Fraser Miller, graduate of De Montfort University and joint winner of the Visionary Knitwear Award at Graduate Fashion Week, took inspiration from the textures, patterns and styles of the wallpaper, curtain and tiles in the 70’s, 80’s and 90’s. With the period covering interior design movements such as deconstructionism and post modernism, it’s no surprise that Fraser’s final collection was noted as visionary in it’s construction, colour and shape.
The collection is called “An Abundance of Kin” and is based on the fact that the majority of the garments were hand-me-downs and how it ran throughout the whole family. Changing aspects of the clothing became a major highlight of the collection and all started when he took a pair of huge trousers that his older brother had worn and Fraser made them his own. The zip detailing on the cuffs, collars and sleeve heads really allow an interchangeable and versatile collection that can be manipulated by the wearer.
He took inspiration for texture, silhouette and design from his family album photographs when his parents first got married in 1973, to Christmas 2010. The knit textures and patterns mostly came from the wallpaper, curtains, tiles and sofas of the 70’s, 80’s and 90’s decor in my family abode.
Another influential contributor to his collection was his family’s heritage, from the kilt wearing fisherman of Aberdeen to minimalistic Danish Scandinavians. He looked at the fisherman’s knots, cable jumpers and daily lifestyles, which all inspired him to use cords, fairisle patterns and kilts, and contrasting that with the clean straight lines of Danish architecture and interiors.
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