Brora x Campaign for Wool

BDes Project - University of Dundee

During my university studies, I had the opportunity to participate in a live brief from the luxury clothing brand Brora. The brief required a jumper design inspired by the Scottish town of Elgin and its surrounding areas, with the winning design being produced and sold as a limited edition for the Campaign for Wool's "Wool Week" 2021. I was fortunate enough to have my design chosen as the winning entry, allowing me to see it come to life as a physical product both in stores and online.

In this project, I explored the theme of broken patterns and interrupted design, taking inspiration from the erosion of Covesea Rocks, the weathering of Lossiemouth Footbridge, and the ruins of Elgin Cathedral. These structures, at different stages of their life, reflected the inevitable effects of time and nature. I was fascinated by how the lines between man-made and natural elements blur as time passes, and I sought to translate this idea through knitting.

By incorporating broken patterns into my design, I reflected the interplay between natural erosion and human-made structures, capturing the essence of timelessness - Brora's key ethos. The final jumper design combined subtle yet meaningful details, translating the interrupted and weathered patterns into a wearable piece that connects the past and present.

This project not only allowed me to explore the landscape’s influence on design but also gave me the incredible opportunity to see my vision realized as a product in Brora's collection.

Banner photo credit: Campaign for wool

Drawings + Development

I observed key elements from the surrounding area, including Elgin Cathedral and Lossiemouth Footbridge, extracting colours, patterns, and textures to inform later knit development. I used a variety of mediums and techniques to better understand the subject.

Knitting

Inspired by key elements in my drawings, I developed interrupted patterns and directional lines to reflect the weathered landscapes shaped by time and the elements. I explored this concept in my knitting by experimenting with punchcards and using colour thoughtfully to enhance the effect.

Designs in Context

Developing some of my knit samples into digital hand drawings. These illustrations give an idea of what the pattern would look like on a jumper and how it would look with different cuff and neckline colours.

The Winning Design!

This design was selected by Brora for their limited edition jumper, sold in stores and online for Campaign for Wool’s “Wool Week.” It was exciting to hear that they felt I had captured the essence of the brief and I thoroughly enjoyed the project from start to finish.