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The brief focused around exploring culture and heritage which can be as far-reaching and obscure from any part of the global. To develop a range of footwear that interprets the broad spectrum of ‘heritage’ incorporating the fashion, materials and colour trend for Autumn/Winter 2017/18 season.

The theme chosen for this project was ‘Voodoo’. The aim is to look into the religion and heritage of voodoo to look at where it started, what things are associated with voodoo and also looking at accessories and fashion from this dark theme. Voodoo has always been associated with black magic, sacrificing and voodoo dolls. During the research, it was found the voodoo dolls are not an instrument of evil but an instrument of intent. The shamans used the voodoo doll in a way to communicate with the Loa (spirits), like their dead ancestor, for guidance. It can be used to summon the spirit through the Loa so that it hears your plea and makes manifest your desires, wishes and wants. In my research, it also talks where voodoo started which was in Africa and then it was brought to Haiti which then spread to Louisiana. Voodoo became more popular in Louisiana by a lady called Maria Laveau who was voodoo priestess. The research has led to search why things like animal sacrifices, chicken foot, amulets, charms, voodoo dolls and snakes are associated with voodoo and it all has to do with the voodoo religion on how they use these articles to call upon the spirits and how certain disputes are solved within the voodoo religion. Voodoo fashion is not as broad as some of the more darker themes i.e. witches. Research led to films which use voodoo and how they use fashion to get the point across. Films such as Pirates of The Caribbean, Predator and James Bond have all used this theme across their films mainly showcasing the evil and negative side of voodoo.