‘I’ve been looking at early punk,’ begins Blythe Brunt, who is currently in the throes of finishing a draped dress and structured corset. ‘There’s this punk duo called The Nova Twins and their stage style has quite inspired it too.’
Having also taken inspiration from architecture she saw on a research trip to the V&A, the piece is an exciting fusion of the two. ‘I’ve learnt so much here,’ she continues. ‘Before I started with FAD, patterns and complex sewing were so alien to me but now I can look at a pattern, understand it, and know how to make my own. My construction’s so much better!
‘I’ve also learnt about all of the different layers of the fashion industry. It’s so much more complex than I thought before and when you look to go into it, there are so many areas you can specialise in.’
With plans to do exactly that, she wants to start with a fashion design degree at university before working within the industry itself. ‘My confidence has improved loads, and looking at everyone else’s work is really inspiring,’ Blythe continues. ‘Everyone is also really accepting of ideas.
‘FAD has been absolutely fantastic,’ she concludes. ‘In terms of helping me improve, it’s the best thing I’ve ever done.’
