Here at OhDearism, we love checking out the graduate collections of Britain’s future design talents. This week we caught up with Brighton graduate Cecilia Ajayi, who crafts stunning black and white knitwear. Taking inspiration from Cubist art and architecture, we love the way Ajayi’s pieces form to the female body.
How would you describe your signature style?
I would describe my signature style as an artistic expression of three dimensional knitwear with a feminine allure.
What drew you to using knitting as a design technique?
At first I was rather hesitant about knitwear as I always had a stereotypical view of knitwear being something plain, boring and unfashionable. But during rotation in my first year of University, I realised the sculptural, three dimensional nature and qualities of knitwear. As I was quite interested in constructed textiles I began finding new ways of developing the technical ability of knitwear, it was from there that my passion for knitwear began.
What’s been the highlight of your design career so far?
My highlight so far would have to be the moment when I completed my graduate collection. As this was my first collection, I was very excited to be able to create a collection that best captures myself as new designer and my interest in Cubist art and architecture.
What is the inspiration behind your collection?
My collection was inspired by Cubist art and architecture; in particular the way the cubists worked three dimensionally with their fascination for fragmented structures, their use of colours tones, and their endless ability to capture a variety of perspectives from an image. By engaging with cubist characteristics such as fragmentation, gradual colour blends and multiple views, the aim of the collection was to investigate how cubist characteristics can be developed through the medium of knitting.
Do you design clothes with a particular customer in mind?
The designs of my garments usually follow the form of the female shape. Once the garments are worn, the shape of the female body is transformed, redefined, and exaggerated further due to elaborate patterning of the garment. So I guess my garments would be attracted by women who are confident with their shape and enjoy wearing interesting clothing that flatters the shape and captures the eye.
What’s next?
At the moment i’m currently working on adding on a few more pieces to my graduate collection for a knitting exhibition But once that is completed I will continue to work on developing my technique and create a new collection that further express my interest with sculptural textiles.
Natalie Lasance 