Mary Ferril, a graduating MA Fashion Photography student at London College of Fashion, is using her lens to explore the relationship between fashion, nature, and sustainability. Her final project, Lakeland Repose, brings together ASOS and the National Trust to visually interpret their shared commitment to environmental preservation and inclusivity. Inspired by a personal desire to reconnect with nature after years in the city, she spent four months photographing the landscapes of Cumbria, at Lake District, capturing the essence of circular design—a system that minimises waste by reusing, regenerating, and designing with longevity in mind.
Through her photography, Mary explores how fashion can align with nature’s cycles to shape a more sustainable industry. In this interview, she shares the inspiration behind Lakeland Repose, the creative challenges of merging fashion with environmental storytelling, and how time spent in nature has reshaped her artistic vision.
Both organisations share similar ideals of inclusivity, as well as putting conservation of the environment at the forefront of their current and future work. I wanted to celebrate the partnership ASOS has with our Centre for Sustainable Fashion at LCF, and the movement towards circular design. I found there were many similarities between the two mission statements and wanted to utilise the principles of both organisations as a guidepost throughout my project. There is definitely a long road ahead in terms of sustainability in the fashion space but believe that positive change is on the horizon.
I looked at a lot of editorial work from the 90’s, especially Tim Walker and Arthur Elgort. There is a spontaneous, yet intentional aspect to photography from this era that I was drawn to. Incorporating movement and a sense of looseness was important, allowing the landscape and clothing to speak for themselves through the medium of photography.
The Lake District is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, preserving its natural beauty and resources is a high priority. Circular design, which emphasises reducing waste, reusing resources, and designing for longevity, aligns well with the region’s conservation efforts.
The Lake District has always been a place where people are aware of their environmental impact, so integrating circular design felt very fitting. Circular design in this context can be seen as a way of aligning human-created systems with nature’s cycles. The landscape itself embodies principles of regeneration. Forests regrow, rivers cycle water, and the mountains erode and reform over time. Incorporating these ideas into design using renewable energy and minimising resource use reflects the natural world’s capacity for renewal.
It forced me to slow down and take a look at what my own artistic practice is. What was working for me and what was not. My ideas felt more free flowing when I allowed myself to observe and appreciate the natural world around me. Less inhibition, and more creative freedom came through with this project as a result of this.
Spending an extended amount of time in the Lake District allowed me to get to know the area a little more than if I was just visiting for a few days, which was an added benefit. Sharing the experience with my collaborators was a huge plus! Giving others the opportunity to spend time in the area, and experience the beauty was a very special part of the process.
Dedicating time to personal work and development is super important! It builds the foundation of who you are as an artist. I have found that when I am being my most authentic self, the commercial work aligns with the stories I feel passionate about telling. When you focus on what brings you joy, it fuels your passion and creativity. It's easy to get caught up in the grind of chasing external markers for success but orienting your work with what genuinely excites and fulfils in turn can lead to meaningful professional work.