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- Katie McQuaid
Katie
McQuaid
DISTORTION
BA Fashion (with Collection Design)
My collection is inspired by biomimicry. The natural process of nature mentoring man made inventions, specifically architecture. I explore the connection between the internal and external structures of the human body and gothic architecture. Inspired by the Notre Dame and the gargoyles that sit upon it, my collection aims to highlight the distorted, twisted and grotesque bodies of these gargoyles. The contorted bodies and dramatic postures of the gargoyles informed an approach centered on reshaping the human body. Initial sketches focused on translating these sculptural qualities into wearable forms, emphasizing tension between structure and fluidity of the body. Layering techniques were used to build exaggerated shapes, particularly around the hips, shoulders, and necklines. These areas were intentionally amplified to mimic the irregular proportions seen in the gargoyles, resulting in silhouettes that appear both architectural and distorted. As a phygital designer, Clo3D is a huge part of my designing when bringing my concepts and garments to life both virtually and physically. It allows me to prototype efficiently, test fit and movement, and silhouettes before production, while my technical background ensures that every digital design is grounded in garment knowledge. Clo3D enables a more rigorous understanding of my garments and how to construct them. While I love physically experimenting and constructing garments, the fast paced environment of Clo3D saves on time and fabric waste.
Work Placement – Bespoke Bridal – Dublin
Curioser & Curioser
Inspired by the whimsical world of Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland, this collection reimagines childhood curiosity through a contemporary lens of playful luxury. Made digitally through flat drawing and curating boards on adobe illustrator. Much like Alice’s journey, the designs explore a world where proportions are distorted, rules are undone, and imagination leads the way. Oversized silhouettes, exaggerated shapes, and unexpected layering evoke the surreal charm of Wonderland, while bold stripes, pastel tones, and eccentric prints reflect its vibrant cast of characters and dreamlike landscapes. At the heart of the collection is a sense of adventure — clothing designed to move, transform, and invite exploration. Billowing trousers, sculptural collars, and whimsical detailing create garments that feel expressive and theatrical, yet rich in craftsmanship and refinement. The juxtaposition of soft femininity with structured forms mirrors the tension between fantasy and reality, innocence and sophistication. This collection celebrates the freedom of self-expression, encouraging the wearer to embrace curiosity, individuality, and play. Like stepping through the rabbit hole, each look offers an escape into a world that feels magical, unconventional, and unapologetically imaginative, while maintaining an elevated sense of modern luxury.
Colonii Live Brief
This project is inspired by Antwerp and made for Micke Colonii. In this project I explored my journey of erasmus and work placement when I moved to Antwerp. I was infatuated with the culture, language and architecture. The history through the architecture is so rich and I wanted to immerse Micke Colonii in a real life culture. The city is built of incredible buildings standing tall for years and adorned with incredible motifs and gold. I created silhouette’s through collaging my own images I took of the city, the buildings and statues that are on them, and brought them to fruition through fabric choices, sewing techniques and garment construction. I used Clo3D to aid my designing and making.