Denim lovers! We have a treat for you…How does hand woven denim made in Yorkshire sound? Well let us introduce you to Hollie Ward, 2015’s most exciting denim design talent. Inspired by slow, small batch production, Hollie daringly weaved her own fabric, for her showcase at Graduate Fashion Week this year, something even established British denim brands wouldn’t take on. Highlighting timeless designs and the art of craftsmanship, her insanely good portfolio prides itself on using local resources and British materials.
With a blend of waste cotton and British wool, the warp yarn is rope dyed in 100% indigo and purchased from Fairfield yarns in Rochdale, and the weft is British Gotland and Lleyln wool from the Natural Fibre Company. Bringing traditional manufacturing back to the UK…something which LOTI loves.
Creating the collection as part of her final major from Huddersfield University, Ward explains…“I spent the first few months of my FMP hand weaving denim and developing my fabric patterns and yarns and then worked with a mill in Huddersfield where I studied my degree to produce a length of denim woven on a 1954 shuttle loom. Something which I am planning to set up doing full time now I have completed my degree.”.
Taking denim back to its original roots, the collection showcases heavy, hard wearing fabrics. LOTI loves every piece, so there’s no favourite! Well…maybe that oversized jacket.