Reimagining Heritage: Inside Iris Little’s Zero-Waste Graduate Collection
Iris Little (BA Hons, Class of 2026),
There is a distinct magic in limitations. For Sustainable Fashion graduate Iris Little (BA Hons, Class of 2026), the design process wasn't born from a blank canvas and rolls of pristine, factory-ordered textiles. Instead, it began with a question: What can we create with what we already have?
The answer is a stunning, zero-waste graduate collection that bridges the gap between historical resourcefulness and contemporary design.
The Inspiration: The Adaptive Spirit of the Travelling Circus
Iris’ collection draws deep inspiration from the history of travelling circuses. Historically, these nomadic troupes were masters of adaptation—repairing, reinventing, and making magic out of whatever materials they could carry or source along the way.
Embracing this exact ethos, Iris turned away from virgin fabrics and looked to the local community. Through generous donations of surplus textiles—including beautifully aged, reclaimed curtains—the foundation of the collection was born.
"Nothing has been wasted—not the materials, nor the stories attached to them."
Behind the Scenes: A Top-Secret Shoot at the Apollo
To fully capture the spirit of performance and heritage stitched into these garments, Iris pulled off a spectacular creative feat. Back in May, she quietly rented out the historic Apollo Theatre for a top-secret shoot to document the collection—and I was absolutely thrilled when she asked me to be her photographer for the occasion.
Working in that space was an absolute dream. The grand, retro architecture of the theatre provided the absolute perfect backdrop for her theme. Framed by the venue's timeless atmosphere and dramatic character, the models brought the circus-inspired collection to life in front of my lens. The setting perfectly mirrored the garments themselves: a beautiful reimagining of the past for a modern audience.
From the Studio to the Runway
Seeing these garments transition from our quiet, atmospheric shoot at the theatre to the energy of the live graduate fashion show was nothing short of amazing. Her pieces looked absolutely incredible under the runway lights.
The absolute highlight of the night? The collective, audible gasp of delight from the audience the exact moment the stunning bow detail was revealed on one of her headline pieces. It was a beautiful, triumphant moment for an incredibly talented designer.
Scroll through the gallery below to see our exclusive images from the Apollo Theatre shoot, capturing the raw textures, intricate construction details, and performance-ready silhouettes of the collection.
