Profile: Kitty Carr-Lake – Only Natural Design Competitions

Kitty Carr-Lake

University of Leeds

I am a third-year student studying Fashion Design Innovation, with a strong passion for creative textiles and how they inform and elevate designs. Throughout my degree, I have developed a deep interest in textile design, particularly in how materials and surface techniques can add storytelling, depth, and emotion to garments. Recently, I’ve discovered a real passion for knitwear design after completing a Shima Seiki design and programming course. Working with the software has opened up exciting possibilities for creating innovative surface textures and fabric structures. I love experimenting with stitch types, yarns, and construction methods to produce knitwear that feels fresh, meaningful, and sustainable. This has inspired much of my recent work, where I explore the balance between technology and handcraft, modernity and tradition. Outside of university projects, I continue to explore my creativity through crochet, often designing and making my own clothes. Crochet allows me to work more intuitively and hands-on, and I enjoy learning new techniques and challenging myself to develop original designs. It also gives me space to reflect and refine my ideas in a more personal and expressive way. Sustainability is at the core of my design values. I strive to create garments that are timeless, well-crafted, and responsible, using thoughtful material choices and long-lasting design principles. Whether I’m developing digital knitwear or crocheting by hand, I aim to create work that reflects both innovation and care. I’m excited to continue evolving as a designer and am always eager to learn new skills, collaborate on creative projects, and push the boundaries of fashion through textile exploration.

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EROSURE

Category: Apparel

Competitions: Fashion Competition 2025

The inspiration for this project stemmed from the issue of coastal erosion; A pressing environmental concern that I felt compelled to address through my creative work. To raise awareness in a meaningful and engaging way, I developed a brand called “EROSURE”, a name derived from the word “erosion”, symbolizing both the problem and a design-led response to it. The project features a curated collection of sixteen fully fashioned knit outfits, each named after a coastline currently impacted by erosion. This naming concept was chosen to highlight specific locations affected by the issue, and to spread awareness about them. Although coastal erosion is destructive and often devastating, I was intrigued by the idea of translating its visual impact into something softer and more hopeful through fashion. This led to a focus on texture development and a palette of beautiful, neutral tones, echoing the natural elegance of the coast. In line with this vision, I aimed to create a sleek, minimal aesthetic for the brand, reflecting my personal perception of coastal landscapes. Sustainability and timelessness were key values throughout the design process. I developed versatile, seasonless pieces that encourage longevity in wear, alongside everyday staples designed to become wardrobe essentials. To ensure the highest quality and environmental responsibility, I sourced luxury, sustainable yarns locally, emphasising craftsmanship and care. All garments in the collection are fully fashioned to minimise waste during the production process and to be more sustainable. The result is a collection that not only tells an important environmental story but also invites consumers to invest in garments they will cherish, preserve, and wear with purpose. From this project I have put forward "The Happisburgh Dress" - a fully fashioned knit dress, with flared sleeves and a dropped waist.