CONTACT DETAILS AISHA KAYANI

Phone: 07496339460

Email: [email protected]

Artsthread Portfolio: https://www.artsthread.com/profile/aishakayani/

The Dots: https://the-dots.com/users/aisha-kayani-761689

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/aisha-kayani-209190141/

PERSONAL STATEMENT

As a new graduate coming out of the University environment, there is no doubt about the devastating implications the Coronavirus has decremented on the fashion industry. The unpredictability of securing a job has never been greater, however, I was not prepared to let this take over my final year and stop me from succeeding in the degree I have worked incredibly hard for. I worked around the situation and as a result I thrived in finishing my key final collection garments as well as design portfolios at home, whilst making face masks to help prevent the shortage of PPE and raising over £1,200 for the NHS.

My time at the University of Leeds has been a phenomenal journey. I have been able to participate in a year in industry as a Technical, Production and Design intern at the British couture fashion house, Amanda Wakeley. I launched myself into the working environment, pushing my ability to lengths I never imagined I would strive towards whilst building a set of transferable skills which I will continue to advance throughout the future career I now step into. From what began as a 6 month internship to then being extended to a year’s placement which flourished into a full-time paid job as an Assistant Garment Technologist in the summer of 2019 proved to me what I am truly capable of and has filled me with the drive to achieve incredible things and to never doubt my ability. Achieving such great experience at a brand who has dressed the world’s most glamorous including Meghan Markle, Beyoncé and Princess Diana has given me the opportunity to flourish into a strong and talented designer and has left me feeling motivated and excited to step into the world of Fashion.

Particularly in my final year of university I have been able to express myself and put forward topics I feel passionate about. My dissertation encompassed the deliberation between real and faux fur in contemporary fashion and I approached it in a manner which I believe does not shield people from the reality of furs sustainable benefits yet ethical downfalls as well as faux furs detrimental environmental impacts.

Taking my dissertation research forward, I used my knowledge of fur in my Fashion Innovation module to innovate printed fur. Initially being captivated with activism against the Canadian harp seal culling practice I based my final collection off this concept, innovating a collection of fur prints which I hope would give the consumer the aesthetic desire fur provides as well as technical and practicality benefits, whilst thinking ethically and sustainably about their buying power and animal well-being. The final collection is featured amongst my Still Life collection.

My Quintessential Garden design portfolio encapsulates luxury lingerie in a feminine, summer season. Being inspired from Annabel’s Club, London – the fabulous location of an Amanda Wakeley fashion show in which I was a key member in the preparation and execution of – this collection is enriched with floral designs, inspired by the garden and rose room in the club. It aims to establish women empowerment through feeling flawless and confident in unique lingerie. Establishing my own brand for this collection, Kayani, has allowed me to portray endless creative flair as well as produce captivating branding which mimics the luxury essence of the collection.

Geometric Jungle, another collection also taking inspiration from the jungle bar and nightclub room in Annabel’s club, this collection features geometric prints, inflicting the essence of a jungle in the night whilst hinting at abstract animal prints designed.

Coastal Alpines is my sportswear collection which takes inspiration from my hobby of hiking. As a hiker myself I have always struggled to find hiking clothing which is fashionable and unique with silhouettes – so I decided to design a collection of what I would typically desire to wear hiking. Featuring practical accessories to match the collection, the beaches and waterfalls of Bali have heavily motivated the prints and colour palette within the collection.

The conclusion of my University chapter is not as I expected in these unpreceded times, however, I have never been more proud of what I have achieved over my four years from being at Leeds and I would like to use this platform to share my deepest gratitude for everyone who has helped me excel and has encouraged me that whatever the limit is – exceed it.