Katie Eary collaborates with Hainsworth for striking new collection

Known for her glamorous streetwear, London based fashion designer Katie Eary sent her models down the catwalk at London Fashion Week with the help of Hainsworth.

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The twisted, glossy work of her favorite contemporary artists Jeff Koons and KAWS set the tone. Koons’ balloon dog pieces were re-imagined as prints featuring giant organs, brains, rib cages and teeth that appeared on neoprene sweaters and hoods, t-shirts and shirts.

Macs and parkas appeared in French navy, sexy orange, teal and aubergine Hainsworth wool. On the top half, mohair or lambswool knits were given aggressive personality with tube knit brains stitched on for detail or giant cables with matching hats and scarves.

Ahead of her ‘Areas of Flesh’ show at London Collections: Men, Katie went behind the scenes at the mill with GQ Magazine to talk about her love of wool.

She said:

I wanted to bring everything back to British which was why I was so inspired by the mill. It was an awakening as to why these garments have the price tag they do. The amount of work that goes into the fabrics, as well as the design and make process of the garment, is mind boggling. I have a new found respect for ‘Made in England’ wool garments.

“I selected Hainsworth fabrics with a balance of high shine and rigidness. I wanted to sculpt high shining parkas and macs with this shine to emulate Jeff Koons art works.”

“My favourite fabric to work with was the French Navy Broadcloth. It was absolutely amazing as I could literally sculpt and mould any shape and it had an absolutely gorgeous sheen to it.”

“I also used Black and Purple Doeskin – fabrics which had the most gorgeous pile and a high shine. I design in colour and it was inspiring to visit the mill and see the vibrancy of the fabrics. The processes blew my mind.”

Hainsworth MD Tom Hainsworth said:

It has been delightful to work with Katie. We love the way she has combined fashion and art with our Doeskin and Broadcloth fabrics to create such a striking collection.

Katie studied at the Royal College of Art and worked at Levi’s before setting up her own label, which is in its 8th season this Autumn Winter 2015.