In a time where the fashion industry is constantly being criticized for the negative impact it is having on the environment, this collection by Martha Havard aims to highlight that fashion can still have a positive impact by repurposing materials that otherwise would go to waste. Her collection was inspired by a dress that her Great Grandmother made out of WW2 parachute silk during the ‘Make Do and Mend’ era. 

Following in her Great Grandmother’s footsteps, Martha has solely used second hand and repurposed fabrics within her collection. She has used these to develop her own textiles which have gone on to help inform her designs. Martha also created a print inspired by the work of Olafur Eliasson’s The Glacier Melt series 1999/2019 which highlights the dramatic impact that global warming is having on our world.

Martha Havard’s Great Uncle is also a fundamental inspiration to her collection. In his first appointment he worked as a regimental tailor for 25 years. Moved by his craftsmanship and dedication, Martha looked to military wear and workwear for her inspiration for silhouette. Martha’s outfits have historical references whilst still having a fashion forward approach.