In January, 130 teenagers from Greater Manchester and London discovered a treasure trove of inspiration in the V&A’s newly opened Medieval and Renaissance galleries.

The research day marked the launch of FAD’s Fashion Futures 2 project – an intensive 10 week course which gives 16 -18 year olds a realistic insight into the working world of fashion.

The day began with a briefing from the FAD team, and introduction to the vast new galleries by Curator, Matthew Storey and Fashion Designer in Residence, Julie Sissons.

The young designers sketched works of art in the newly restored galleries – from luminous stained glass and gleaming enamels to intricate carved ivories and majestic architectural pieces. They also spent time investigating the famous fashion exhibits, and in particular the innovative and cutting edge designs of the 2008 RCA graduates.

The next step is the practical workshops, which take place at Hackney Community College (for students in North London) and Lewisham College (for students in South London). For the second year running, FAD’s newest Fashion Futures 2 project will take place at the University of Salford with teenagers from colleges in the Greater Manchester area.

The Brief: Past, Present, Future

Past: the treasures in the V&A Medieval and Renaissance Galleries tell the story of European art and culture from AD 300 to 1600. There are masterpieces of craft, decoration and colour which are rich in pattern, texture and form. Objects are luxurious and opulent, made with care and skill. Their quality means that they have lasted centuries.

Present: as the recession continues, extravagance is out and quiet quality is in. Designers seek to redefine luxury and create a ‘new-luxe’.

Future: FAD invites students to be guest designers for a retailer of their choice. Combining ideas from the past and present, they must create a piece of original fashion for a future in-store collection.

FF2 in Action

The practical workshops which cover everything from figure drawing, print and fashion illustration to draping, pattern cutting and sewing will culminate in an exhibition of all students’ work at Rich Mix, on 10th May 2010.

Keep track of the aspiring young designers week by week on our “FF2 in Action” pages, where you can also read the latest Fashion Futures 2 newsletter.