Nodes of elegance and freedom spotlighted at Kingston BA Fashion’s graduate show by School of Art student Spencer Lloyd Thornton in east London on June 10.
Influenced by 1840s womenswear and 1980s power suits, 24-year-old Rustington-native Spencer Thornton drew upon his inspirations to create his collection ‘Midnight Ensemble’.
The collection veers away from the rigidity of traditional menswear and boldly declares that freedom of expression can enhance masculinity rather than minimise.
“As a designer I never see femininity and masculinity as clothing categories with limits. I see them both as forever evolving,” said Spencer.
Challenging gender norms in fashion comes across in the collection which created menswear drapes that echo fluidity and luxury.
Additionally, ideas of gender fluidity has been an age-old topic from the likes of David Bowie and Mick Jagger in the 70s to Dries Van Noten’s Fall/Winter 2025 Menswear collection.
Dedication to his craft and a precise eye for detail stands as the root cause of Spencer’s artistry.
“I’ve sought to shake things up & create a collection that is exciting, avant-garde & exquisite.
“Delicate detailing & opulent fabrics are essential elements of the collection.”
Equally, Spencer also cites his placement year in San Francisco as an important influence for this collection where the skills that he attained specialising in draping her honed.
“I had a fantastic time in San Francisco’s Academy of Art University.
“Over there I met so many great people, learnt a lot and improved my pattern cutting and drawing skills which has made me flourish in final year and I’ve been able to showcase the skills I have learnt in my projects.”
Kingston University’s prestigious catwalk show has acted as a launch pad for several designers and this year’s showcased 22 designers sharing six looks each spanning menswear and womenswear.
The show gives young designers the opportunity to shine in front of industry tastemakers and family members alike.
“To me, high quality making & attention to detail is critical.
“I’m lucky to have a positive attitude and am really committed to getting the most from my degree,” said Spencer.
Commenting on the show, which is sponsored by fashion brands Dewhirst and ME+EM, BA Fashion course leader David Frizell said it demonstrated the quality of graduates studying the course, which is known for producing studio-ready designers with purpose and authenticity.
“The fashion projects at Kingston have allowed me to expand my approach, to really focus and shake things up whilst exploring and developing my interests and passions,” said Spencer.
This allowed Spencer to work on high-profile projects commissioned by global brands Banana Republic, Zara and Christian Raeburn.
For Spencer, fashion and textiles acts as a vessel where he can truly express his individuality and this desire is prevalent across all looks in ‘Midnight Ensemble’.
“Fashion is a place where people can be whoever they want to be and it provides us with the freedom to express ourselves in any way we want,” said Spencer.
You can find Spencer Lloyd Thornton’s full graduate show here.
All images courtesy of Spencer Thornton
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