Jane Bowler S/S 2016: Innovative Wear for the Modern Day Female Warrior

By Jessica Ye (Jessica Yap)

When East-London designer Jane Bowler first emerged in 2011, her audacious approach to fashion raised more than a few eyebrows. Questions like, “Who would wear clothes made of plastic?” and “Can sustainable materials ever feel couture?” followed her every move.

Bowler’s ambition was clear from the start: transform discarded plastics into wearable, demi-couture masterpieces that merge sustainability with sculptural design. Over the years, she has defied skeptics, carving a reputation as one of the most innovative voices in British fashion. Her creations have graced the likes of Rita Ora, Azealia Banks, Ellie Goulding, Nicole Scherzinger, Grimes, and Lady Gaga, while earning nominations for WGSN’s Global Fashion Awards and support from the British Council.

Now in the fourth year of her label, Bowler returns with one of her strongest collections yet.

For Spring/Summer 2016, she channels the archetype of the modern female warrior. Recycled and reconstructed denim is transformed into architectural armour, sculptural and commanding yet undeniably wearable. Highlights include stitched surfaces, stiff fringing, treated denims layered with plastic strands, gold chains, and Bowler’s signature vibrant plastics.

Material experimentation remains at the heart of Bowler’s practice. Macramé knotted panels and intricately layered fringing are seamlessly integrated into strong silhouettes, creating dresses that are simultaneously show-stopping, feminine, and classically cut. Holographic surfaces catch the light, infusing each piece with a futuristic glow that reflects Bowler’s ongoing dialogue between craft, technology, and design.

Compared to previous seasons, this collection is sleeker, more cohesive, and intensely empowering—a true embodiment of the modern Xena warrior princess, tempered with contemporary elegance.

Jane Bowler’s Spring/Summer 2016 collection will soon be available via her online store (coming soon).

For fashion and textile enthusiasts, Bowler also offers workshops at her East London studio, led by herself and designer Heather Orr. Upcoming sessions include the Christmas Workshop, Make a Jane Bowler Necklace, Construction Lab, and Experimental Knitting, offering a rare glimpse into her experimental processes and unconventional materials.