June 23rd - Written by Ellis Brown

3 weeks on from the class of 2025 Fashion BA show at Central Saint Martins, we talked to 2 of the students behind some of the most exciting looks we have seen go down a runway in a long time, Luke Hemingway and Izzy Dickens.

How did you find the process of creating your final collection?

Luke:

“Silly and fun”

Izzy:

“My collection, ‘I am Telling You Because You Are Far Away’, reflects on my childhood in Thanet, which I left at age ten. It explores memory, loss, and what we carry with us: friends, places, objects. I revisited old drawings and collected weathered items from the shore, using them to inform the silhouette, texture, and colour. I found the process of creating the collection really exciting, a lot of the garments I made weren’t sewn, some were woven or had interlocking seams, so it was fun to get out of a traditional way of making.”

Izzy Dickens looks 1 - 3

Where do you tend to find your inspiration?

Luke:

“The things I care most about - Family, friends and where I’m from.”

Izzy:

“A large part of the inspiration came from old drawings. But more broadly, I’m usually drawn to things that no longer exist. That might be a building, a person, a garment, or an object, whatever it is, I’m interested in its ghost, and in finding ways to fill in the gaps it left. I like to collect evidence of its existence in the form of photographs and found objects, and I usually revisit the place itself, even if it's changed. I also use Facebook a lot in my research, particularly local history groups and archive pages. They’re rich in imagery and often offer details you’d never find elsewhere. I suppose I’m always looking for fragments—places where memory and material overlap.”

What’s next for you?

Luke:

“I’m finishing my Dream Ceremony film, and I want to keep developing my practice, finding new ways to support my pals in the North West”

Izzy:

“Next, I'm interested to see how my work would look in a more wearable, ready-to-wear context. I'm starting on the MA in September, and I want to push my textile work further and learn new skills like print and knit so that I can become more versatile in my practice. Long term, I’m not entirely sure if fashion is where I’ll stay, but I’m enjoying the process at the moment. Right now, I’m open to where the work leads me, as long as it continues to feel meaningful.”

Luke Hemingway looks 6, 7 & 3

What is one piece of advice you wish you had known when joining the course?

Luke:

“Be a sponge, be open to everything.”

Izzy:

“You don’t need to have a defined style or direction figured out when you start. It can be intimidating to see people who seem sure of themselves and their aesthetic, but it’s important not to compare yourself too much. This is the time to push your taste, try things that feel unfamiliar, and break out of your comfort zone. Not every project is going to be the best thing you’ve ever made, but it should always teach you something. You won’t have this kind of creative freedom again in your career, so don’t fence yourself in too early. Use the space to surprise yourself!”