HOLLY MACLEOD
Rapidly rising Scottish designer Holly Macleod’s designs have been featured on the likes of Drag race star Crystal Methyd, as well as musical powerhouses Steff London and Becky Hill.
Inspired by themes spanning surrealism, hyperfeminity and performance, Holly discusses how these themes have heavily impacted her creative practices, as well as her roots in Edinborough.
She has also collaborated with other FuzionEight creatives Ellie Graham and Amy McDiarmid.
“My parents always dressed me up in over the top looks growing up. I was always in bright colours, animal prints and fabulous brimmed hats. It definitely made me see clothing as a fun aspect of life rather than a necessity!”
You graduated from Edinburgh College of Art in 2018. How did Edinburgh influence your creative vision and design processes?
I’ve always lived in Scotland, my family originated from the Isle of Harris. I really love folklore and superstition so I often dive into my own history for inspiration. Looking at past rituals, religion, etc... but I always put a funny twist on it! Such as this collection where the snake have false teeth. To juxtapose the sinister with something humorous, to keep everything light.
“Fashion is absolutly for everyone and I hope to be inclusive of every size, shape and gender expression. We all deserve the chance to wear what we want and look fabulous wearing it!”
You take great inspiration from club kids and drag performers — what is it that draws you most to them? And why?
I have always looked up club kids and drag performers, they are so authentically and unapologetically them and that’s something I think we all should aspire to! Not to mention they always look fantastic, I love the amount of detail and effort they put into every look, they consider every part of their outfit down to the last detail. It’s art.
Drag Race’s Crystal Methyd can be seen in a lot of your designs, and she
always looks incredible! How did this creative collaboration between you both come about?
Crystal Methyd started following my page in 2018, I guess it was internet fate? And I thought she was fabulous so I followed her back and since then we have just been supporting each other on Instagram as we move through our careers! I loved seeing her on Drag Race I completely fell in love with her, I mean who couldn’t, she’s the sweetest, sexiest most hilarious queen! I am a Crystal stan!
You say you aim to, “reject the stereotypical values of the fashion industry” and “dare the consumer to take back control of their wardrobes”. Can you expand more upon these ideas?
I just want everyone to view fashion as something fun and enjoyable, I think when I was growing up anyway I heard so much about how if you were a certain age or size you shouldn’t wear certain things and never to clash patterns/colours etc
I know so many people who to this day are still scared of wearing colour/sequins/patterns because of this old way of thinking and I’m here to tell you, there’s really not many colours that don’t go together and I think if you wear something with confidence it’s going to look great! Fashion should be fun and we shouldn’t be scared of it.
Getting dressed is my favourite part of the day and I want to share it with everyone. Don’t be afraid to look over dressed, I think you should always look your best and anyone who says anything about it is just jealous!
I just want everyone to view fashion as something fun and enjoyable, I think when I was growing up anyway I heard so much about how if you were a certain age or size you shouldn’t wear certain things and never to clash patterns/colours etc
I know so many people who to this day are still scared of wearing colour/sequins/patterns because of this old way of thinking and I’m here to tell you, there’s really not many colours that don’t go together and I think if you wear something with confidence it’s going to look great! Fashion should be fun and we shouldn’t be scared of it.
Getting dressed is my favourite part of the day and I want to share it with everyone. Don’t be afraid to look over dressed, I think you should always look your best and anyone who says anything about it is just jealous!
Finally, what does the future hold in store for you ?
For now with my brand I’m just releasing designs as they come to me. After graduating I didn’t design anything new for a while as I had put a lot of pressure on myself to create a full collection and it was holding me back so I’m just making things as they come to me, it’s more organic and probably more exciting for my consumer as every so often I will have a new design/print to show! It also means everything I design I 100% love, it wasn’t just made to help bridge a gap in the collection. I want my customer to aspire to owning pieces and having the chance to save up for each piece so that purchases aren’t made in haste and are fully wanted! Hopefully will be a part of their wardrobe forever! Not fast throw away fashion!
I’ve actually been designing with a group of talented young designers for the new inclusive brand @studiohiii which is launching soon! I was so happy to be a part of that as it holds so many similar core values to my own work! I’m also currently working on a collaboration with my childhood friend @by.Eilish — I’m in the midst of creating a new print which will be used on a capsule collection of garments which will compliment her clay accessories! We haven’t decided on a name yet but the theme is bad bitches! Think flames and barbed wire but with a little bit of glam rock of course!
You can find more from Holly via ︎ or her official ︎
Read more about Ellie Graham and Amy McDiarmid here.
Photography ︎elliegggggggg
Styling ︎josh.tiger.s
MakeUp ︎mcdiarmidamy
Model ︎kendabella
Read more about Ellie Graham and Amy McDiarmid here.
Photography ︎elliegggggggg
Styling ︎josh.tiger.s
MakeUp ︎mcdiarmidamy
Model ︎kendabella