At the start of my project, I was curious why England, unlike many other countries, does not have a broadly recognised national dress. With our richly documented social and fashion history, I was interested to know why there appears to be a gap in our culture when it comes to national dress. However, through my research I came to understand that the very idea of having a fixed national dress is in most cases a rather romantic depiction of history, and does not reflect the true nature of a country’s constantly evolving cultural identity. I also found that England is incredibly culturally dense and diverse. Therefore, representing all experiences and expressions of Englishness in one garment is impossible. Instead, I wanted to delve into referencing the traditional textiles and crafts of England, using linen and smocking to reconnect with these folk crafts through the lens of designing for a contemporary individual. I also explored developing a pattern and textile motif using the outlines of English counties, reflecting how in many instances, English people seem to identify more strongly with where in England they are from than in being from England generally. My intention was to curate this motif and craft techniques in a garment for myself, that could also be interpreted by others into their own personal designs, creating a variety of different national dresses which are individual yet cohesive.
