CATHOLIC FAIRYTALES – Sustainable Fashion designer Patrick McDowell unveiled his latest collection in support of the queer community. Patric’s ambition behind this collection is to reclaim the opulence of the Catholic church for queer people. Celebrating their identity and all of the beautiful people who form the LGBTQIA+ community.
@patrick__mcdowell // www.patrickmcdowell.co.uk/catholicfairytales
Photographer: Aaron Bird @shotbyaaronamous
Structured silhouettes, embellished details and a bold colour palette build the foundations of the collection; capturing the Catholic opulence Patrick aims to reclaim. Throughout this collection, Patrick continues to implement sustainable design practices by creating each piece in London with reclaimed materials. Working closely with fabric producers Taroni silk and Manteca wool to breathe new life into deadstock qualities while creating hand-knit and crochet pieces using ethically sourced yarn from wool and the gang. Staying true to Patrick’s vision of fairer fashion industry for all.
In the spirit of supporting the queer community, Patrick will partner with various institutions supporting LGBTQIA+ people in 2021. The collection includes a large red silk HIV awareness ribbon created in support of the National AIDS Trust.
Featuring dramatic capes and strong silk tailoring mixed with sparkling crystals and softly rounded knits, borrowed silhouettes from Vatican city are turned into mini dresses while the signature p logo adorns surfaces throughout. Bold Jewel tones in luxurious fabrics continue to prove that sustainability can be desirable.
Based in London, Patrick started his career studying fashion design at Central Saint Martins. While learning his craft, Patrick interned at Burberry, working under Christopher Bailey before going on to launch his own brand in 2018. In 2019 Patrick was nominated by Anna Wintour for the Stella McCartney today for tomorrow award. In 2020 Patrick became a Graduate Fashion week Global Ambassador while also receiving a British Fashion Award nomination. At the beginning of 2021, he was appointed sustainability design director of the Italian womenswear brand Pinko.
“To create a collection reclaiming a religious space for myself and the queer community has been both therapeutic and important. Religious views often negatively impact so many queer children, causing lifelong trauma and internalised homophobia. To reclaim this religious space through Catholic Fairytales, I imagine a religion that accepts and embraces all of the beautiful queer people who inhabit it. Throughout this collection, I worked with incredible fabric and yarn producers to use deadstock Materials which has been so inspiring. These family-led mills in Italy hold true to my values for a better, and fairer, fashion industry. Working with different groups supporting LGBTQIA+ people was paramount for me, for all the incredible work they are doing fighting for our rights I am constantly in awe of their drive to make a change.” -Patrick McDowell
Designer Patrick McDowell @patrick__mcdowell
Models: Kyle De’volle @Kyledevolle Otamere Guobadia @otamere
Photographer: Aaron Bird @shotbyaaronamous
Videographer : Benjamin Ashpey @benjamin.hp @bhp.tv
Stylist: Seyon Amosu @seyon__
Graphics: Jean-Christophe Louviot @Jean.luuv
Hair: Laura Chadwick @Hairbylaurachadwick using Babyliss Pro
MUA: Czar Joshua Ventura @theczarisalive_mua using Bio glitz @bioglitz
Nails: Amy Williams @amy_nail_art
Shoot Assistant: Niamh Coughlan @niamh_coughlan
BTS Photographer: Sabine Khabiri @sabinekhabiri
Photographer assistant: Guy Gooch @guygooch
Stylist assistants: Marc Biakath @marcbiakath Josue Orome @clappeddeslondon
Hair and MUA Assistant: Lily Simmonds @lilysimmonds_mua
Jewellery: Slim Barrett @slimbarrett #slimbarrett
Heeled Shoes: Natacha Marro @natachamarro
Gloves and stockings: House of Seyon @houseofseyon
Fabric Partners: Taroni Silk @taronisilk Manteco @manteco_spa Wool and the Gang @woolandthegang
Hand Knitting: @Naive.knitwear
Hand crochet: Tabitha Tinkler Ferguson @Tabithatf
