Having just graduated from the BA Fashion Print course at CSM,  Victoria Sowerby worked with the up and coming fashion photographer Leonn Ward to shoot her new lookbook that we are very excited to showcase.

Since graduation her collection has been shot for VOID and USED magazine for publication next month and worked with Y’OH & Adidas at the 2012 Olympics.

Why Central Saint Martins?

I never went to an open day or knew much about the uni itself, only that it was good and PJ Harvey went there, so it must be cool as fuck.

Why menswear?

I think you can get away with a lot more with menswear. Keeping the silhouette simple you can go mental on fabrication and print.

What was the idea behind your collection?

The Fall song “Theme From Sparta F.C’ and the film ‘The Firm’ pretty much sum it up.

There’s something about the way big burley Northen men dress to go to the football. I’m originally from the North East of England and would always go to watch Boro games when I was younger. I love how these ultra masculine meatheads don’t think twice about donning a bright red velour tracksuit.

What was the hardest after you have graduated?

Nothing really prepares you for graduation, you’re suddenly out of the student bubble and it’s a scrabble for jobs or a long walk to the job center. A lucky few will get jobs straight from the fashion show but in this economic climate it takes a lot more effort and determination to get employees to consider you.

Anything you would do differently if you could go back?

Sometimes I look at my collection and think “what the hell was I thinking?! Nonperformance sportswear?” But I wouldn’t change a thing . . . well maybe I’d of got Paul Gascoigne or Kevin Keegan to model in the show.

Who’s your favorite tutor, and what was the best advice he/she gave you during your studies?
I think I learnt the most on foundation. Will and Auds gave me the kick up the arse I needed to get started. It’s definitely important to listen to your tutors but in the end you’ve got to remember it’s your collection and you only really get one shot. So you have to be your hardest critic.

victoria-sowerby.com