Designer Interview: Cleo Prickett on Alexander McQueen and multi-functional clothing

Cleo Prickett was always a creative child, constantly drawn to the possibility of expression and reinvention that fashion offers.

"I was always leaning towards doing art or something creative," she reflects. "I started drawing from about the age of eight, and it was my favourite subject in school. I do remember one day when I was about 13, going up to my room and blaring music and styling up all these looks on myself with hair and make-up and taking pictures. It was like I was trying to create characters with these dress-ups, and I remember thinking how fun it was. It became a regular thing for me to do for a period of time. In a way, it was the beginning of my fashion journey. Now I just blare music when I'm making or designing clothes - it puts me in a good dreamy creative state."

After getting a diploma in Pattern Cutting and Design in Sallynoggin College of Further Education, Prickett completed a degree in London College of Fashion, specialising in Womenswear Design and Technology. She also had some incredible work experiences - she was employed by Roland Mouret as assistant designer and Mary Katranzou as print designer, and also interned with Matthew Williamson and Alexander McQueen. Prickett says that as a student designer, she was hugely inspired by the work of Alexander McQueen, who often combined avant garde ideas with surprising yet perfectly executed tailoring.

"For me, he was/is the perfect balance of a fantastical style of fashion," says Prickett, "coupled with the amazing cut and craftsmanship of Savile Row tailoring. Ellery is my current love - the best way I can describe their clothing is wearable, futuristic, tailored and surreal, with a hint of Victorian period drama!"

One of the showstopping pieces from Prickett's new collection is a truly stunning jacket, which is a two-in-one piece. Tailored, couture, innovative and offering two striking looks in one garment, the jacket embodies Prickett's detail-oriented design philosophy.

"I love the creative and technical side of fashion," she notes. "My brand is focused on contemporary tailoring for women. I use a lot of draping and 3D work to create shapes that are unique, but also subtly sculpted around the body. Even if it's a loose fitting shape, I have thought about every angle and measurement of that piece of clothing in relation to the female figure."

Prickett's desire to create multi-functional clothing is seen in many of her pieces, including a trenchcoat that can be worn in three completely different, fashion-forward ways.

"A lot of my designs can transform to have a second look," she explains. "They're inspired by modern women, who have travel-heavy lifestyles and a need for a streamlined wardrobe, with stylish-yet-easy-to-pack versatile clothing. There is a big sustainable nature to my design. I think of fashion in terms of investment rather than being throwaway - my clothes provide innovation but also value and quality."

Cleo Prickett's full collection is available at cleoprickett.com. She is also stocked by Atrium Dublin in Powerscourt Townhouse and Beautiful South in Rathmines.