Fashion - Bachelor

THE THREAD CONTINUES

Versitell explores the intersection of commercial fashion and sustainable design through versatile garments made with longevity in mind. 'The Thread Continues' honours generational knowledge through textile reuse, modular design and durable construction, challenging contemporary consumption habits while reimagining the potential of existing materials.

Jemma Ussher-Peens

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‘The Thread Continues’ explores the fading craftsmanship of fashion and questions what we stand to lose if generational knowledge surrounding our clothes disappears. Grounded in my own family history, the collection draws inspiration from my grandmother, Annette Ussher and her upbringing in the Australian Outback, where clothing was made from necessity. A designer without recognition, her story reflects a generation whose skills were shaped by resourcefulness and creativity. Looking beyond nostalgia, the collection questions what these older values could mean in contemporary fashion, where speed and convenience increasingly overshadow the skilled process of making.

Through Versitell, I design not only with aesthetics but with thoughtful construction and modular design extending the garment’s life. Each piece prioritises durability, versatility and the ability to evolve with the wearer. Natural indigo dyeing, intricate patternmaking, draping and innovative magnetic closures are threaded throughout the collection, exploring the relationship between craftsmanship, individuality and functionality.

‘The Thread Continues’ hopes to challenge my generation and future generations to learn, make and experiment. By understanding the time and skill it takes to create a garment, we can begin to value our clothes differently and recognise that their story doesn’t have to end when the trend does. Threaded between inheritance and individuality, the collection is an invitation to carry knowledge forward and to learn something new every day.

SILHOUETTE ONE

SILHOUETTE TWO

SILHOUETTE THREE

SILHOUETTE FOUR

Textiles

One of the biggest pieces of advice I have taken from my grandfather, Arland Ussher, is to learn something new every day, whether through reading, experimenting, or a life lesson. This has influenced my approach to textiles, choosing to experiment with natural indigo and finding resourceful ways to use the vintage textiles passed down to me.

Durable materials such as denim and leather reference the Australian outback attire and the need for protection and garments that lasted decades. I have used deadstock stretch cotton drill from The Fabric Store throughout most silhouettes to provide stretch across the width, allowing the garments to move with the wearer and accommodate weight fluctuation.

Starting my own natural indigo vat has required research, time and dedication to perfect, and I enjoyed the process of exploring the hands-on techniques. However, I wanted a more free-form pattern, so twisting the cotton drill into a spiral and dyeing it with a diluted vat became the method used for my accent panels. Also, experimenting with shibori techniques in my final look to replicate the silk my great-aunt Rosemary Penfold passed down to me. This is seen in silhouettes one and four.

With the undeniable influence of artificial indigo throughout fashion history, I want consumers to appreciate how natural indigo fades and wears over time, while recognising the environmental impacts of synthetic dyes. I aimed to show the possibilities of re-dyeing and repurposing old material and encourage more conscious, circular approaches to fashion buying and production.

METHOD & CONCEPT

Inspired by my grandmother’s resourcefulness, I have approached this collection with the belief that existing materials hold endless possibilities. Repurposing fabrics and transforming offcuts into finished garments has allowed me to explore how creativity can reduce waste without compromising design. I hope these looks pay homage to her life and encourage future generations to recognise the value of making something from what already exists. We have so much to learn from those who came before us, and I hope this collection inspires others to carry that knowledge forward.

MOOD BOARD

Jemma Ussher-Peens

Versitell explores the intersection of commercial fashion and sustainable design through versatile garments made with longevity in mind. 'The Thread Continues' honours generational knowledge through textile reuse, modular design and durable construction, challenging contemporary consumption habits while reimagining the potential of existing materials.

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