Invisible explores the harsh realities faced by young people who have been groomed and exploited through County Lines networks. Developed through research and conversations with affected communities and schools, the collection considers how vulnerability and exploitation can remain hidden within everyday life.

Atkinson translates these complex experiences into a contemporary textile collection through the contrast of heavy embellishment and boldly oversized silhouettes. The exaggerated scale and intricate surfaces create a visual tension between visibility and concealment, reflecting the ways in which those affected can become simultaneously exposed and unseen.

The collection was developed through an extensive process of research, observation and material experimentation, using embroidery and embellishment to communicate a subject that is often difficult to represent visually. Rather than attempting to speak for those affected, Invisible aims to create space for awareness, empathy and conversation around the realities of exploitation.