An interview and lookbook! Patrick McDowell, Sustainable British Fashion Designer unveils their latest collection, retelling the fantastical story of Cinderella in ‘Cinderella Shall go to the Football’. Photography by Lorenzo Berni!
This season, in a retelling of Cinderella’s story intertwined with Patrick’s own sustainable fantasy, we are brought a new collection. A tale reimagined and retold – ‘Cinderella Shall Go to the Football.’ Furthering their celebration of strong women, McDowell has combined the opulence and magic of Cinderella with culturally iconic sportswear. Putting the Femme into Football, the Princess will dazzle on the turf; in Swarovski jewelled boots and regal silhouettes. McDowell brings the fandom of Liverpudlian glamour to make the belle of the ball. I had a chat with the designer about the new collection:
KALTBLUT: Tell me how you first became interested in fashion; and why you decided to become a fashion designer
PM: As a child, growing up in Liverpool Fashion (or statement dressing) was a big part of life. I would watch women transform themselves with clothes and it fascinated me. Seeing how people could become stronger or more powerful depending on what they wore spoke to me. From the age of 6, I knew I wanted to do this as a job, to be a part of this moment where people feel like – YES – I can do that thing.
KALTBLUT: Tell me a little bit about your journey that led to you releasing your new collection.
PM: My new collection is titled Cinderella shall go to the Football, As ever It’s about mixing the hyper-masculine with the feminine, about reclaiming traditionally masculine spaces for queer people and imagining a world where it is in fact safe for us to exist. Liverpool is a very Football centric city and so it was a big part of life growing up. I watched the Cinderella film every day as a child and so I wanted to retell these classic gendered stories together for now, reflecting on my own journey with sexuality and exploring my own non-binary place in the world.
KALTBLUT: How would you describe your style and fashion?
PM: My style and fashion are rooted in sustainable luxury, from a business point of view we’re rethinking the fashion business model in a way that makes sense for the coming decades. From a style point of view, we create special pieces with nods to traditional workwear or sports techniques with incredible silhouettes and fantastic fabrics.
KALTBLUT: Are there any fashion icons who inspire your design?
PM: I’m inspired by Elsa Schiaparelli’s work, it’s incredible how relevant it feels today and some of the Haute couture masters of post-war Europe that really set a standard for amazing silhouettes and craftsmanship. As a kid growing up in the 90s that has had an undeniable influence. I’m inspired by the queer community – globally their incredible tour de force towards modernity, reinventing how we perceive humanity and their overwhelming creative excellence that sets the standard around the world in all creative industries.
KALTBLUT: What would you say makes your design stand out against other brands?
PM: Our pieces are special, they’re thought through and have amazing appeal while being comfortable to wear, and everything feels amazing. We are truly sustainable and size-inclusive. Our pieces are for the modern citizens of the world.
KALTBLUT: Where do you find your inspiration for your work?
PM: Often I’m inspired by my own childhood and family history, I work on narratives from my past to reclaim and recreate often toxic masculine cycles that have played out over generations and recreate them in a loving and modern way. The collections are a form of therapy for me, it’s about connecting the dots from my past and thinking about how it can look moving forward. As I explore my own identity it’s been incredible to have this creative outlet and to do it in a way that has less of an impact on the planet.
KALTBLUT: What advice would you give to people who want to experiment more with the clothes they wear?
PM: Wear the thing that you keep thinking about but that scares you, we’ve all been there – tried it on and taken it off, bought it but never worn it. It’s those moments that can be so incredibly empowering because that fear is you stepping into a part of yourself that deserves to be heard.
KALTBLUT: What are your favourite pieces from your collection?
PM: I love the reimagined Football kits with Swarovski Crystals, and the Black Taroni silk tail coat and kilt from Look 18. Both take something classic and rethink it, they’re twisting the expectations in a modern sustainable way.
KALTBLUT: How would you describe the local fashion scene/industry in your home town/country?
PM: British fashion is interesting because it’s a great mix of romanticism and irony, it’s something classic with a twist, nothing is as it seems and that’s incredibly powerful when pushing forward because it happens in a way that respects the past.
KALTBLUT: What does being an independent designer mean to you?
PM: Being independent is powerful, it’s allowed me to rethink the Fashion business model and prove that a business can be built on sustainable values. We have three founding pillars. People and the planet, the queer community and creative education. Together they work to create a brand that makes a positive impact and gives back.
KALTBLUT: If your brand was ice cream, what flavours would it be?
PM: Vegan Pistachio Ice Cream.
KALTBLUT: What was the last music track you listened to?
PM: In your Eyes – Kylie
KALTBLUT: Finally, what can we expect to see from you in the near future?
PM – The future is looking exciting, we’re continuing to build our made-to-order and limited edition offering and have an upcoming collection at London Fashion Week in September.
Designer: @Patrick__McDowell #PatrickMcDowell #McDOWELL
Photographer: @lorenzo_berni
Styling: @mrsemilyevans
Location: @themillsfabrica
Choreography: @richardpye
Hair: @toniandguyworld
Makeup: @danielcbauer
Fabrics: @manteco_official @taronisilk @tencel_luxe @evolvedbynature @esce.tex @harristweedhebrides @swarovski
Shoes: @manoloblahnik
Assisted by: @niamh.j.design @callmecolaf
Supported by: @olivannalondon @ecologi_hq @akt_ldn @jeeveslondon @viou_official @londonfashionweek
Supporting: @positiveeast
