Francesca is returning to Fashion Futures after a break of ten years – she first took part as a teenager back in 2007.
This season of FAD is Francesca’s first as a volunteer and, as a seamstress within the fashion industry, she’s providing the young FAD participants with an inside perspective of what it’s like to work as a technical designer within the field of fashion.
‘It’s really great to see the progression of somebody,’ she says, explaining what it’s like to be working with the young people. ‘To see how their confidence changes and how pleased they are with themselves when they understand something.
‘FAD gives young people a space to be creative, and to work on whatever they want,’ she continues. ‘It’s not always encouraged to follow that at school so something like FAD really gives them the opportunity to just try it and see if they like it. ‘
Within her own personal work too, her volunteering at FAD is having an impact. ‘It’s definitely made me more focused on where I want to specialise, and it’s given me more confidence,’ she says.
‘It has been inspiring to see so many creative solutions and to be surrounded by people who are not afraid to push themselves, who encourage and support each other and who are ultimately determined to realise their vision. I’d like to thank FAD for welcoming me into this process and for making it such a fantastic experience, it has been a pleasure to work with you all. This has been my first year volunteering and Fashion Futures is something I hope to be involved with for a very long time to come!’
Francesca’s three words to describe #FashionFutures2018: challenging, innovative, transformational
