Leena Sobeih

BA (Hons) Fashion Design Technology (Womenswear) 2020

Living across two contrasting cultures, societal implications and differences are what inspire me to design. Issues such as sustainability, female empowerment and body conformity are running themes throughout many global cultures. I believe this understanding helps me to produce meaningful responses to projects and questions.

In 2019 I was awarded to British Library Staff Choice Award at the British Fashion Council, British Library X Charles Jeffery Research Competition.

‘Second Skin’ is a collection inspired by a human’s natural physical changes through ageing. Mostly inspired by the exploration of the shadows, highlights and textures created on the skin surface, it uses fabrics in new ways to accentuate this ‘societally formed concept’ of body imperfection.

This is achieved by using dead-stock animal skins, which are often thrown away due to their natural imperfections. I manipulated them by bonding to add strength and laser etched surfaces to create subtle wrinkles around the contours of the body, to celebrate beauty.

The overall message of this collection is that beauty should be explored through means of experience, knowledge and memories engraved on a body. Wrinkles being a documented memory of a person’s life and should be cherished. By creating classic wearable garments inspired by the wrinkles, in addition to photographing the models by distorting the body to accentuate usually ‘unflattering’ angles, a holistic and meaningful emotion can be explored by the viewer. Inclusivity is achieved through these timeless pieces.