The 2022 Grads At The Cutting Edge of Fashion.

Meet Four Fashion Graduates From UCA Rochester - Fashion Atelier-Class of 2022.

Interview with University of UCA Rochester Fashion Atelier students, by Emma Golley

08.08.2022

Summertime in the UK means many different things to many different people. But for Fashion Graduates, it means the end of one journey and the beginning of a new one. After working long hours on their final collections, years of hard work comes to fruition in the form of Graduate Fashion Week. The highly anticipated event of the year for fashion students gives them the opportunity to showcase their talents for the industry to see.

For the graduates of UCA Rochester’s unique course Fashion Atelier, their final collections demonstrate the highest level of skills in Couture and Tailoring. This is a rare opportunity for students seeking a pathway into the bespoke world of fashion. I caught up with some of this years talented graduates to learn more about their collections, experiences and plans for the future…

**Timothy Dodd**

**University**: University for the Creative Arts
**Course:** Fashion Atelier (BA Hons)
**Where are you from and where did you grow up?**
I am originally from Preston, Lancashire and grew up here before moving to Kent for University at 18.
**Describe your design style/ aesthetic:**
My design aesthetic takes strong inspiration from the Camp Attitude. Outlandish, Unserious and Fabulous.
Imagine if Princess Diana’s Wedding Dress, Lady Gaga and a Disco Ball formed a 70’s Pop band, I think that would be my aesthetic.
**What makes the Fashion Atelier course different to a Fashion Design course?**
Unlike the vast majority of Fashion Design courses, the Fashion Atelier course prides itself on teaching traditional and bespoke techniques used within the fashion industry. What makes the course stand out is that it roots itself within the couture/high end sector of fashion and pushes students to think outside of the box, whilst keeping fittings and finishings to a premium standard.
With a strong focus upon the two main sections of the Atelier - Tailoring and Flou, we are taught how to create a range of pieces using couture methods and finishings.
Ranging from Tailored Jackets and Trousers to Bias Cut Dresses and Corsets, the Fashion Atelier course ensures each student will leave prepared for the High End Fashion Industry.

Tell us about your final collection and inspiration behind it:

My Final Collection was entitled ‘A Love Letter to the Showgirl in my Mind’ .

A narrative taking focus from my upbringing, donning my mothers heels, my collection is a critical self-portrait and open invitation to the inner drop the of my exploration of determination for perfection; ultimately leading to a loss of oneself.

The symbolism of the showgirl is motivated by my adolescence. Growing up, within the arts, showgirls represented an image of excellence and persistence; an ideal metaphorical response to the narrations in one’s minds.

What aspect did you most enjoy about the graduate collection process?

The aspect I most enjoyed about the collection process was being able to see the collection come to life within final fabrics and finishings. It’s one thing creating toiles of your garments but once you start cutting and sewing it together in expensive fabrics - it all becomes so real!

Being around everyone and seeing everyone doing their own thing was fascinating and so encouraging to keep carrying on.

Did you do any fashion internships during your time at University, if so where?

Unfortunately, due to COVID, we as a year we’re unlucky that we didn’t have the opportunity to work on a placement.

However, I was lucky enough to interview multiple companies and get to speak to them in regard to how they work and even get some insider atelier secrets!

What are your hopes and aspirations for after you graduate?

Now that I have graduated, I hope to find a job working in a couture based brand; ideally Schiaparelli! I relate to their work so much!

And then, in years to come, I hope to set up my own brand, creating garments for clients such as Lady Gaga. Having my own brand has always been a dream of mine and the thought that in a few years time I could be dressing celebrities I have looked up to since I was young, is crazy.

If you could pass on any advice to future fashion students, what would it be?

My one piece of advice to future fashion students is to always stay true to you. Whatever you do, make sure you as a designer, you as a creator, you as a person shine through! Fashion is a freedom of expression; so why not express yourself!

Where can our readers see your designs?

@timothyatelier - Instagram

Timothyatelier.com - Website

Designer: Tim Dodd
Studio Shots: @olivervince.photography
Models for Studio Shots: @dion.jae @__chloemayy__

**Arun Jarman-Chantler**

**Name:** Arun Jarman-Chantler
**University:** University for the Creative Arts
**Course:** Fashion Atelier (BA Hons)
**Where are you from and where did you grow up?**
I'm originally from a little village by the sea called Kingsdown, just outside of Dover, Kent. I spent most of my early days in Dover or living by the ocean itself and the surrounding areas.
**Have you always been interested in fashion?**
My first interests weren't necessarily fashion based and having taken maths and physics at A-level, architecture was the natural progression for my career. However after having taken a year to get my art and design diploma and doing work experience at a local architecture firm it was clear this wasn't for me. Having always had an interest in fashion I managed to take these technical skills and transfer them over to my fashion creation.
**Describe your design style/aesthetic?**
My style in my design work is very clean and I love to colour block. I like to focus more on fit and function and ensure that my garments fulfill their requirements and their purpose first, and then ensuring they look great whilst doing so. I love to use heavy materials like denims and coated cottons and bonded technical fabrics to create rigid shapes and save the delicate materials for linings and details..
**Tell us about your final collection and inspiration behind it:**
My final collection, "Authentic Nostalgia" is a response to the current state of workwear within fashion and whether as consumers we look for a sense of authenticity and purpose and look to use garments for their purpose, or whether we simply like the way these garments look and they may never see a day of work in their life. The collection aims to respond to both of these requirements by combining traditional shapes and very functional garments, whilst maintaining that element of contemporary design and a touch of brutalist flair.
**What are your hopes and aspirations for after you graduate?**
Now that I've graduated all seems a bit daunting as I'm sure most are feeling. I would like to work in a range of occupations before the end of my career, working on and potentially one day leading an atelier team, problem solving and creating for a major fashion house. And later, towards the end of my career, settling down and working in teaching. The atelier course is such a niche course which offers such a huge range of skills that you won't find on other courses that I would love to pass on to a younger generation.
**If you could pass on any advice to future fashion students, what would it be?**
To future fashion students I would say.... at the end of the day remember that through all the stress, it is only clothes, things can be fixed. Push your hardest and keep trying new innovative methods but if things go wrong there is always a solution and it can always be corrected, you've just got to push at it and know you've given it your all.

Where can our readers see your designs?

I'm over on instagram @arunjvc

Designer & Photographer: Arun Jarman Chantler
Model: Ben Pollard | @b3n_po114rd

**Gabriella S J Alfano-Simmons**

**Name:** Gabriella SJ Alfano-Simmons
**University:** University for the Creative Arts
**Course:** Fashion Atelier (BA Hons)
**Where are you from and where did you grow up?**
I’m half English and half Italian and grew up in Cyprus
**What was it about this course that excited you most?**
Initially the pattern cutting and tailoring caught my eye . But whilst doing the course I gained a lot of handcraft techniques and a sense of community through the course.
**Describe your design style/aesthetic:**
I would say I have a simple but effective aesthetic . As I like the more simple styles but tend to add an exaggerated element.
**Tell us about your final graduate collection an the inspiration behind it:**
For my final collection I did a menswear collection based off of childrens drawings . As I have childcare experience I chose to use that as my inspiration and I decided to use the child’s perspective of scale and placement as the key element of my collection.

What are your hopes and aspirations for after you graduate?

After graduating I hope to get an internship within the garment technology field but I’m also looking to go into tailoring and design.

If you could pass on any advice to future fashion students, what would it be?

Go with your gut and take your time the more you rush the more you make mistakes which means a lot of unpicking . Also go with the flow sometimes you might start making a garment in which you designed on paper but once you make it in fabric you might notice that it’s going in a different direction which you actually prefer .

Where can our readers see your designs?

Instagram : @alfano_simmons_atelier_

Studio Photographer & Designer: Gabriella SJ Alfano-Simmons
Models : @Its_kingty10 @G.corbo_17 @Marcofarris @borisgah_
Fashion show photography : @olivervince.photography

**Amy Lewis**

**Name:** Amy Lewis
**University:** University for the Creative Arts
**Course:** Fashion Atelier (BA Hons)
**Where are you from and where did you grow up?**
I'm from Surrey and grew up there too but moved to Kent to do my degree.
**Have you always been interested in fashion?**
Actually no, I've always just liked to make stuff, but when I did the foundation course at UCA too I went into the fashion pathway and that’s how I got into making clothes.
**Describe your design style/aesthetic:**
I like the traditional tailoring techniques combined with contemporary elements. I like to make my own shoulder pads, so this can give a unique shape to the garments.
**Tell us about your final collection an the inspiration behind it:**
My graduate collection is called Prisma. Chroma. Aura. And is fueled through my personal experiences with chromesthesia, frisson and aura reading, this collection develops the 3D illusion aspects of my print design, intertwining these elements together. Silhouettes inspired by 80s power dressing and the pagoda shoulder highlight the angular and geometric shapes across the garments. The red orange wools and crepes showcase the traditional tailoring techniques throughout as well as reflecting my colour palette connected to my aura.

Did you do any fashion internships during your time at University, if so where?

Because of COVID we didn't have any opportunities to do any internships but during my first year, I helped assist Rosalie Key complete her collection. She now has her own brand and has been to a variety of fashion shows such as the Lumiere Runway in LA this year with that collection.

What are your hopes and aspirations for after you graduate?

I'm looking to work in the costume sector or making bespoke suits.

If you could pass on any advice to future fashion students, what would it be?

Just make what you want and think ahead. When you design something, already know how you are going to make it and construct it to a high standard.

Where can our readers see your designs?

My Instagram is @amy_l_atelier and you can see my final collection there.