Clare Whitt's conceptual accessories - The Clothes Maiden Magazine

Clare Whitt isn’t your bog standard designer, and nor are her designs. Creating sculptural conceptual accessories, Clare uses her expertise in welding and engineering to break the boundaries of what is socially acceptable.

Having worked in factories and workshops for ten years, Clare works with metal cut-offs to discover ways to distort metal in order to make it into something far more beautiful. This lead to her creations being featured in both Paris and London’s S/S’12 for a collaborative show with Rachel Freire.

Rather than being inspired by the mass production of both the fashion and welding industry, the designer creates one-off pieces that allow for a robust form of exclusivity.

Clare explains, “my initial occupation as a welder is quite an odd choice for a girl but it is one that has suited my unconventional nature and views on what is socially expected; steps that one should follow on their life path to be accepted.” She adds, “I like to push those boundaries and to make people feel empowered by my creations.”

The designs themselves include cuffs, unusual hats and spiked glasses, meaning they are perfect for grabbing the attention of the room. Not only are they show-stopping designs, but you can be rest assured that no one else will be wearing the same one-off accessory piece as you to the Christmas party too.

Isabella Stockwell