GLOBAL YOUNG TALENT 2020: NIKITA ABBOTT | REFLECTING ON THE IMPORTANCE OF MENTAL HEALTH THROUGH THE BEAUTY FOUND IN FRAGILITY

A keen sense of understanding for what it meant to be communal as well as, a burning desire to learn more about sustainable fashion is something Nikita Abbott is driven by. With her latest collection, the Solent University alumna aims to turn the idea of community through fashion and craft into a message. As part of our Graduate Talent Programme, the womenswear designer is featured in the October issue of Harper’s Bazaar UK. Read on to discover how society, the beauty of fragility and its effects on mental health, inspired an extraordinary collection.

Why was the feeling of community and inclusion so important to your collection and brand?

I think that in this age of social media people feel the need to be original. The feeling of helping each other and working together is somewhat lost. As the fashion industry matures, consumers want a personal feel to their garments. My aim is to promote a sense of craftsmanship by repairing and upcycling garments instead of contributing to the throw away society stigma.

"My aim is to promote a sense of craftsmanship by repairing and upcycling garments instead of contributing to the throw away society stigma."

How did you get the inspiration for having quite textured and floaty garments?

It started with The White Painting by Michael Buthe as it signifies this fragile beauty with rags falling off the framework. The textured elements symbolize durability and the floaty elements represent the fragile rags falling off and exposing wear and tear.

What was your inspiration for your colour palette?

I manipulated my initial inspiration on photoshop and collaged in my sketchbook with acetate. It revealed beautiful blues, deep aubergine and rust orange shades. However, I ended up with terracotta, mint green and icy blue shades as by exploring earthy themes and the sense of community I wanted to lighten up the palette to express a summery and fresh feel.

"The textured elements symbolize durability and the floaty elements represent the fragile rags falling off and exposing wear and tear."

What made you want to experiment with diverse and abstract necklines for your dresses?

It developed from the feeling of fragility I wanted to convey. I wanted my collection to resemble asymmetric chaos. The beauty within destruction.

How will you take your findings from this collection to influence your future garments?

I have had a real emotional connection to the sense of celebrating fragility within my collection as it allowed me to really explore asymmetric themes. It is something I will feel more confident to introduce to future collections.

"I wanted my collection to resemble asymmetric chaos. The beauty within destruction."

Discover Nikita Abbott's full collection

Words by Reka Dala