Fashion Design School of Design
Duncan Brown
Dressing above your station
“Are you dressing for the life you wish you had…or are you dressing for the life that you are living?”
— Carol Campbell
Exploring the intersection of identity, image, and the pursuit of personal growth through clothing. Drawing from the narrative within my own wardrobe, I examine how the clothes I wear reflect my story, rooted in a working-class background, grounded in tradition, and shaped by practicality and simplicity. With aspirations to progress beyond the confines of my roots while still honouring them, I integrate minimalist design principles to build a wardrobe for the everyday, one that merges tradition with modernity. Through combining knitwear and tailoring, I express my personal growth, pride in where I come from, and my ambition to progress beyond it
look 1: The pinstripe suit
This look symbolizes the foundation of my journey, drawing inspiration from the twill structure of denim, a traditional workwear material, reimagined within a knitwear context. The denim reflects my roots and where I’ve come from, while the tailoring represents my aspirations.
knitted with merino wool.
look 3: The herringbone coat
The herringbone coat is a nod to my Scottish heritage, inspired by my upbringing in the countryside outside Glasgow. Recreating a traditional Scottish woven fabric in knitwear pays homage to my roots, while the influence of polo coats and their association with the upper class represents my ambition to progress.
knitted with lambswool.
