Stella Reardon

“How You See Every Flower” is a contemporary collection that explores the various Arts of the
Aesthetic Movement of the late 1800s, which aspired to escape the ugliness of materialism and the Industrial Age. Through painting, poetry and dress making, Aestheticism had a notable impact on women’s dress, aiding in the liberation from the 400-year-old corseted tradition. Various techniques of gathering such as smocking and pleating were essential in establishing these new styles. This collection intends to explore these techniques, whilst reflecting the social values of the Aesthetic Movement, in a modern context.