Hand Constructed Bespoke Skirts
Alison Willoughby works almost exclusively with the skirt. The bespoke skirts she makes are hand constructed with techniques such as, fabric manipulation, hand and machine embroidery and screen printing. She works in a variety of materials and is constantly collecting unusual textiles and materials, such as the insides of ties, hats, jackets, paint, printing ink, plastic, metal, glass, ceramic and other materials from traditional dressmaking or industrial manufacture.
She studied Printed and Knitted Textiles at Glasgow School Art and graduated in Constructed Textiles: Mixed Media with an MA from the Royal College of Art in 2001. The multi-layered, chaotic three-dimensional aspect of her work is inspired by urban surfaces; the evolving and crumbling walls and streets bearing strata of weathered paint, peeling posters laid one on top each other and accidental marks and textures.
The skirts have been worn as garments and displayed in glass cases on the wall. The skirts and textile designs have been sold internationally. Some of her clients include; The Arts Council, The British Council, The Pure Living Lounge at Selfridges, Liberty Plc, Habitat, Oilily, ZPM, Tse Cashmere, Club Monaco, Tait and Style Knitwear, Urban Outfitters, Labour of Love - London, Ysh in Tokyo and Coco Ribbons in Kuwait and Dubai.
Alison was awarded the prestigious Crafts Council Development award in 2002 and has been selected to participate in Chelsea Crafts Fair and Origin: The London Craft Fair. She also regularly undertakes private commissions
Alison Willoughby
Fashion Design
Ground Floor Studio, 123-127 New Road, London E1 1HJ
T: +44 (0)7931 512422
Contact: Alison Willoughby
alison@alisonwilloughby.com