Graduation Project
A study of devotion, desire and defiance
Storytelling through contemporary womenswear with refined, wearable designs. Blending emotion with femininity through silhouettes and contrasting themes.
My design approach focuses on combining emotionally expressive designs alongside commercially wearable garments.
Across my work, I value thoughtful design, strong visual narratives and emotional connection, aiming to create garments that allow individuals to express confidence and individuality.
I strive to balance creativity with functionality, producing collections that are refined whilst remaining relevant to the modern consumer.
— Phoebe Lockett
Forbidden Fruits explores the tension between innocence and temptation through dark romanticism, gothic themes, Catholic symbolism and contemporary femininity. Inspired by gothic architecture through the use of church doors, gates and walls, alongside religious imagery and themes of devotion and desire.
This collection combines soft draping, lace textures and structured silhouettes to create an expressive womenswear collection, creating garments that feel intimate yet powerful.
Colour · Consumer · Mood
Forbidden Fruits combines draping, lace textures and structured tailoring to create silhouettes that feel expressive however wearable. Fitted forms are contrasted with softer layered elements, reflecting the duality between fragility and control that runs throughout the collection. The garments are designed to evoke a sense of mystery and emotional depth while maintaining a contemporary approach to womenswear. A dark monochrome palette reinforces the gothic influence of the collection, while delicate lace, mesh and textured fabrics introduce softness and femininity. Contrasting materials are used to create tension throughout the designs, reflecting the conceptual themes of temptation, vulnerability and empowerment. Using self-produced knitted fabrics adds a unique and innovative dimension to the Forbidden Fruits collection, strengthening both its conceptual identity and craftsmanship. By developing custom knitted textiles, the collection becomes more personal and design led, allowing the fabrics themselves to communicate the themes of tension and vulnerability explored throughout the garments. The knitted textures introduce depth, movement and individuality, making each look feel more experimental and visually distinctive.
The use of handmade knit also reflects a strong focus on craftsmanship and slow design, contrasting against mass produced fashion and reinforcing the collection’s emotional and sustainable qualities. Through these details, the collection aims to create pieces that feel visually striking while remaining accessible to the modern consumer. Positioned within the contemporary alternative womenswear market, Forbidden Fruits targets young women seeking individuality, emotional expression and modern femininity through fashion. The collection aligns with the growing popularity of dark romantic aesthetics, gothic inspired fashion and identity driven garments within contemporary culture and social media trends. By combining conceptual storytelling with commercially aware design, Forbidden Fruits offers a modern perspective on femininity, exploring how clothing can become a form of emotional expression, empowerment and self-identity. The collection challenges traditional perceptions of femininity by embracing contrast, vulnerability and empowerment, creating a modern womenswear narrative that feels both intimate and unapologetically bold.