Arts Thread

Cheltenham born womenswear designer Holly Laidler has recently graduated from the University of Westminster. Laidler celebrates the everyday woman, creating garments that embody the personas she imagines up and has fun with every step of the creative process. Her graduate collection "Hotsy Totsy" - a term used from the 1920's to describe someone as ostentatiously fashionable. A woman of the past, dressed for the future. Always immaculate, always in control. She's a socialite with purpose, commanding attention wherever she goes, not because she seeks it, but because she is simple magnetic. Key influences came from combining classic military uniforms of the 1940's - most notably the MA-1 bomber and the flight suit with the opulence and more feminine shapes from the 1930's. A sharp satirical take on vintage glamour reimagined through a modern lens. The palette: greys, taupes, and greens, takes direct inspiration from military tones, with bright orange as a striking accent, referencing traditional artillery linings. Detail-heavy topstitching adds structure and craftsmanship throughout. Trompe l’oeil elements appear at the backs of garments, subtly revealing mesh underskirts and underwear for a playful, unexpected twist. Draping techniques developed during industry placements enabled me to explore sensual, wrapped forms—most notably in my twisted waistcoat dress, bringing together seduction and strength in equal measure.