George Auckland Down‘s project narrative explores the dynamics of prepubescent boys, how they govern themselves and identify in a suppressed society. Using the key themes and character traits from William Golding 1954 novel Lord of the Flies, Down’s research investigates origami, masculinity, stereotypes, and sexuality and how each look becomes a metaphor for different periods in a boy’s life.

His two main case studies look at how his father grew up being estranged from his parents and how he had to adapt and survive from a young age on his own to live in an all-boys boarding school. This informed a final collection that encapsulates deconstructed shapes, whilst communicating elements of bondage and repetitive pleating techniques.