Raquel de Carvalho made her debut at London Fashion Week with the AW25 collection, which explores fashion as a form of séance—where the act of making and wearing garments becomes a profound ritual to connect us to our inner self and spiritual realm. Inspired by the handmade sweater of her late grandmother, the collection reflects Raquel's deep spiritual connection and her desire to honor her grandmother’s memory.
Raquel deconstructs vintage wool sweaters sourced from across the UK, transforming them into bold, innovative pieces that challenge traditional notions of knitwear. The collection features skirts, corsets, tops, and shoes, with a highlight piece being the upcycled stiletto boots with functional pockets.
Raised in a family of mediums, Raquel has always been encouraged to explore her spirituality and the bond with her guardian angel. This connection is embodied in the collection through intricate handmade techniques such as monoprinting with crochet and knit, bead embroidery, mending, upcycling, and dyeing—some of which were explored for the first time during the creation of this collection.
Drawing upon some personal references in her sketchbook that goes from Nan Goldin photography and Syrian Lingerie to religious syncretism . Raquel de Carvalho’s AW25 collection is a blend of spiritual exploration, personal heritage, and innovative craftsmanship.