HOMEGROWN talent and up-and-coming fashion designer Kerrie Alexander will leave you longing after her wonderful collection of handmade waxed coats just in time for those April showers.
Designer, maker and founder of KerrieALDO, Kerrie Alexander, initially began her higher education studies on a fine art portfolio course at Dundee college.
Kerrie Alexander
This then led on to an HNC and HND in fashion and textile design which subsequently paved the way for a first-class honours degree in fashion design for industry at Herriot Watt University.
Throughout her years of studying, Kerrie continued to expand on her expertise in pattern cutting, garment construction and computer-aided design. The significance of research and design in fashion is clearly communicated through her pieces.
Research is one of the most important parts of the design process; it is integral to coming up with new ideas and keeping things fresh. New ideas for shapes, fabrics and colourways often start to appear at the research stage, laying a foundation for the designs, which can be developed and applied to a signature style.
Selected to showcase her menswear collection by credited designer Mark Elie at the Covecot Galleries in Edinburgh shortly after graduating, it was clear Kerrie was a rising star.
Further success quickly accumulated after the portfolio of work and fashion film which supported the showcase collection gained the attention of famed French fashion blogger Diane Pernett. The fashion film featured on Pernett’s reputable blog and provided Kerrie with her first taste of notoriety.
Post-education, Kerrie found herself working in schools delivering fashion workshops until she started working alongside Young Scottish Designer of the year Hayley Scanlan in her Dundee-based studio.
Black waxed cotton hooded jacket, £190
In 2014 Kerrie unleashed her true passion, launching her own website of ready-to-wear, high-quality handmade outerwear.
Kerrie notes: “The aim of the brand is to create a unique, sustainable and bespoke product which is made to last. All of the pieces from the collection are hand-made with great time and care right here in Scotland. All fabrics are sourced in the UK when possible – sometimes using fabric that has been made in my hometown of Dundee. The coats and jackets are designed to be investment pieces, which give the attention to detail and quality that is just not available on the high street.”
Navy lightweight waxed Raglan mens pullover, £150
True to her word, each garment is handmade with superior quality and a heavy sprinkling of time and care. With a bespoke coat service available, Kerrie is staying true to her original roots in offering customisable, one-of-a kind pieces to customers.
Perhaps the greatest achievement for the brand was being selected by a panel of industry insiders to showcase her pieces at Glasgow’s SWG3 for Scotland RE:Designed in November 2015.
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