The 'Cutting Project'

The Cutting Project was assigned to Ruby Elizia during her second year at the University of Westminster. She chose to base her project on palaeontology, specifically examining the Jurassic stegosaurus, renowned for its self-protective spikes. Ruby explored the theme of self-protection and concluded that the garment she would create should be an outerwear piece designed for safety, particularly for women walking alone at night. To bring her concept to life, Ruby disassembled a second-hand tent she had purchased online, working from her bedroom. The coat she created features three upcycled fabric layers, including a second-hand faux leather to maintain the fabric’s stiffness. Ruby incorporated spikes into the construction, transforming the traditional 'trench coat' pattern into a structured outerwear piece.