The ASOS Collection

Season 4

Making Ethical Fashion Accessible

The IPE x ASOS collection represents a pivotal moment in my brand's evolution the transformation from intimate made-to-order pieces to scaled production that maintains every ounce of artistic integrity and ethical commitment. Selected as one of only two designers for ASOS's inaugural scaleUP programme, this collaboration proves that artisanal fashion can reach global audiences without compromising on values.

This collection is a carefully curated combination of beloved designs from my archive alongside exciting new patterns, all unified by my Caribbean heritage and a vibrant retro 70s aesthetic. Large collars, dynamic prints, and unapologetically bold colours create pieces that celebrate both cultural identity and contemporary style.

Four Signature Prints, Four Stories

The Tigershell Print begins as delicate watercolor in my Northwest England studio, capturing the intricate patterns of the tiger cowrie shell (Cypraea tigris) found in warm Caribbean waters. What appears at first glance to be a bold animal print reveals itself as something far more meaningful – the natural artistry of marine life, rendered in flowing watercolors that echo ocean currents. The shell's striking appearance and glossy texture become a celebration of Caribbean marine beauty, balancing earthy tones with fluid, organic shapes.

The Storm Print showcases my most innovative technique – a fusion of traditional marbling inks and hand-inked sketches refined through digital manipulation. Born from my experiences of Caribbean weather systems, this print captures the raw power and hypnotic movement of tropical storms. It offers a dynamic counterpoint to serene Caribbean imagery, reminding us that island beauty encompasses nature's most dramatic forces while maintaining the region's characteristic warmth and vibrancy.

The Pineapple Print carries deep personal history, created through collage and layering techniques that evoke the opulent Baroque style of my grandparents' home carpets. Hand-drawn watercolor pineapples pay tribute to the retro ice bucket from my debut Windrush collection – an iconic piece that later evolved into my signature logo. The pineapple, symbolic of the Caribbean front room's drinks trolley, represents hospitality, celebration, and the welcoming atmosphere that defines Caribbean home culture.

The Sanctuary Print, beloved from my previous S2 Homecoming collection, returns with fresh energy. Beginning with collaged images of vibrant Caribbean interior spaces, the design comes to life through continuous line drawing that captures the flow and comfort of welcoming home environments. The added colors harmonize with my brand aesthetic, creating a design that feels both timeless and thoroughly contemporary.

Preserving Craft in Mass Production

Every print in this collection began with my hands, drawn and painted in my studio, then meticulously developed during my MA at Manchester Metropolitan University. Even at scale, each pattern retains the authentic texture and emotional resonance of hand-crafted art.

The collection draws inspiration from family photographs from the 70s and 80s, those treasured images that capture the essence of Caribbean homes in Britain – spaces that were "almost like Victorian parlour rooms. Very kitsch, very loud," as I describe them. This aesthetic celebration of maximalism and cultural pride runs through every design choice.

Staying True While Scaling Up

The ASOS collaboration presented a unique challenge: how to make my designs accessible to a global audience while maintaining the ethical standards that define my brand. The solution was revolutionary – scaling up production while keeping manufacturing firmly rooted in the UK, supporting local industry and maintaining the quality control that personal oversight ensures.

"I'm excited that the pieces will be available to a lot more people as my brand was previously made to order," I reflect. "With this ASOS collaboration, I've been able to scale it up but I've kept true to my values, so the clothes are still manufactured in the UK."

Environmental Impact Through Ecologi Partnership

Every purchase from this collection nurtures more than just wardrobes it actively contributes to environmental restoration. Through our partnership with Ecologi, each garment supports reforestation efforts, helping to restore landscapes and breathe life back into our planet. This isn't just about reducing harm; it's about creating positive environmental impact with every sale.

Our growing forest represents the collective impact of customers who choose conscious fashion, proving that style and environmental responsibility are not just compatible but mutually reinforcing.

Identity, Immigration, and Interior Design

At its heart, this collection explores themes of identity and immigration through the lens of home décor. Caribbean families in Britain created spaces that bridged two worlds – maintaining cultural connections while adapting to new environments. These interiors became visual autobiographies, telling stories of journey, adaptation, and the fierce preservation of cultural identity.

The collection captures this beautiful complexity the way a tiger shell pattern can simultaneously evoke leopard print glamour and Caribbean marine life, the way a pineapple becomes both tropical fruit and symbol of hospitality, the way storm patterns can represent both natural force and emotional turbulence.

IPE x ASOS proves that ethical fashion can scale without compromise, that artisanal craft can reach global audiences, and that Caribbean heritage continues to enrich contemporary British fashion in the most beautiful ways.

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