Katharine Hamnett and Patrick McDowell photographed by Lorenzo Berni
MAY 14, 2021 - Sustainable fashion designers Katharine Hamnett and Patrick McDowell launch Reimagine collection in support of British businesses and fight back against the negative impact of Brexit.
"The only way we are going to get out of this shit, is together. HELP. Work together."
Katharine Hamnett
Throughout this collection, Patrick continues to implement sustainable design practices by re-imagining each jacket in London. Working closely with London based studio’s , to create a new cropped silhouette and adding the collection’s signature "HELP " print with water based screen printers, mesh and blade. Katharine’s iconic Slogan t-shirt’s, are made using GOTS Certified cotton printed in the UK, staying true to the pairs vision of a fairer fashion industry for all.
Brexit is having a huge impact on British sustainable designers and the industry as a whole. Experiencing new import charges, delays on deliveries and extra paper work, Together Hamnett and McDowell are fighting back.
‘Working on Reimagine Katharine Hamnett x Patrick McDowell has been a dream come true. Katharine is the original proof that sustainability can be sexy and conscious. Brexit has negatively impacted and directly effected the British fashion industry and together we are taking a stand. I think that while "HELP" is humorous - it captures the mood and feeling of now so well. Brexit always was a bad decision and the lack of conviction and organization from this conservative government, is hurting sustainable fashion designers in the UK. -Patrick McDowell
A graduate of Central Saint Martins, Katharine Hamnett launched her brand in 1979 with a range of eclectic women’s designs; menswear followed in 1981. That year, also saw her release the first of her many slogan tees. Sustainability and ethical production became of prime importance, further shaking up what was expected of a global brand. Katharine Hamnett London re-launched in 2017 with reissues of many classic archive unisex pieces that are as relevant today as they always were.
Patrick McDowell is based in London and started his career studying fashion design at Central Saint Martins. While learning his craft, Patrick interned at Burberry, working under Christopher Bailey before going on to launch his own brand in 2018. In 2019 Patrick was nominated by Anna Wintour for the Stella McCartney “Today for Tomorrow” Award. In 2020 Patrick became a Graduate Fashion Week Global Ambassador while also receiving a British Fashion Award nomination. At the beginning of 2021, he was appointed Sustainability Design Director of the Italian women's wear brand Pinko and continues to work across the fashion industry developing Reimagine collections.
