Henry Tuppen
The MA Fashion course at Central Saint Martins has long been renowned as a crucible of talent, consistently fostering some of the most illustrious names in the industry. This year's cohort proves to be no exception. As the curtains rose on the MAFCSM show at London Fashion Week, it showcased collections from designers who not only aim to follow in the footsteps of their esteemed predecessors but also to carve out their own distinctive paths, laying the groundwork for their own eminent legacies.
Among these emerging talents is Kaine Ballard, whose journey to the forefront of the fashion world is a testament to resilience and determination. Despite encountering hurdles along the way, including the initial setback of a rejection, Ballard made the audacious decision to overhaul their entire collection and reapply to the prestigious MA program. This leap of faith ultimately paid dividends, catapulting Ballard into a transformative experience that would reshape their creative vision.
At the heart of Ballard's design philosophy lies a commitment to modernity and innovation. Through inventive and resourceful techniques, such as replacing traditional closures with elastic solutions, Ballard challenges the status quo, pushing the boundaries of conventional fashion and ushering in a new era of modernisation. Each stitch speaks volumes, reflecting a relentless pursuit of excellence and a fervent desire to redefine the very essence of fashion.
Their journey serves as both an inspiration and a testament to the power of perseverance in the face of adversity. As they continue to make their mark on the industry, Ballard's singular vision promises to leave an indelible imprint on the world of fashion, heralding a future where creativity knows no bounds and invention reigns supreme.
NW: To start could you tell us a bit about yourself, your background and how you found your way into the fashion world?
So, I grew up in the countryside in a place called Stroud in Gloucestershire - it's definitely quite an artistic town but I wouldn't say there is any sort of community of people into fashion there. I stumbled into fashion through just generally being an insecure kid and needing something to be my identity for validation. I was just a huge hypebeast when I was younger and was into the usual... supreme, palace. No shame though because thank fuck or else I wouldn't be doing what I'm doing now.
NW: Is there any particular subject matter that is currently inspiring your work?
Modernity and my own social background laid the foundations of my research for my MA collection. I wanted to propose a modern of an approach to clothing by removing all excess of zips, buttons and unnecessary hardware. So elastic serves as the only means of accessibility. This was a challenge because it included a lot of problem solving and trial and error. It also turned from being about accessibility into becoming a whole textile so there is one piece in the collection which is entirely made out of elastic.
NW: The fashion world is notoriously hard to break into; what would you say the most significant challenges you’ve had to overcome to reach the stage you’re at now/What do you find most challenging about working in the fashion world?
I would say never giving up and belief in myself that I could get to where I wanted. I actually applied to the MA twice. First time I was rejected, so I moved out of London back to my hometown where I worked part time and re-designed my whole collection and applied again. It was a huge risk but couldn't be happier it paid off.
NW: On the other side of things, what would you say is the most exciting thing you have been able to do/accomplish in your career so far?
The MA at Central Saint Martins is a very prestigious course so I would have to say to be accepted onto it has to be the most exciting thing I've accomplished so far. It’s been an amazing experience and have had the pleasure of meeting and working alongside such talented people I now call close friends. I would recommend the course to anyone who feels like they need to push their work further. Being in the show was never the reason I applied but it definitely was a beautiful way to bring the course to an end.
NW: Many would suggest being able to create and showcase such amazing pieces at LFW as unbelievable success, what does success mean to you?
Success to me is enjoying what you do for a living which ultimately you choose to do for the rest of your life. That is the single most important reason I applied to the MA. I wanted to put myself in a better position than I was pre-MA to be employed and eventually become a designer. As being creative and designing clothes is something I'm very passionate about and enjoy so much, doing it as a career is success to me.
NW: It’s probably hard to narrow it down to just one, but if there was one thing you would like to see change in the fashion industry what would it be?
The amount of shows/collections per year - Brands don't need to churn out so many collections per year such as pre-resort. Focus all the creativity on 2 collections for menswear and womenswear per year.
NW: To finish the interview, is there anything exciting coming in the future you could let us know about? And what are your plans for the near future?
More work to come, more reduction, definitely more elastic. I want to take what I've learnt on the MA and create even more. I would have thought I would like a break but no I'm excited to design more. The MA course has made me fall in love with making clothes again. But I am really looking forward to entering the industry, lending my skills and growing more as a designer.