My name is Amy Pearson, and I am a Fashion Design with Business Studies (BA) Graduate from the University of Brighton and have recently completed my final collection ‘GUIDE ME AS I GROW’. This collection is inspired by the delicately crafted garden my mother curated for me as I grew up. With my grandad who worked in the special effects film industry throughout his life, my muses are often inspired by him and the horror films he worked on in the 1940’s. Through designing, I have become more appreciative and fascinated with the intricate structures and textures that surrounded me as a child. Through experimenting with hand pleating techniques, this collection pulls the wearer into an immersive world my mum created for me. I enjoy celebrating a hand-crafted and personal approach to designing. Each look is curated by progressively building upon a singular toile, valuing the craftsmanship in construction, whilst limiting fabric waste. By pleating together strips of deadstock fabric together sourced from ‘The Materialist’, the shape of the fabric piece can grow and be shrunk into the required shapes needed for a specific pattern piece or size. I promote the use of natural dyeing in my work using food waste from local restaurants. I hope to continue my sustainable design work and adventure into costume and/or film design.