Sophie Robb

This collection reinterprets the Scottish myth of the Selkie Bride through post-war 1950s Aberdeen, when the city’s identity was still shaped by its fishing industry. Drawing on my grandfather’s upbringing within this close-knit community, I explore belonging, performance, and identity. Although my grandfather and I grew up on the same roads, they no longer look the same, and the Selkie Bride becomes a metaphor for feeling connected to a history that is not entirely my own. Traditional menswear is disrupted and re-worn against its intended function, occupying a space between masculine and feminine, familiar and unfamiliar. The collection proposes inclusive, adaptable garments rooted in longevity, emotional durability, shared ownership, and extended wear.

This collection tiks the ald Scottish story aboot ih Selkie Bride an tells it through post-war 1950s Aberdein, fan the toon wis still shaped bi the fishin. Relatin ti ma granda’s growin up wi the close-knit folk, I’m luikin at fit it means tae belang, tae pit on a pairt, antae ken far yer fae. Oltho ma granda an I baith grew up on the same streets, they dinna luik the same ony mare, an the Selkie Bride comes tae bide as a wye o thinkin aboot feelin tied tae a history that’s nae aa mine. Traditional mannies claes turned on its heid an worn in wyes it wis niver meant tae be, sittin atween masculine an feminine, kent an nae kent. The collection’s aboot makin claes that kin be shared, adapted, an worn for years, wifocus on lang life, emotional worth, shared ownership, an no bein made tae be thrown awa.