Last week, 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 Salma Osman about her Fashion Futures experience so far.
Why did you apply for Fashion Futures?
“I applied for Fashion Futures to help me get to where I want to be in the future. I wanted to be familiar with the fashion industry and how it is at university. I’ve learnt that you have to prioritise and make sure everything’s done and not left until the last minute.”
Tell us about your design and how it was inspired by the brief.
“I looked at corsets and saris and made them more modern using denim and turning the sari skirt into trousers.”
How has your week been at our Summer School at UEL?
“My week has been hard, much harder than I expected. I’m surprised at how close I am to finishing though. It’s worth the time.”
What has Fashion Futures taught you so far?
“Fashion Futures has taught me a lot – with techniques, how to construct something from blocks and how to choose the right materials for what you want to make. It’s made me think about what type of fashion course I want to do, I’m stuck between illustration and fashion designing, but this has drawn me more towards designing.”
What’s next for you?
“I want to be successful and go to university. I want to start my own business and have my own label.”
What challenges do you think young people face when trying to get jobs in the fashion industry?
“I think the pressure is a big issue, your parents tell you that it’s not good to go into creative careers and you have to do medicine to actually get somewhere in life. Fashion can be hard to get into, but if you know it’s what you want to do and everyone is telling you not to, it can feel like you’re wasting time. If you want it, you have to go and get it.”
Fashion Futures would not be possible without our sponsors at Natwest and George at Asda.
