‘I’d prefer more fashion to be made in-house than overseas,’ says Abby Foley, a designer working on a piece for FAD that manages to combine the cut and colour of stain-glass windows with the metallic details of CD cases.’I know it’s a lot more expensive but it gives more people a chance to get jobs in making.’
With a place already secured on the Fashion Design course at De Montfort University, she’s loved honing the skills she already had in fashion with FAD. ‘I had some experience before but I’ve learnt a lot more around pattern-cutting and different ways to sew.
‘I feel a bit more out there too. I wasn’t as creative. I was sticking to normal things whereas now I feel I can be more outrageous and creative… FAD is a really good platform that everyone should apply to and try and get on. It’s been really helpful.’
In future, Abby is keen to get stuck into the fashion industry and doesn’t want to just set up her own label, but do it in a way that’s locally and ethically sourced. ‘I’d definitely want to have it all made here and you would know who is making what,’ she says. ‘You’ve got to try and make it better, haven’t you? You’ve got to do the right thing.’
