Patrick McDowell delivered a new collection to London for the Autumn/Winter 2023 season in a reworking of Cinderella’s narrative intermingled with his own sustainable vision. The event was held at The Mills Fabrica estate and included a reimagined and recreated fairy tale titled ‘Cinderella Shall Go to the Football.’
Patrick mixed the luxury and glamour of the Cinderella narrative with culturally recognisable sportswear to further their appreciation of strong women. He truly put the feminine in football, and we saw the Princesses dazzling on new fresh turf in Swarovski jewelled boots and majestic designs.
Patrick brought the fandom of Liverpudlian glamour to make an unconventional belle of the ball.
Patrick’s label is an independent brand based in the heart of London. Founded in 2018, the brand has solidified itself as a leading voice on the global fashion stage that embodies the designer’s mission for reinventing luxury through a sustainable mindset. This designer has worked hard since graduating from the elite Central Saint Martins to rethink the position of a fashion designer as we know it today.
Patrick sought to advance Queer culture in football, which has historically been an alienating area for many. Patrick addressed this in the collection by creating pieces that defy gender stereotypes, blurring the borders between princess and punter.
After their fantastic success at the Euros, Patrick joined together with The Lioness’s top player Alex Greenwood to portray the powerful woman leading the way in a time when football has never been so feminine. Alex walked the runway with a member of The Bloomsbury Football Club, who made an unexpected visit. To close the runway, Patrick sent out each model holding hands with aspiring football students, this was a particularly special moment and was a nod to the next generation of creatives and sporting professionals.
Patrick created fun references to the famed rivalry between Everton FC and Liverpool FC using colour blocking, as we saw both clubs’ trademark colour palettes contrasted on the runway. Strikes of the trademark red and chartreuse contrast with the vivid kit colours, combined with splashes of Cinderella blue and accentuated with noir throughout. Prints featured dried flowers from Patrick’s last runway, football pitch mushrooms and magnificent rains, amazing crystals, and a Red Aids ribbon, all of which will benefit Patrick’s continued association with Positive East, London’s premier HIV charity.
Partick says “For me, making clothes is a form of storytelling. You can learn a lot about who I am and what is important to me from the clothes I make. It’s about feeling and looking great without a huge impact on the planet. It’s about lifting your head a little higher or feeling like YES – I can do that thing I thought I couldn’t. This collection celebrates that, it’s unashamedly me and I’m proud of that because I wouldn’t be where I am today without the help of my clothes like these.”
Images by Lorenzo Berni