In June, our 21 Fashion Futures finalists took part in an intensive Summer School at the University of East London. With only 5 days to produce their final garments for London Fashion Week, the pressure was on.
The week had its highs and lows, with days filled with excitement, stress and a good few learning curves! The challenge was tough, but with plenty of help on hand from FAD volunteers and each other, the finalists perfected their pattern-cutting skills and learnt to sew on industrial machines. They painted, beaded, quilted, laced, fringed and embroidered until their garments were complete, ready to be showcased at Fashion Scout on Monday 19th September.
We caught up with finalist Daisy Haggerty about her Fashion Futures experience so far.
Why did you apply for Fashion Futures?
“I applied for Fashion Futures because I wanted to try something different that wasn’t as structured.”
Tell us about your design and how it was inspired by the brief.
“I got my first set of inspiration from the V&A and all of the hands of the sculptures and the paintings and the symbolism of the hands in Indian culture. I tried to make my design look like a hand, I have panels that look like interlocking fingers and I have a motif that goes across the front with my finger prints on. When I did further research I look into Indian street style and how a lot of men’s clothes have evolved so that women now wear them. I tried to make my design unisex, also drawing on inspiration from the growing LGBT scene in London, to fit in with the London side of the brief as well. It’s quite urban looking, but also has noticeable Indian references.”
What has Fashion Futures taught you so far?
“Fashion Futures has taught me loads of little things about sewing, but speaking to Phillip and the volunteers about university has been really helpful. I went on the George trip as well so that was really good to get a sense of what it’d be like to design commercially, it made me realise I’d be happy to work for a high street retailer. Also I think Fashion Futures has motivated me, at the start of January I was so demotivated but this has helped me get through my A-Levels.”
What’s next for you?
“I would like to go into the fashion industry and I’m getting really into pattern-cutting, it’s difficult but I like the challenge. Hannah has helped me so much with my pattern this week because it’s the most advanced thing I’ve done, but it’s been so fun.”
What challenges do you think young people face when trying to get jobs in the fashion industry?
“I don’t think there’s enough support if you’re coming from an academic background. There’s a large stigmatism around the arts and fashion being unrealistic careers, so I think that’s the main problem young people face.”
Fashion Futures would not be possible without our sponsors at Natwest and George at Asda.
