The story of the Thread of Fate; a Japanese legend, is a chaotic story between destined lovers. Lovers who have been tied with an invisible red string. This string can get tangled, knotted, and stretched, but it never breaks. Zahra’s goal as a Designer is to create meaningful stories through garments, stories which deeply resonate with each owner. For viewers to look at a garment and become absorbed in the emotions that created it, like a piece of artwork.

Through this story Zahra was inspired to create silhouettes which included elements of knots and tangles. Further experimenting with creating her own textiles by using Wool fibers and loose threads.

The Designer focuses on texture and quality. She uses textiles such as different silks, wools and cotton. To complete the essence of tailoring seen in the collection, Zahra uses deadstock textiles from Savile Row. Furthermore, she creates textile manipulations by felting loose threads and Merino wool together on dissolvable fabric and chiffon with Merino wool to create a three dimensional cloud like textile.

As a Designer, Zahra has always been passionately appreciative of complexity and imperfection as something unconventionally beautiful; making something or someone truly standout. This mindset is intrinsically linked with her approach to design. Openly exploring inner flaws and accepting the self in its natural and unfiltered form.

This collection was inspired by Francis Bacon and John Stezaker’s artwork, from which the Designer orchestrated her color palette and experimentation with tailoring. Taking references from their artwork, she creates her own techniques on manipulating textiles. Here the Designer shows samples of the felted wool textiles that she has created and used in the collection.