Foundation Diploma Art & Design (Fashion & Textiles)

Thomas Foakes

Thomas Foakes is a conceptual fashion designer interested in creating expressive works that communicate deeply personal narratives.

Taking an interest in menswear-based design, Foakes uses pattern-making, detailing, and innovative textiles to communicate his ideas. Whether it is making a jacket’s pockets and fastenings useless as a protest against fast fashion, or the use of natural lily petals to convey rebirth, each garment uses itself to tell a story. Foakes would like to work in an artisanal atelier for a forward-thinking fashion house, or as a creative director focused on bringing conceptual design to the forefront of the fashion industry.

Continuing his journey in conceptual design, Foakes is headed to Central Saint Martins for Fashion Design Menswear in 2026.

Final Shoot For Personal Project “Eruption” – This is a self-directed project about the energy channelled from the noise of walking in heels, the attitude and aggression felt, and where it is felt. Translating it into design, Foakes fuses this with his interest in early 70s rock culture, which was about projecting oneself both visually and audibly, creating a clearer expression of what he does and what he loves. That is his actual hair placed around the rims of the jacket.

Final Shoot For Foundation Project “Accessories” – A foundation project depicting Foakes' journey with self esteem, using the art history of German Expressionism as a eulogy for his experience. Pearls represent the value gained through vulnerability, lilies symbolise rebirth and the frame of the collar indicates the beginning of self discovery.

Final Shoot For Foundation Project “Progressive Details” – Foundation project depicting how Foakes wishes to escape the war-like fast fashion economy. Foakes represents this by making the details redundant in his designs. No one could fight in a broken vest, nor would they buy an impractical jacket.

Lineup For Foundation Project “Progressive Details” – This lineup includes prints that combines naval and soldier camouflage to create a useless disruptive pattern material.

Final Major Project Outcome For Foundation – Final Major Project depicting how politicians abuse political ignorance and use the vote to enhance their own status and wealth. Combining suits and life jackets together to create a visual metaphor for how the public were used and manipulated during the Brexit years of UK politics.

Foundation Diploma Art & Design (Fashion & Textiles)

Previous Next