Young designer Sinead Gorey from south east London has recently launched her latest capsule collection. Sinead takes a lot of her inspiration from underground rave culture, creating a unique clothing range that combines fashion with functionality.
Firstly, can you introduce yourself?
I’m a 22-year-old from south east London, where I have lived all my life. I went to an all-girls convent school in Croydon from year 7 to 13, that was an absolute nightmare. I hated pretty much everything about that place, I remember smoking fags in year 7 with boys from the opposite naughty school through the fence on the lacrosse pitch. I couldn’t wait to get my GCSES and A levels done, then bounce.
I did an art foundation in Camberwell when I was 18 and am now in my final year of Womenswear Design at LCF.
What made you want to study fashion?
Initially, I wanted to do costume design, as I was a dancer throughout my teenage years and thought that was the next step. However, after studying it for a short time on my foundation, I realised it definitely was not for me. I moved onto studying fashion design instead and was obsessed straight away.
Tell us about your fashion line and where it all started?
It was only around a year ago when I realised that there wasn’t a womenswear brand out there that I was absolutely obsessed with, so I thought I could try start my own. Initially I was just making clothes for myself but then people started to ask if they could purchase the garments I was making, so I started to push it further.
The first ever thing I did was that rave on Great Portland Street, where I shot my first small capsule collection as a small presentation and then we partied in the building after. I feel like that launched what I was trying to portray as a designer.
Where are you hoping to get to with your products and brand?
At the moment I’m just starting up, I want to create a brand that embodies London underground party culture, however being driven by different concepts. I do not want to create a commercial street wear brand (which is all I’m seeing nowadays) that’s definitely not the vibe. I want to create a glamorous, fun luxe leisurewear brand that combines elegance and sportswear.
What are your main sources of inspiration?
Currently I’m being really inspired by London’s dying illegal rave culture. I feel like I have so much first-hand experience that surrounds the scene that it would be silly not to use it as inspiration.
I remember when I was 15 and my friend miles took me to my first rave, OTT in Bromley and after that night I went pretty much every weekend for a long time. I met so many amazing people through the scene and experienced the craziest times. However, this scene is dead now. Innovations in modern technology means that feds are able to shut down raves before they even start. There’s nothing for young people to do anymore, they can’t go to the pub because they’re under 18 but there are no more safe raves for them either. Maybe this contributes to the rising crime rates currently in London?
There’s no weekend escape for young people anymore and I would love to make a statement on this through fashion.
In such a competitive industry, what makes you stand out?
I think it’s very important to be myself and let my experiences and personality flow through my design process, maybe this way ill stand out?
What have been your career highlights so far? I mean, having Zara Larson post a pic on Instagram in one of my garments and get nearly 270,000 likes was nice.
Can you tell us a bit about your latest collection? I was taking sound system culture, looking at how rigs are stacked, connected and looped etc and started applying this to pattern cutting. By combining rave décor with functional features taken from looking at scaffolder wear, I was able to create interesting new techniques with functional elements, for example a bum bag inspired by scaffolders belts that have pockets cut to hold all their tools but instead I added a functional feature to allow ravers to hold their canisters in. What are you going to do next? Some exciting things on the cards but mostly just progression, I’ve got tonnes of learning to do still. Have you got any advice for young designers? Working hard is very important, 14-hour days aren’t really a rare thing. Trying to juggle uni work, actual paid work, working on your own brand and a social life can get wild.
Instagram - sineadgoreylondon
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