“She carries her own bag,” conveys the paradox of the female experience, existing as simultaneously hyper-visible and structurally invisible. While women’s bodies and behaviours are constantly scrutinised, the systems shaping everyday life, from workplaces to technologies to institutional standards, remain predominantly designed for the male default. In this context, visibility does not equal recognition, it signifies critique and an expectation of constant adjustment to environments that never considered women’s existence.
Inspired by Caroline Criado-Perez’s Invisible Women, the collection examines how women navigate these systemic data gaps. The process of adjustment is often normalised and framed as a universal experience, thus structural inequity remains unseen.
Consequently, femininity becomes a performative surface, required to remain visually pleasing and “agreeable” despite fundamental structural exclusion. Rather than presenting visibility as empowerment, this project explores its inherent tension and fragility. The aesthetic language merges “subversive prep” and “imperfect romance” juxtaposing softness and beauty with misalingment and disruption. Through subtle interference, contrast and intentional imbalance, the garments question the normalisation of being structurally overlooked while simultaneously following the unachievable beauty standards.
The collection is embodied by Iris, a muse who is confident, introspective and playfully observant of the systems that fail her. She carries a bag not as a accessory, but as a quiet collection of preparation. Within it are clips, ties, and small objects, tools she uses to subtly alter her clothing throughout the day, physically reshaping garments to fit a world that didn’t consider her. Iris does not move with resentment, she moves with affection and curiosity, reclaiming space through the very act of adjustment.
Photographed on location in the corporate interior the collection argues with, and against warm studio paper for the lookbook. Photography by Julia Schäfers; art direction and styling by me. Click any frame to open it full screen.
The full 51-page collection book — designed, art-directed and laid out by me. It opens with a letter from the designer and the concept statement, moves through the handbag research and the TU Delft editorial interview, then presents the line-up, the material and colour card, and every look with its editorial imagery, process spread and technical drawings.
drag sideways — click any spread to open the book
The full flat pack: front and back views for all eighteen garments, with construction callouts — blind side zippers, waistband facings, oversized sleeve plackets, collar stands, understitching, buttonholes, the layered leather fringe and the bobby-pin check print. Drawn in Illustrator alongside CLO3D mock-ups used to test volume and fit before cutting.
A year of the project in one book — concept building, the handbag research, print and textile experiments, the Makers Lab, CLO3D mock-ups, toiles, refits and the final realisation. Flip through it here, or jump to a chapter.
The 26 slides given at the final assessment — who I am as a designer, the research question, the concept, the design and realisation process, and the collection itself.