4 Names to Know from De Montfort University’s Class of 2022.

Interview with De Montfort University fashion design students, by Emma Golley

07.06.2022

Scrolling though De Montfort University’s Fashion Design IG, it becomes apparent that the class of 2022 is certainly a talented bunch. From meaningful concepts to innovative techniques, this years’ grads have pushed boundaries in fashion to the next level. For anyone who is not familiar, De Montfort University is based in Leicester UK and they exhibit their fashion design students work at London Graduate Fashion Week every year.

I caught up with 4 soon to be graduates from the University to learn more about their collections, the inspiration behind them and the advice they have for future students. With social constructs, spirituality, mental health and self expression as the inspiration behind their collections, I couldn’t wait to find out more…

**Jack Barlow**

**University**: De Montfort University
**Course:** BA Fashion Design
**Where are you from and where did you grow up?**
I am from the North and I also grew up in the north with a standard mindset on fashion.
**Describe your design style/ aesthetic:**
My design aesthetic would be a mixture between gender/ question of gender. I love to use elements of pattern cutting and tailoring but using it to achieve a variety of shapes & fits of my garments.
**Tell us about your final collection and inspiration behind it:**
My final collection is inspired by the 80’s AIDS outbreak and the social constructs that surrounded it. I focused on the political element and incorporated the emotion of how the queer scene was made to feel in that time period.
**What aspect did you most enjoy about the graduate collection process?**
I loved the whole process of getting selected for graduate fashion week and being able to showcase my entire collection. This was a real accomplishment for me.
**Did you do any fashion internships during your time at University, if so where?**
I haven’t done any fashion internships, however, I would love to now get experience in the fashion industry and develop my skills further!
**What are your hopes and goals for after you graduate?**
After I graduate, I would love to get a name for myself, and start producing garments and collections I am in love with. I would love to carry on developing my skills especially!
**If you could pass on any advice to future fashion students, what would it be?**
Future fashion students.. DON’T LEAVE SEWING UNTIL THE NIGHT BEFORE!! And concept really does matter! Having a concept you’re in love with really does travel through onto your garment you produce! Work hard, but enjoy the entire process!
**Where can our readers see your designs?**
Dear Readers, You can find my designs/ design process on my instagram page @Jckk.b_Fshn!
Any readers with questions don’t be afraid to drop me a DM on insta or email me at jackliam_01@aol.com

Jack Barlow Graduate Collection

**Kirsty Pritchard**

**University**: De Montfort University
**Course:** BA Fashion Design
**Where are you from and where did you grow up?**
I am from Birmingham, growing up in a town called Sutton Coldfield.
**Describe your design style/aesthetic:**
So before completing my final major project I considered myself more of a sportswear/streetwear style designer, with baggy & loose menswear silhouettes but still a wearable style. I have always been a print heavy, vibrant and colourful designer but this really came to light in my final collection. I now consider my aesthetic more of a formal style with some tailored elements, but still with a streetwear edge - loose fitting trousers, creative cut and layered pieces. However the root of my style has to be beautiful colours and textures!
**Tell us about your final graduate collection and the inspiration behind it:**
My final collection started under the umbrella of spirituality and psychics! My colour palette came from my spirituality imagery- hence the vibrant neon colours. I immersed myself into my concept by visiting a psychic at the start of my project, where my Grandad came through who I lost during my first year at university. This was WILD and my project really kickstarted! My Grandad is a massive inspiration to me and was such an interesting person, he was a Teddy Boy - one of the most iconic and influential style tribes ever seen. Hence the shawl collars, drape jackets, fitted shirts, waistcoats, bootlace neckties and collar clips all seen in my collection.
I created my own prints of the iconic Teddy Boy hair - twisting and fixing wigs and photographing then flocking to create a hair like feel. I chose to use delicate sheer fabrics to give a ghostly feel to my collection and flocking on organza just popped and gave an amazing textured feel! My grandad was also in the motor repair services, obsessed with cars - this was also a massive inspiration in my designs. I clashed tailoring with boiler suits, loose fitting trousers and baggy silhouettes to represent this. I also created a spray like effect screen print- which came from visiting my grandads work garage and looking at the spray booth.
**What aspect did you most enjoy about the graduate collection process?**
I love print, so I really enjoyed being in the print studios at university creating beautiful artwork. I loved sampling and just experimenting with various types of print on various fabrics to produce different outcomes every time. I particularly love flock printing as it completely transforms fabric - creating texture and fluffiness, but I have experimented with screen, devoire, flock and puff printing.

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

I have worked with an independent clothing brand called Good Day UK - check it out!!!! (@gooddayuk on instagram) Honestly the coolest brand ran by Max who is the greatest guy, but he has let me assist him with shoots, sampling, tech packs so I can't thank him enough! I have also helped out at various Fashion Shows backstage dressing models and ensuring shows run smoothly.

What are your hopes and goals for after you graduate?

I’d love to work with smaller brands/companies and help aid the whole design process, then work as a print designer for menswear. In a couple of years I would love to work in London, so I am hoping to move there and find work - after I travel a little!

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

It’s not going to be easy but you can do it! No one tells you the blood sweat and tears that come with a Fashion Design degree, it is not for the faint hearted! But just keep work work working hard, do what YOU love and be sustainable!

Where can our readers see your designs?

Instagram: @kirsty.p.fashiondesign

Kirsty Pritchard Graduate Collection

IZZY CALVER — **Izzy Calver**

**University**: De Montfort University
**Course:** BA Fashion Design
**Where are you from and where did you grow up?**
Colchester Essex
**Describe your design style/aesthetic:**
I am passionate about creating more options on the market for men’s knitwear. As currently there are minimal opportunities for men to express them selves through fashion with limitations in colours and garment types. To do this I like to design with a familiar concept in mind so that the wearer can notice, connect and engage with the garment before even wearing it. Which is why the classic Pacman ghosts are featured throughout my most recent collection.
**Tell us about your final graduate collection an the inspiration behind it:**
The concept of ‘GAME OVER’ sprung from my favourite arcade that I visited regularly as a child named ‘Magic City’ in Clacton-on-Sea. The collection features the characters from my favourite arcade game Pacman. Upon a recent visit to Magic City Arcade I noticed there were piles of tickets that go to waste, I have taken an innovative approach to knitwear by experimenting with these tickets within textiles. I aim to create distinctive garments and textiles that create a sense of familiarity, energy, and positivity.‘GAME OVER’ is a menswear collection for Autumn Winter 2023. The range is fully knitted using a range of machinery including Domestic, Dubied, Shima and hand knit. Focusing on injecting bright and impactful colours and textures into men’s knitwear. This has been achieved by exploring various yarns such as cotton, mohair, monofilament, and elastic within extensive creative sampling to achieve maximum impact with different fibres and colours in knitwear.

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

My favourite aspect of the graduate collection process was the pressure and independence. I thrive under pressure and create my best work when working in a busy and fast paced environment. I loved creating my own concept and fully expressing my creativity and ideas through knitwear was so enjoyable.

What are your hopes and goals for after you graduate?

I would really love to put my skills that I have developed and my extremely driven attitude into practice. I am currently searching for work experience and employment in different areas of the fashion industry. My hopes for the future would be to start off designing for a colourful and expressive menswear knitwear brand and then to develop my skills and enthusiasm into my own label one day.

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

Stay calm and enjoy the process. Fashion design can get very overwhelming as there is a lot going on at one time, but its also such an amazing time where you get to fully express all creativity and create an amazing personal collection so make sure to soak it all up and enjoy the buzz of it all!

Where can our readers see your designs?

Fashion Instagram: IZZYCALVERKNITWEAR, LinkedIn, Artsthread, GFW

Portfolio website under @IZZYCALVER

Izzy Calver Graduate Collection

**Olivia Black**

**University**: De Montfort University
**Course:** BA Fashion Design
**Where are you from and where did you grow up?**
I’m from Salford in Manchester.
**Describe your design style/aesthetic:**
My design style/aesthetic is feminine luxury couture.
**Tell us about your final graduate collection an the inspiration behind it:**
My final collection is about the mental illness OCD and the feelings that surround it. For my collection I looked at my own personal experiences of suffering from OCD and how it made me feel. I then projected this feeling into my work using keys as my main motif to represent obsession with repeatedly making sure my door is locked and lots of layers of tulle to show the overwhelming thoughts.
**What aspect did you most enjoy about the graduate collection process?**
I enjoyed the repetitive process and accuracy involved in creating such detailed pieces especially shown within my pleating, as well as using specialised technology to create my garments such as laser cutting and plastic moulding.

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

During my time at university I took part in the Erasmus programme where I studied fashion and clothing at Metroplia University of Applied Sciences in Helsinki, Finland, for one year.

What are your hopes and goals for after you graduate?

After I graduate I plan to work in luxury high end fashion as a Jr Designer or intern and eventually after gaining more experience start my own high fashion label

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

Stay focused, remember mistakes are part of the process, keep your goals in sight, and think about why you love it.

Where can our readers see your designs?

You can see my work featured on my Instagram page @oliviablackfashion

Olivia Black Graduate Collection

Thank you to the students from De Montford University, you can check out their Fashion Design Course Instagram here.

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Comments System WIDGET PACK

4 Names to Know from De Montfort University’s Class of 2022.

Jack Barlow

Jack Barlow Graduate Collection

Kirsty Pritchard

Kirsty Pritchard Graduate Collection

Izzy Calver

Izzy Calver Graduate Collection

Olivia Black

Olivia Black Graduate Collection

Thank you to the students from De Montford University, you can check out their Fashion Design Course Instagram here.

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