the time went on Lorna began sketching fashion designs and reading about the fashion industry before starting her degree.
By Elina Kobzar
5 June 2020
Lorna describes her designs as “theatrical, dramatic and sculptural” while also being “indicate and luxurious”.
The designer likes to think of a story before starting designing her new collection. “I find the concept of narrative fascinating and full of imagination with endless possibilities of interpretation. Sometimes I like to make up my own stories which I think would be interesting and in some ways incorporate my ideal audience”.
Lorna’s ‘Crystalize’ collection represents a story of worrier women, where crystals are the armour of protection. The collection shows a combination of harsh crystal structures with soft luxurious evening fabrics.
For this collection, Lorna used a mixture of materials such as satin, silk, velvet and organdie, which is a light fabric that can hold sculptural structures. These materials allowed creating crystalize corset dress which Lorna describes as one of the hardest garments in the collection to construct.
' Fashion is not only about designing clothes. It is about what type of brand you want to be and who your audience is '
“The main technique I have been using throughout my collection has been panelling. I’ve been taking sections from basic garment blocks and re-drafting them to create different shapes such as shards and crystal forms”.
During her degree, Lorna has been able to intern in a start-up brand which gave her a perspective as to what needs to be considered when setting up a label. “I think these are insights that fashion students should be exposed to. They need to understand that fashion is not only about designing clothes. It is about what type of brand you want to be and who your audience is”.
In the future Lorna sees herself working as a designer for the womenswear or evening wear brand. ‘I would also hope to learn the business side of fashion to understand the importance of business model and ways in which fashion brands can become more sustainable. This type of knowledge and experience I hope to carry with me for when I feel ready to start my own brand where I'll continue creating my stories”.
