A graduate of the Manchester Fashion Institute, Zoe Leach brought a collection inspired by characteristics of the spatialism art movement to the FAD catwalk last February. ‘I incorporated thread work and historical influences,’ Zoe says, explaining the work that went into the pieces. ‘The overall concept of the collection was to get beyond a mere piece of fabric.’
On the evening of the Competition, Zoe was awarded a special mention which applauded her beautifully finished collection. She was praised for her contemporary use of historical techniques and elegantly incorporating movement and fluidity into her pieces. Angela Missoni herself was so impressed with Zoe’s collection that she bought it for her personal archive. “I thought that Zoe’s two outfits for the FADxMissoni Competition were very stylish. I particularly liked the combination of textures, creative detail, elegant proportions and the strong impact the silhouettes had on the catwalk during the live fashion show,”says Angela.
Since the competition, Zoe has continued making waves in the industry and is now working for menswear startup Threadbare in Manchester. ‘The FAD competition helped me to push my creativity and textile techniques, and helped me realise where my strengths lie,’ Zoe continued. ‘It gave me a lot of confidence in regards to my work as my collection was really well received.
‘I was able to work towards a specific brief and how to create something that is true to you as a designer, yet fulfil what’s expected from you in regards to a guided project, which is something I think is important when you enter the industry.’
