Elizabeth Wood

BA (Hons) Fashion Design and Technology (Menswear) 2021

My inspiration came from Candace Owens' reaction to Harry Styles' Vogue cover where he was photographed wearing a dress. Ownes tweets 'Bring back manly men', but what is manly?

I wanted to explore the idea of manliness and how being manly isn't defined by what you wear. I took inspiration from my research into Mars, the God of war and ancient Rome to inform my design development. I combined elements of femininity and masculinity into tailored garments.

My process involved experimenting with a range of different fabric manipulation such as smocking, gathering and pleating, then applying these textures onto traditional men's shirts. I also researched into the armoury worn by Roman soldiers and linked these to feminine silhouettes such as the corset and a skirt for the tool belt idea.

My collection explores my interest in defining what masculinity is and incorporates a more inclusive masculinity outlook.