GOOSEBUMPS

Inspired by the ‘Winchester Geese’ - poor girls forced into a life of prostitution and misery in 18th Century England, designer Eleanor O’Hare aims to reclaim a sense of posthumous power for the young victims who were routinely abused and vulnerable to disease and early death. Experimenting with traditional elements of 18th Century gentlemen’s tailoring, juxtaposed with extreme draped silhouettes and corsets, Eleanor creates feminine modern shapes that endow the wearer with autonomy and authority. Innocence is lost and replaced with a knowing yet defiant attitude. Sumptuous, richly coloured fabrics catch the evening light; surfaces glow with sheen and gloss, and key pieces are adorned with antique sourced buckles, print and hand-sewn embellishments.