Titled the C a t a l y s t Autumn/Winter ‘18 collection, Ruairi Oliver McCaffrey has explored the concept of capture and escape with his designs, with the collection being a reflection and reaction to the de-evolution of ideas and tolerance in the developed world.
Ruairi, who is originally from Fermanagh in Northern Ireland, has interests including photography and kayaking, and when designing the collection, explored protection, comfort, functionality all fed through a prism of vulnerability to subvert its original context.
He looked at the relationship with garments and their purpose when designing, as well as comfort and restriction, taking motifs such as quilting and drawstring - conventional elements often used to bring comfort to the wearer - and maximising them to the point of challenging its use.
Traditional notions of menswear, such as military detailing and utility, are set against uncompromising and almost alien silhouettes, often referencing traditionally feminine details and garments, such as frills, dresses and skirts. There is a constant to and fro between fabrication, comfort, and gender, and although this collection is presented as menswear, it is designed to be inclusive, while also pondering the question of appropriate dress.
Ruairi has completed a selection of placements while at University; Private White VC, Cooneen Defence, and Gap Inc in New York.
Open Days are a great way for you to get a feel of the University, the city of Newcastle upon Tyne and the course(s) you are interested in.
Information about all of our tuition fees, funding and scholarships.
Get an insight into life at Northumbria at the click of a button! Come and explore our videos and 360 panoramas to immerse yourself in our campuses and get a feel for what it is like studying here using our interactive virtual tour.
University of the Year, Northumbria University, is launching a series of events designed to…
The life and work of a North East woman, described as ‘the first English feminist’, was officially…
To mark International Women's Day, we’ve partnered with Media Planet UK for their Empowering…
As part of the 21st Century Workforce Development Initiative pilot, sponsored by the Royal…
Experts from Northumbria University have published a report outlining the need for a sector-led…
People whose partners died while serving in the Armed Forces say they feel overlooked and let…
Professor Raymond Arthur, from Northumbria Law School, has been awarded a Fellowship of the…
A team of researchers have received funding from Parkinson’s UK to create a device which tackles…
Northumbria University, CCE1 Building
-
Northumbria University
-
Virtual - Teams
-
Back to top
