My late mother and father have always been a dominant influence in both my decisions and creative thinking. Both parents were born and have always lived in Dungloe, a place which has provided another important source of inspiration. I was determined to create a collection that embodied the essence of what is important to my parents and capture qualities associated with Dungloe. My father is a fisherman who collects seaweed and grows oysters, so I took inspiration from the sea, the boats, the nets, and the fishing boats. The winkle scallop shells reminded me of my late mother, who loved pearls and wore them as jewellery. I researched the planted growth of the sea bed and was inspired by the sea's textures. I liked the ruggedness of Dungloe and how it conflicts with the beauty of the seashell pearls. Sustainability is at the core of this collection. All fabrics are upcycled and re-fashioned from redundant stock giving the fabrics a second chance! Each fabric was selected to compliment my theme and design direction.