Forward fashion

Judging by a quick scout for rising stars among graduate fashion students in Edinburgh and Glasgow, the future of Scotland’s fashion industry is in good hands, writes Grainne Byrne.

From the Holly Fulton SS10 collection
Kayleigh McKay
From Jett Sweeney’s third year capsule collection in 2009

EDINBURGH

The fashion department at Edinburgh College of Art (ECA) offers students the opportunity to hone their skills in design and illustration. Pattern cutting is also learned, which enables promising designers to collaborate with textiles students to produce multi-dimensional project pieces.

ECA also puts an emphasis on professional development. There are regular lectures by visiting professionals and inhouse designers, and the College’s close industry links offer attractive internship opportunities. Graduate students also enjoy the perk of being in the only Scottish university or college to exhibit during London Graduate Fashion Week in June.

First up, though, is the annual ECA Fashion Show, for which graduating students create their own brief, research the theme and build their collection around it. This year’s show features 17 bright young things, among them Edinburgh native Jett Sweeney, 22, whose avant-garde, yet accessible third year capsule collection in 2009 caught the attention of patrons and press. Jett takes inspiration from Alexander Wang’s simple silhouettes, putting her own spin on them to create what she calls “edgy, yet wearable” designs.

The theme of her graduate collection is scarification. She explains “I was inspired by the use of scars in tribes. It’s something I’ve always been interested in. I’ve translated scarification into material manipulation, including sheepskin trimmings paired with luxury, high-end fabrics such as gold jerseys, wool and velvet. Pieces include a body-con dress with sheepskin trimmings inspired by scarification patterns on the female form.”

Jett’s other final year work includes a design project with the Scottish fashion house, Macintosh. When she graduates, she hopes that her ‘lookbook’ will catch the eye of some design houses in London and start her off on a professional career.

YOUNG, GIFTED AND BACK

Skyrocketing to success, ECA fashion tutor Holly Fulton will be toiling for mantelpiece space to accommodate her most recent accolade. As well as being named Young Designer of the Year at the Scottish Fashion Awards and Swarovski’s Emerging Talent Award winner in 2009, this year Fulton took the prestigious Elle Style Next Young Designer Award. Holly is fresh back from London Fashion Week, where her bold namesake collection was well received. www.hollyfulton.com

Sketches of ECA fashion student Jett Sweeney’s graduate show designs
Waistcoat from Kayleigh McKay and Lauren Hollinshead’s design project for Glasgow’s DIY Oxfam

GLASGOW

Over 700 students at Glasgow Caledonian University (GCU) take marketing and retailing courses to prepare them for entering the fashion business. Like at ECA, GCU students benefit from established industry links and internship opportunities.

Students are encouraged to be inventive and innovative with their designs and ideas, but also to test their products in the marketplace and assess real world demand.

Kayleigh McKay, 21, and Lauren Hollinshead, 19, have already laid the groundwork for a promising future. Last year they produced a functional, cohesive children’s line, The Legacy Collection, for Barbour, which perfectly complemented the popular adult range. They also organised the Caledonian Creates Fashion Show and enjoyed quality work placements.

Along with finishing their dissertations, they are now collaborating on a new brand for DIY Oxfam in Glasgow’s West End. The project will enable customers to purchase unique, ethical fashion garments with a designer finish. Kayleigh and Lauren have 20 garments, including a ‘60s-inspired waistcoat made from one half of a pair of retro-patterned curtains!

Kayleigh has been working on her computer-aided design (CAD) skills, producing a piece inspired by photographer Daniel Sannwald and illustrator Cecilia Carlstedt. Encompassing digital art and fashion photography, it brings together images of Glasgow’s architecture, landscape and colourful characters.

Fellow student and flatmate Lauren Hollinshead has enjoyed styling stints with the Daily Mirror and Sunday Mail, pulling together cool clobber for the likes of Florence (of Machine fame) and La Roux. Her online lookbook shows a knack for pulling together beautifully matched, yet care-free looks. She is now developing an online venture, Glasgow Craft Market, to introduce new designers to online customers.
http://lookbook.nu/user/129289-Lauren-H

EVENTS

Edinburgh College of Art Fashion Show, May 5-7, £15. Fashion, performance costume and textile work by graduating students.
www.eca.ac.uk/index.php?id=1072; www.hubtickets.co.uk

Glasgow Caledonian University June fashion show, date and venue TBA.
www.gcu.ac.uk; www.twitter.com/caledoniannews

London Graduate Fashion Week, June 6-10,
www.gfw.org.uk