My story so far.
I’m Cathy Neale, a fashion designer based in Liverpool. I make one-of-a-kind couture, gothic-punk at its core, elegant in its execution, with upcycling running through most of what I do, though not all of it. Moulded, experimental corsetry, statement jackets, occasion wear, and 3D-printed pieces are where I spend most of my time.
I hold a BA in Fashion and Textiles, but most of what I know I’ve taught myself. My course was underfunded, and lockdown made that worse, so I filled the gaps on my own. I’m a quick learner, once I’ve seen a technique demonstrated I can usually work out how to do it myself. I get that from my dad.
I’m also neurodivergent, and it shapes how I create, the way I focus, the way I notice detail, the way I build. It’s part of the work, not separate from it.
What speaks for me is what I’ve done since graduating. I organised one photoshoot after university, and it grew into Creative Connections, a community that’s since given other creatives the opportunities I was once waiting for myself. My first ever show was Sacred Lotus, a charity fashion show. Since then I’ve taken part in eight shows in total, including one I organised myself, Inclusion in Motion, at Devonshire House Hotel in Liverpool on 17th September last year, in support of Old Hall Street Kitchen, a Liverpool homeless charity. My most recent show, and my first ever show in London, was with LDN (@ldnfashion_bikersrunway), which led to House of iKons inviting me to show at London Fashion Week.
My goal is to become a well-known designer showing at fashion weeks internationally, with a brand that’s inclusive by design: for all genders, all bodies, and both visible and hidden disabilities. Right now, the focus is simple, get to London Fashion Week, fully funded, on 19th September.