Kerry Bowman

My concept is designs for matching human and dog knitted jumpers. The dog fashion market is a rapidly growing and there is opportunity for better textile design. We are a nation of dog lovers. Dogs hold an important part of our lives. I love dogs and textiles, so what not a better way to celebrate my two passions together. I have two collections based on different personality muses. 

Collection One is inspired by David Hockney and his love and affection for his two sausage dogs. Collection Two is inspired by William Wegman and his Weimaraners. Both artists have used their relationship between themselves and their dogs as a source of inspiration to support their works of art. 

Collection One focuses on colour and shape. Using bright, bold colours to create fun designs with various stripes and knitting technique Intarsia. In contrast to Collection Two is texturized Looking at different types of dog hair as a source of inspiration which can be expressed through its different sense of touch. 

My project originated following the connection between me and my dog. Many occasions, I have been told me and my dog lookalike, that I am the “spitting image of your dog” Therefore I began to wonder the theory of why owners might look like their dogs. Owners see what is familiar to them in a dog, we hold aesthetic preferences, so their personalities reflect yours. This expanded my projects idea of connection and the non-verbal communication between dogs and humans- the unspoken understanding.