In celebration of starting my SQUINT blog I’m so happy to release my Glencoe editorial shoot in full. This editorial features pieces from my recent Love letter (Part 1) collection, some soon to be released pieces and archival treasures. Love Letter is a continual creative project further exploring my Scottish identity, following 2021’s Lore of Three project. For this shoot I combined SQUINT pieces with family heirloom jumpers knitted by my Nana on my late Mum’s side.
This photoshoot, and collection in a larger sense, looks to my past and Scotland, it’s traditions, stereotypes and truly unique feel. During endless lockdowns in Melbourne I longed for Scotland, so I designed pieces that celebrated it. Then as many of SQUINT’s followers know, my Mum passed away. My life was put on hold as I helped care for her during her 6 months of illness, and since her death I have struggled to connect to parts of my recent past. Much of it too painful to revisit. Instead I looked to my childhood, my home and my Mum’s chosen home of Scotland. Through this I have been able to feel connected to her when other memories have been too harsh to visit at the moment. I’ve found through this exploration I have discovered a newfound respect and awe for the country I am from. Mountains that were once a boring family holiday hike, now fill me with wonder and inspire me.
This August I took to the highlands, collection in tow and threw myself into this shoot. I chose to style each look with a treasured piece of my Mum, the jumpers her much loved Mum made for her and my Dad. Many of them older than me. These jumpers are the only pieces of her belongings I have felt strong enough to start to use, they were pieces she had already allowed me to sneak into my own wardrobe, they already felt shared with me. To be able to style them with my own work was a beautiful combination of me now and me before. The clear craftsmanship and love poured into these jumpers is exactly what I try to emulate through my work.
I feel this collection represents a small shift in my work, exploring different angles of my personality. I feel more raw and honest, softer and sentimental but can sense my playful nostalgic self coming out of hibernation.
All my love,
Ellie
View the editorial in full below
