#NTUDEGREESHOW Spotlight: Zarah Ahmed

This latest #NTUDEGREESHOW Spotlight piece features BA (Hons) Fashion Knitwear Design and Knitted Textiles student Zarah Ahmed

From The Hyper Conceptual Body, Zarah Ahmed, BA (Hons) Fashion Knitwear Design and Knitted Textiles, 2019.

In the run-up to the Art and Design Degree Show, we will be sharing a series of student projects from across the 26 participating courses through #NTUDEGREESHOW Spotlights.

The Hyper Conceptual Body

For my degree project I have designed and knitted a gender fluid conceptual fashion collection entitled The Hyper Conceptual Body. The project is an exploration self-image and the human body, drawing inspiration from images of bulbous, fleshy grotesque body masses. The key concept behind the collection is the intricacies of skin and the beauty in voluminous bodies. Influenced by the works of Jenny Saville, Sarah Lucas and Ernesto Neto, I experimented with materials such as latex and sponge to develop flesh-like tactile textiles. Combined with knitwear, I have designed a collection that promotes body diversity and skin diversity.

From The Hyper Conceptual Body, Zarah Ahmed, BA (Hons) Fashion Knitwear Design and Knitted Textiles, 2019.

My project reflects my own thoughts on my body and is a statement on societal attitudes towards the human form. The yarns that I have chosen to work with almost replicate the human skin through colour, weight and texture. The main message running through my work is that “everybody has skin and it comes in all shapes, shades and textures, and that should be celebrated”. Working with knitwear has really allowed me to explore these ideas through delicate stitch techniques and complex silhouettes. I believe as a designer it is my responsibility to use fashion to highlight and celebrate diversity.

Zarah Ahmed

Book tickets for the Catwalk Shows here.

Find out more about the BA (Hons) Fashion Knitwear Design and Knitted Textiles Degree Show here.