Fashion - Bachelor

‘THE ARMOURY’

Ava Percival’s graduate collection, THE ARMOURY, borrows motifs from 15th-century German Gothic plate armour to explore how clothing can be a form of psychological and physical protection. In this instance, the metal of plate armour is transcribed into fabric, reinterpreting a historical source of inspiration into a contemporary, commerical fashion context.

The sculptural silhouettes purposefully obscure the shape of the limbs that lie beneath, physically shielding the wearer from social scrutiny that is based solely on the way their body looks underneath. The collection stands strong by being understated, through meticulous refinement of colour and texture, commanding the focus on form instead. The intention is modular clothing for every age, and every stage, with the hope that the garments resonate with many generations, transcending trend cycles.

Ultimately, this is clothing as sanctuary, not spectacle. The garments don't demand attention or need to reveal the body to empower it.

Ava Percival

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The vanguard

The knights stand with pride as garments act like a crucial boundary or “armour” between the raw human flesh and the battlefield that is the social world.

KNIGHT I

standing tall as silver catches the light, shedding layers of battles past and basking in the quiet resolve of comfort.

⟡ The Nest: Reclaimed silver upholstery fabric, silver woven fabric, and snap fastenings.
⟡ The Fabric Store: Black cotton bonded suiting.

knight II

guarded by sweeping curves, the contours of each limb is obscured within the folds, keeping the body beneath beyond the reach of judgement.

⟡ The Nest: Reclaimed black cotton dress fabric, pinstripe grey suiting, and black satin ribbon.
⟡ The Fabric Store: Grey wool coating and black cotton bonded suiting.

KNIGHT III

cloaked in black with glints of silver, the body is sheltered as long folds gather at their feet, claiming ground with quiet authority.

⟡ The Nest: Reclaimed silver woven and silver upholstery fabric. Reclaimed snap fastenings and zippers.
⟡ The Fabric Store: Black cotton bonded suiting.

KNIGHT IV

shoulders crowned with pauldrons, silver resting on the chest, they exist in a private sanctuary within a world too quick to judge.

⟡ The Nest: Reclaimed grey organza, silver woven fabric and black satin ribbon.
⟡ The Fabric Store: Grey wool coating fabric.

PHOTOSHOOT CREDITS

GARMENTS & STYLING:
⟢ Ava Percival (@percestudios)

PHOTOGRAPHY:
⟢ Locky Duclos (@lockyduclosphoto)

TALENT:
⟢ Taya Grabbe (@tayabliss_)
⟢ Ava Barker (@avabarkerr)
⟢ Ashton Halvey (asht9nn)
⟢ Hannan Mesmar (@hannanmesmar)

MAKEUP:
⟢ Layla Mohren (@facesby.layla)
⟢ Amelia (@l.turquoise)

HAIR:
⟢ Lily Hermans (@lily___lilac)

material selection

At the core of this collection is sustainability and circularity. All fabrics used are either reclaimed through The Nest (secondhand haberdashery), or deadstock from The Fabric Store. The notions have been sourced from The Nest, JackStock Haberdashery (deadstock), JimmyButtons, The Fabric Store or from previous projects to promote circularity. Working with reclaimed materials gives Ava the ability to create one of a kind, standalone garments by using what exists. This would not have been possible without The Nest’s immense generosity – thank you to them.

stay up to date with ava’s creative endeavours via instagram @percestudios ✧˖°.

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Ava Percival

Ava’s creativity stems from her lived experience and vulnerability. Ava derives inspiration from ambivalent feelings surrounding personal presentation, clothing, and traditional femininity. Her work parallels anti-fashion with subversive motifs, monochrome palettes, and injections of androgyny. She endeavours to design mindfully, striving to consider perspectives and preferences outside of her own.

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