Our first collection was designed during the Covid-19 pandemic. This collection consists of colorful, whimsical, and warm coats. I was in a really tough place mentally, and designing this collection really helped me turn that around. The pandemic has been tough on all of us (or at least the large majority of us), and I was no exception. Having lost my job the day the lockdown went into effect, I'd had many months to search for nonexistent jobs in the fashion industry, which had taken a serious toll on my mental health. 2020 went out with a bang for me and my family, as we buried my grandfather 5 days before Christmas and then promptly came down with Covid. (10 out of 14 family members caught the virus, and let me tell yinz, it ain't no joke. Also, before anyone freaks out, we had a private funeral so we didn't become a super-spreader event!)
Going into the new year, I knew I had to make some changes to improve my mindset and decided it was time to focus on launching the Anna Gray Collection. My Woodhill collection came naturally, piece by piece. I started by using what material I had already, which was quite a stockpile after years of designing and collecting fabric from friends and closing fabric store sales.
I didn't have my inspiration nailed down when I started designing, which is sometimes how it works for me. It wasn't until I'd finished making my samples that the name Woodhill came to me. Woodhill is the street on which I grew up, and it's where my imagination developed and flourished. I felt so safe and secure on Woodhill, and only now am I realizing what a unique gift it was to grow up in such a place. When I think of Woodhill, I think of lightning bugs in the summer, hot cocoa after being out in the snow, crisp Fall air, and Forsythia blooming in the Spring. There's a feeling of security and safety that Woodhill evokes, which after the year we've had sounds lovely to me. It's being surrounded by those you love, and never questioning if you belong. It's a big hug, again after the year we've had, we could all use more hugs! This collection represents all these things to me. It starts off in the hazy, early morning, after the rain has stopped, which represents when I was caught in such a negative headspace. Then after the fog has lifted it progresses into the warm glow of the afternoon sun illuminating the way forward.
