Famous for designing buildings such as the Liverpool Metropolitan Cathedral and London Central Mosque in Regents’ Park, modernist architect Sir Frederick Gibberd has become the inspiration for a new catwalk collection.
The sleek outlines of Kingston University fashion student Alice Gibberd’s latest knitwear collection, which was unveiled on the Graduate Fashion Week catwalk, were shaped by her grandfather’s work.
“I never had the opportunity to meet my granddad, so I wanted to tap into the things that influenced his architecture in my collection,” the young designer from Exmouth, in Devon, explained.
Sir Frederick placed great importance on public art and made space for works by sculptors such as Henry Moore and Barbara Hepworth in the post-war development of Harlow new town, which he spearheaded in 1947. Alice, 21, has incorporated Moore and Hepworth’s fluid aesthetics in the smooth lines and curved seams of her figure-hugging jumpsuits and leggings.
Using heavy wools in grey and black tones, her knitwear traces the lines of the body, with stripes and ribbed ridges highlighting undulations. She has combined these pieces with delicate organza tops printed with a pattern inspired by the sparks created in metalwork sculpting.
