A Devon-based designer is using her fashion creations to raise awareness about the risks posed to children by drug gangs. Madelaine Atkinson, whose bold designs feature items such as a cloak covered in mobile phones and a stab vest, says her work is intended to spotlight the exploitation of young people by criminal gangs, particularly those involved in the “county lines” drug trade.
Atkinson’s six-piece collection was showcased at London Fashion Week, with the designer also visiting schools to discuss how gangs expand their operations by targeting vulnerable children in rural areas.
“I don’t want to glamorise it,” said Atkinson. “I’m aiming to highlight the abuse young people go through.”
The Children’s Commissioner has estimated that at least 46,000 children in England have been drawn into the criminal activities of these gangs.
Atkinson’s designs include oversized stab-vest silhouettes, symbolising the violence tied to county lines, and emphasising the need for protection for those involved. One of the standout pieces is a 2.5-meter-long cape, adorned with hundreds of phones donated by phone repair shops in London and Exeter. Atkinson explained that the phones represented the extent of the criminal networks involved in county lines and the widespread impact of the issue across the UK.
A model walking the runway in one of Atkinson’s creations, a grey sweatshirt paired with a heavily embellished skirt, highlighted the emotional weight carried by exploited children. The embroidery and beadwork on the garments symbolised the burden these young people bear.
Atkinson collaborated with Lennox Rodgers, CEO of the charity Refocus, to visit schools affected by county lines gangs and engage with students. Refocus, based in London, provides early intervention for young people caught in knife crime and drug dealing. Rodgers, who grew up surrounded by gangs and spent time in prison, founded the charity to give back and help prevent others from following the same path.
“By rescuing kids from gangs, I’m saying sorry for the life I led and helping others avoid the suffering I went through,” Rodgers said. “If I had the kind of support my charity provides, I believe my life would have been very different.”
Atkinson hopes her collection will shift the focus from judging young people involved in county lines activity to recognising their vulnerability. Some critics have described the collection as “too heavy” for the fashion world, but Atkinson is determined to create meaningful work.
The collection is part of Atkinson’s Master’s degree in Fashion Entrepreneurship at the Jimmy Choo Academy. A portion of the proceeds from the sales will be donated to Refocus.
Atkinson’s bold designs aim to start a conversation about the need for better protection for young people from the dangers of drug gangs, using fashion as a powerful tool for social change.
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