The inspiration behind my graduate collection ‘The Depths We Wear’ stems from my growing discontent with the direction of the contemporary fashion industry. In an era defined by hyper-consumption and accelerated production cycles, the intrinsic value of traditional craftsmanship is undermined by the fast fashion production model. This paradigm encourages an ever-increasing culture of disposability, where garments are stripped of narrative, purpose and longevity. I traced the roots of this cultural shift- from artisan to mass production- back to the Industrial Revolution, where the manufacturing of clothing became vastly more accessible. I explored this narrative through a personal lens, drawing connection to my heritage, rooted in the coal mining industry of my hometown in North East England. My designs are informed by the aesthetics of industrialism and brutalism, referencing both the infrastructure and the everyday lives of the miners from Ashington Colliery. Through conversations with my mam, in which I learned about my grandad’s years of labour in the colliery, I uncovered a tapestry of lived experience which informed the contextual depth of my work. My philosophy as a designer centres on creating purposeful clothing that blends timeless silhouettes with a considered response to contemporary trends. I place a strong emphasis on refined detailing and the use of high-quality, enduring fabrics. This ethos aligns my practice with the values of luxury fashion, thereby creating a counterpoint to disposable design.