The Chaos Theory is the inspiration behind Jennifer Morris’ collection. Structured garments with solid form are constructed using colours and fabrics that have movement and unpredictability, therefore descending into chaos.
Jennifer uses strong blocks of colour that burst and challenge one another with the odd pattern added for good measure. From yellow and burnt orange to deep blue and purple with surprising black and silver. The materials she uses are also varied and volatile including heavy felt to delicate silk and Lurex embossed velvet across a wholesome range of jackets, evening gowns, and even a jumpsuit. The collision of distinctive textures, colours and styles produces a collection of individual pieces.
A prominent detail that unites the collection is the soft 'tufting', a technique that Jennifer developed during her MA Fashion Design Technology, Womenswear at LCF. Threads pulled through the fabric and knotted produce a texture that is fur like and can been seen on shoulders and around hem and necklines achieving a dramatic silhouette. Jennifer has also created a selection of cascading 'tufted' necklaces, that “are supposed to be more accessible and easy to wear so you can make a statement without having to buy into a whole jacket”.
In a room where each designer's stand offers something completely different from the next and are battling out their identities, Jennifer’s garments at first appear modest, quietly at odds with themselves and the other pieces in the collection. Each piece is a solo experiment, an individual specimen.
“My collection is for a certain taste. It is elegant but not trendy. I am not thinking about a young, target audience. There is a lot of evening wear.” With long dresses and the Charleston-esque ‘tufting’, Jennifer’s garments certainly have glamour, though there is a staple shirt in there for daytime.
“My collection is for a certain taste. It is elegant but not trendy. I am not thinking about a young, target audience. There is a lot of evening wear.” With long dresses and the Charleston-esque ‘tufting’, Jennifer’s garments certainly have glamour, though there is a staple shirt in there for daytime.
Magic and natural phenomenon inspire Jennifer's hybrid designs and thus buck trends and break rules, yet they are surprisingly sustainable. Each garment could become a classic statement piece in your wardrobe that will wow at dinner parties from season to season. Altogether a mind boggling, eye popping experimental mix of texture and colour that serves to intrigue and inspire.
Jennifer’s future plans include some immediate time off to recuperate and renew inspiration for next season’s collection. She also hopes to show in Paris with the aim of capturing the interest of the European market, where she feels her designs are best suited.
