Inspired by the work of Marcel Breuer, Charles and Ray Eames, and Charlotte Perriand, this collection, CHEERS, explores the design and structures of iconic mid-century modern furniture design. The Wassily, Cesca, LC4 Chaise Lounge and Eames Lounge chairs’ were key influences of design throughout the 20th century with their revolutionary use of sculpted steel and moulded plywood.

My main aspiration when creating a collection inspired by these pieces was to reflect the fundamental design intentions held by each artist. Structure and experience were at the heart of each chair which therefore became my key goals when designing. The structure of the body, the experience the wearer would have, and designing with maximum impact were my constant considerations.

To me, these chairs symbolise the beginning of my love for design and the development of my creativity. Growing up, my family home was decorated with an array of art and carefully crafted furniture, as my parents, avid admirers of mid-century modern design, displayed their carefully chosen collection.

Mae Label was created in 2020, during the midst of the pandemic and in my first year attending Whitecliffe College. I set out with a clear purpose, to create quality, essential pieces for the modern woman's wardrobe. With this brand, my goal is to empower women to feel comfortable in their clothes and have fewer 'I have nothing to wear' days. Mae Label aims to influence women to build a more considered wardrobe and as a brand offer a sustainable range that considers each aspect of a garment's lifecycle.

During the pandemic, there was a clear trend in the fashion and apparel market; people were going back to basics. However, basic doesn’t necessarily have to mean boring. With Mae Label, I wanted to offer core building blocks of the modern woman’s wardrobe that were designed with the female figure at the forefront of my mind. 

CHEERS, is a special collection that has Mae Label’s values at its core while bringing in conceptual elements. The collection consists of 5 custom made looks that were tailored to fit each model. Each piece was designed with careful consideration about the wearer's body and longevity in mind.

Ella Hodson is a graduate of Whitecliffe and features in The Graduate Show.