The inspiration for the piece was 'deconstruction for the young' - I wanted to use resources that we're readily available to me and could be constructed into something within a short time frame - hence the knitting of my daughter's jersey t-shirts (she had grown out of them!) and the use of toddler dresses. The back section was made from 3 toddler dresses making a representational puff or 'bustle'. The skirt was constructed in such a way that it can be easily unpicked (the back sections becoming dresses again, and the front section being used as heat mats) but strong enough to be worn as a mini skirt. The use of the gas mask was a comment on the political issues that are affecting the environmental health of our world - war, pollution and the destruction of habitats for human gain/control. Without protecting our environments (and recognizing the dangers of global warming) we are putting our children, and future generations at increasing risks - effecting all human, animal and environmental life. I think its important to take individual, community, regional, national and international responsibility in reducing the effects of global warming - being aware of our 'carbon footprints', recycling, and upcycling. My aim over the coming years is to explore issues relating to sustainable fashion, upcycling and exploring people's attitudes to fast-fashion; with the my creative practice creating sustainable, ethically sound knitwear/fashion garments.

(Student at Plymouth college of Art, just completed year 1). My main interests are sustainable fashion, with a focus on knitwear (linking with Proud Yarns of Kingsbridge).