Hally Ahmed's graduate collection 'ASKING FOR IT|for the woman who isn't' was influenced by her going to protests, feminist talks and media stories that contribute to the victim-blaming of women. An example of a talk Hally has attended- Outliving Onseself: Surviving Sexual Violence: A conversation between Professor Susan Brison and Liz Kelly, at London Metropolitan University. The experiences of Professor Susan Brison who was brutally raped, strangled and left of dead by a stranger when going on a walk one day has has been an influence behind Hally's designs, along with many other experiences of women and girls. Hally's political, womenswear collection is about power-dressing, empowerment, amplifying the voices of women and to raise awareness of men's violence against women and girls. Her design aesthetic consists of: print on print and always using a bright colour palette.




Hally's style consists of drawing everything by hand, which she then scans in and digitalises into repeat prints. Using hand cut-out collages is another way she adds that hand feel to her designs as she likes a messy-neat look. Her collection considers the lives of women who have been affected by male violence and highlights this through text. Hally’s collection also has a 60s/70s vibe with flares, power-suits and dagger collar shirts. Hally has also incorporated dye-sublimation and screen print to form her print designs and protest banners.




Another part of Hally's collection includes creating a wide range of posters that either raise awareness of male violence or remind women they are enough. Hally intended to illustrate the ‘’advice’’ women are given that could be seen as well-meaning in order to protect them from being assaulted, however, she believes all this does is perpetrates victim-blaming and highlights a rape culture we very much still live in and sexual violence against women and girls is normalised. The "safety" precautions would have been printed on the insides and lining of her garments.







Hally’s prints are illustrative, fun and colourful, though some of her print designs have a lot more meaning. For example, the lips and heart print represent, using your voice, raising your voice and finding your voice. The hearts represent love and solidarity to all women and girls, especially to those who have been affected by the justice system and have been shamed, blamed and vilified. Unfortunately not all of Hally’s designs came to life due to Covid-19 as she was wasn’t able to fully complete her graduate collection. However, this isn’t stopping her, she will continue to complete collection within the next year, either through her MA Textiles and continue to develop her ideas, which she plans to undertake or if she waits a year before her MA, this angry and empowering womenswear will be finished.