My Project ‘Britain Scrutinised’ was inspired by the awkwardness I felt around English patriotism due to the negative connotations I had attached to the term. Investigating culture and satire, I aimed to produce a garment which could denounce and celebrate depictions of England. As part of my outcome, I incorporated zips into the garment which would conceal and reveal those aspects. My final outcome is a midi-skirt and jacket, which on it rests a shoulder garment to reflect the baggage associated with the term ‘Britain’. Using textiles, I crochet ribbons to reference May Pole dancing and Morris dancing, while using machine stitch as a method of drawing to satirise figures such as Boris Johnson, Rishi Sunak and Queen Elizabeth.
Here I explored traditional English ceremonies and events and I collaged imagery to visualise their unique nature. Further on, I asked what words people associate with ‘England’ and responded with draping and designs. I also explored political satire and took inspiration from the show ‘Spitting Image’, to machine stitch certain British figures.