@rileyhundleywoodell in look 4 and 5 for my thesis collection inspired by the new romantics and leigh bowery.
this year long study on the new romantics and leigh bowery began in march 2025 when I had the opportunity to visit the tate modern’s exhibition of bowery in london. from that moment i stepped into the exhibit, I fell down the rabbit hole of fascination and deep exploration of not only bowery’s work but of the 1980s uk club subculture group known as the new romantics. this movement embraced bold ideas of creative self expression, identity, perception, and selfhood by challenging societal norms through fashion, music, performance, and art.
As I developed garments alongside my research, I also began to discover an emphasis of my creative self expression and personal identity. ultimately, my year long thesis became an homage to my own evolving identity of who I am. Each garment I’ve created serves itself as physical manifestation of my identity where every thread contributed to my narrative of creative self expression.
look 4 is an oversized shawl collar wool coat with manipulated shredded silk georgette with satin lining, a silk brocade napoleon jacket, and pleated trousers with a brocade hat with ostrich and peacock feathers.
look 5 is a wool coating coat with an exaggerated shawl collar, a wool shirting with bobby pins fringe, and a silk wool skirt.
photography by: @zachbergren
makeup and hair by. @feschyn
model and talent: @rileyhundleywoodell
garments by: @_andreswar_
@esiieshun wears look 1 from my senior thesis while walking down the @fitnyc future of fashion 2026 graduate runway show 💚
#fashiondesign #fashion #runway #sewing #fashionschool
the last ten weeks was nothing but dedication, challenges, and endless hours of sewing to present to you my graduating thesis collection. i am filled with sm joy to have these two looks be my finale of my year long study of the new romantics and leigh bowery. forever grateful for all the support and love from my family and friends who helped me reach my potential. here’s another post dedicated to my creative development and progress of my two thesis looks :) <3
nadrojaiam has checked in look no.3
Inspired by Leigh Bowery and the New Romantics’ ideas of identity, perception, and selfhood, my pre-thesis collection explores the 1980s UK club subculture that celebrates an overemphasis on creative self expression. nadrojaiam wears a brown houndstooth cashmere coat with button loops, a draped cape with hand-sewn detailing, with a brown satin lining, and a brown complimentary hat with ostrich feathers.
shots by @zachbergren
hair by @carawestwood
makeup by @kk.aguirre
designs by @_andreswar_
@soyhawa has checked in look no.2
Inspired by Leigh Bowery and the New Romantics’ ideas of identity, perception, and selfhood, my pre-thesis collection explores the 1980s UK club subculture that celebrates an overemphasis on creative self expression. @soyhawa wears an Italian pinstripe wool coat that has been gathered at the seams with a cream white satin lining, a necktie hand sewn with organza peony flowers, and a black cashmere hat with ostrich feathers.
shots by @zachbergren
hair by @carawestwood
makeup by @kk.aguirre
designs by @_andreswar_
@irissryan has checked in look no.1
Inspired by Leigh Bowery and the New Romantics’ ideas of identity, perception, and selfhood, my pre-thesis collection explores the 1980s UK club subculture that celebrates an overemphasis on creative self expression. @irissryan wears a wool cashmere coat manipulated with shredded silk chiffon with a burgundy satin lining, a cropped jacket made from using coffee burlap bags, a fitted train skirt with a button placket, and a wool hat with ostrich feathers.
shots by @zachbergren
hair by @carawestwood
makeup by @kk.aguirre
designs by @_andreswar_
over the past fifteen weeks, I wanted to challenge myself to create three coats w/ three complimentary hats. I never made coats nor hats before so why not? this entire semester I had sm fun creating these looks, especially having all the love n support from my friends in the studio. just wanted to create a post sharing my process and progress pictures of all three looks :)
