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 Imogen Mulvenna about her Fashion Futures experience so far.
How has your week been at our Summer School at UEL?
“My week at the Summer School has been good, it’s been tiring and a lot of work but it’s really nice to see your work progress. It’s rewarding to be able to come back and work on it more.”
What has Fashion Futures taught you so far?
“Fashion Futures has taught me a lot about sewing, and also that it takes a lot of time to make things, more time than you realise, but if you put a lot of effort in you can pull it off. I’ve learnt how to pattern cut as well as improving my technical skills. I have also learnt how to work with different people and allowed them to contribute to my ideas!””
What’s next for you?
“I’m currently going between ideas, I either want to go down the design route or becoming a teacher and do art and fashion through that as well.”
How excited are you for LFW?
“It seems surreal that something I have designed and created is going to be shown at London fashion week!”
What challenges do you think young people face when trying to get jobs in the fashion industry?
“I think that if you don’t have the right connections or if your family doesn’t have the right connections it can be hard to meet the right people.”
Fashion Futures would not be possible without our sponsors at Natwest and George at Asda.
