RUINED

My final project was a menswear fashion collection concerned with the aesthetics of decay and social impact of dereliction. The starting point was a derelict mansion near my home in Scotland; abandoned for over twenty years it represents a forgotten era now lost to our modern society. The decaying interiors influenced my choice of colour and texture, while wider research into the plight of the British Country House introduced an historic perspective. I introduced a contemporary dynamic by exploring the issue of campaigning to save historic buildings, contributing to the poignantly smart yet distressed character of my collection.

During my initial research I discovered two past exhibitions held at the V&A entitled 'The Destruction of the Country House' (1974) and 'Save Britain's Heritage: Thirty Years of Campaigning' (2005). Researching these exhibitions using the V&A online resources and catalogues helped me to define the different aspects of my project and develop my theme into a concept.

My exhibit consists of a sketchbook, garment and a series of boards. Depending on the space available I may need to edit the display but I think it could adapt well to a smaller space.

Cheers, Duncan (Fashion 2)