Knitwear re-imagined
How Drew Kent is levelling up crochet.
This September, maximalist designer Drew Kent showcased his latest collection, “Glamour puss”, at Manchester Fashion Week. Kent presented fluid, queer, exaggerated pieces designed for the self-expressing maximalist. A Collection of bold proportions that pushes the limits of garment expectations. Through manipulation, Drew has reinvented knitwear.
Glamourpuss collection backstage at Manchester Fashion Week. Photography by Ella Howard @ellefaye.photo
Entering a dimly lit studio, Drew's collection opened with a wave of royal blue and pink that swept the runway in oversized proportions. His work is androgynous and bold; Drew Kent takes inspiration from his identity and exaggerated glamour. His main medium is knitwear, which he constructs into oversized, avant-garde pieces.
Glamour Puss draws on domestic nostalgia. Primarily, the northern grandma and crazy cat lady stereotype. From knitted fascinators to chunky cardigans, the collection was created primarily using dead-stock or donated wool, proving that sustainability doesn't equate to style limitations. One look in particular, worn by model Florence, featured a cat-toy ruffle shoulder piece and complementary orange-fringed accessories. The shoulder piece envelops the model's entire top half, almost resembling a shower flower, topped with a bold orange pillbox hat. Designed to resemble a “cat nip trip”, the look is whimsical and daring. Drew's pieces pull from memories in an eccentric way. Complimented by makeup direction by Antonio Cruz, bold blush and makeup looks with a hint of 80's nostalgia. The result was garish couture.
What inspired your latest collection?
“In Glamourpuss, traditional knitwear and crochet are taken beyond their usual limits. Oversized silhouettes consume the body, while elongated proportions, sculptural layers, and voluminous forms add playfulness. Nostalgic craftsmanship is transformed with the addition of exaggerated fluffy fringes, tactile yarns, and cat toy-inspired textures. The colour palette features soft peaches and pinks alongside bold royal blue, highlighting the chaos and disruption that cats often bring into their homes. Glamourpuss celebrates maximalism, craftsmanship, and character”.
Glamourpuss collection backstage at Manchester Fashion Week. Photography by Ella Howard @ellefaye.photo
Born and raised in Liverpool, Drew saw few opportunities in Northern England for fashion, especially for people from working-class backgrounds. Drew studied at the prestigious Central Saint Martins and felt the cultural shift between London and Liverpool. Liverpool fashion is glamorous, with girls often planning outfits months in advance. Its fashion scene is elevated and meticulous; Liverpool is known for a fashion culture of dressing up and investing in custom pieces. It's a city with a diverse heritage in music, fashion, football, and nightlife, with a history of being at the forefront of change and movement. As a city, it's welcoming and accepting.
Growing up in Liverpool, a city known for being primarily working-class, overtly bold, friendly, and glamorous, how has that shaped your work as a designer, and did you feel a massive cultural difference moving to London to study at Central Saint Martins?
“Growing up in Liverpool instilled in me a fearlessness toward colour and a deep appreciation for the "more is more" attitude that defines the city’s iconic, unapologetic glamour. That working-class boldness, where fashion is armour and social performance, became the foundation of my aesthetic, teaching me that style should be loud, proud, and personal.
The shift to Central Saint Martins was a total culture shock, as I moved from the tactile, communal vibrancy of home to a space where fashion was often interrogated through a strict and clinical lens. Ultimately, that tension defined my signature; I learned to bridge the gap between the high-concept theory of London and the gritty, vibrant soul of Liverpool, creating work that honours the craft of the academy without losing my queer scouse identity”.
Drew’s collections hone in on facets of his identity and upbringing, further shaped by his time in London, where he witnessed differences in style and culture compared to his home city. Seeing a reserved and curated side to fashion only deepened his love for maximalism. He uses his personal style as the base of his looks and exaggerates those themes and silhouettes. “ I use my designs to tell the story of my upbringing and my queerness, turning those lived experiences into silhouettes that feel like a direct extension of who I am”.
Glamourpuss collection at Manchester Fashion Week. Photography by Ella Howard @ellefaye.photo
You describe your work as eccentric, camp and kitsch. As an avant-garde designer, what does maximalism mean to you?
“To me, maximalism is the unapologetic rejection of restraint, where every texture, colour, and silhouette becomes a vessel for narrative rather than mere utility. It’s about curating a deliberate chaos that feels both hyper-real and theatrical, pushing the boundaries of taste until the "too much" becomes a precise, intentional language of self-expression. By layering discordant elements, I aim to transform the mundane into something surreal, proving that excess is not just an aesthetic choice, but a powerful medium for challenging conventional fashion norms”.
Since graduating, Drew has moved back to Liverpool and achieved incredible triumphs, from working with VIP clients to appearing in Dazed and Vogue. His most recent collaboration with Naya Thorn was a performance piece for Drag Race U.K., full of fanciful frills, large floral motifs, and bold colours. Drew’s designs are always vibrant in colour and bold in design. Exaggerated and eclectic, his designs create dialogue and intrigue. Drag Race showcases the epitome of camp fashion to global audiences. So, collaborating with Drag Race, a reality competition that celebrates diversity and true queer art, felt like a natural fit for Drew’s flamboyant, kitsch creations.
Glamourpuss collection backstage at Manchester Fashion Week. Photography by Ella Howard @ellefaye.photo
You recently worked with Drag Queen and artist Naya Thorn for her Drag Race U.K. performance. How did this come about, and what was the vision behind the collaboration?
“Working with Naya felt like a natural fit because we have been friends for years and both share a love for bold, theatrical storytelling. We wanted the look to feel like a high-octane extension of her personality, using extreme textures and proportions to make sure she was the most fabulous presence on that stage. The runway category was ‘Kitsch Please!’ A fun take on a camp runway which was the perfect fit for me, and the final look took inspiration from look 1 of my graduate collection at Central Saint Martins”.
Glamourpuss brought a collection of frills, pastels and exaggerated proportions. The collection entranced the audience at Manchester Fashion Week. Androgynous, non-conforming and fun. Drew's collections feel like a distant, fond memory, tapping into a sense of wonder. Drew Kent is a fashion trailblazer who is showing no signs of slowing down.
Glamourpuss collection at Manchester Fashion Week. Photography by Ella Howard @ellefaye.photo
Credits:
Written by Gena Aspinall-Martin @thebrandlibrary
Photography by Ella Howard @ellefaye.photo
Designs by Drew Kent @drewkent__