GLOBAL YOUNG TALENT 2021: KYLA HOLDEN | HISTORICAL AND CONTEMPORARY ITEMS USED IN MOUNTAIN CLIMBING

Kyla Holden is a final year Fashion Design student studying at De Montfort University. Originally, she is from a small town based in Nottingham, and completed a 2-year college course at Nottingham College, where she found her interest with menswear. As recently seen in April issue of Harper’s Bazaar we had a pleasure to discover her attitude towards designing.

What made you become a menswear designer in the first place?

I firstly started to become more interested in menswear when I started my degree at De Montfort University. I was fascinated with gender fluid fashion, and I was instantly inspired to create garments that would change the identity of what we associate with ‘menswear’ clothing. Currently, I am inspired by designers such as Charles Jeffrey, who has no gender norms to his fashion pieces and is very playful with colour. Throughout my projects, I like to be versatile with my creations so that there are no limits to my designs, and they can be enjoyed by everyone.

What kind of materials you enjoy working the most? ?

There are endless limits with what I enjoy to use, I always make every project different from the other. What I want to achieve throughout my final year is to become more sustainable and mindful of the choices of materials I use. However, as an emerging knitwear designer also, I am inspired to use unconventional materials that brands such as Leutton Postle achieve in their garments.

“ There are endless limits with what I enjoy to use, I always make every project different from the other. What I want to achieve throughout my final year is to become more sustainable and mindful of the choices of materials I use.”.”

There is a visible advantage of yellow colour within your designs, do you associate it with something special to you?

The yellow colour has always been something that I have been drawn to my whole life. Growing up I had a room that was filled with all of my favourite games and toys, which was the happiest place for me to be and this was filled with the colour yellow. I believe that from this, the colour automatically makes me feel more joyful and is always channelled through most of my designs.

“Growing up I had a room that was filled with all of my favourite games and toys, which was the happiest place for me to be and this was filled with the colour yellow.”

What made you come up with such strong and contrasting prints and colours?

I wanted to create designs that were striking from a distance, I did not want the designs to blend in with other conventional items we have in our wardrobes. My main focus was to create a collection that would be eye-catching, versatile and multifunctional. The garments should establish your presence wherever, and to also show confidence when wearing it. The suitable wearer should be very daring with their choices of clothing and not to be afraid to stand out from everyone else.

How would you like to be pictured in your target minds?

I would like to be pictured as a designer who is very playful and versatile. I love contrasting my designs with numerous fabrics and yarns, which many may consider to be unusual combinations. I would like to be known for being adventurous with my creations and unafraid with my choices of colour and print.

“I would like to be pictured as a designer who is very playful and versatile.’.”

Discover Kyla Holden's full collection

Words by Katarzyna Korcz