In the lead up to the MA Summer Show opening on 7 September, we interview students about their life at Chelsea. We caught up with MA Textile Design student Sarah Hazeldene to see how her learning experience at Chelsea has shaped her practice.
“My time at Chelsea has really helped me focus on my ideas freely and with conviction. For the MA Summer Show, I’m creating transformative garments inspired by the act of dressing and undressing the body. By designing a garment that can transform and adapt, a user is given the possibility to change and co-design one garment over time. The endless opportunities can encourage the user to keep exploring the garment, finding new ways of wearing and using it.
“The garments were created with a set of sustainable rules created by kids aged 7-13 (made from rubbish, make no rubbish, all one fabric) in response to the governments lack of intervention in the production of waste as a bi-product for garment manufacturing.
“I’m a big believer in primary research, I find it really beneficial to place myself in the work, whether that’s through collaboration or audience participation. For this project I collaborated with sculptor Lorena Pritchard and a group of children aged 7-13 and with them I ran a series of workshops. The whole process was so inspiring, we discussed the problems in the industry in terms of garment production as well as their passion for the subject which was so influential to me and my work – especially their endless ideas on how kids can and will create positive change in such a wasteful industry, and from such a young age.
“Being given the chance to explore my practice has opened up the way I communicate and develop my work. Coming from a fashion and textiles background I never thought I would be using Chelsea’s wood workshop but having an open-door policy where you can pop in to see a 3D technician for a chat, made it so easy to create.
“My tutor’s passion for the subject is contagious, sharing their wisdom and thoughts has really helped to guide me to become a better and more refined designer. My classmates have also been like built-in therapists guiding me between creative blocks and helping me to push through my comfort zone.
“Seeing how myself and others around me have changed and progressed from the beginning of the course makes me feel proud, that even in a short space of time there has been so much development.
“I love to collaborate and often find myself working with my friend and longtime collaborator Jacob Glasbey, mostly on styling and art directing ideas. It’s rewarding working with people on the same wavelength as you, who get what you and your work is about.
“If you decide to study MA Textile Design at Chelsea, my advice would be to be willing to put the work in, turn up every day, treat it like a job and don’t be afraid to push further and do more.
“After Chelsea I hope to work in a sustainable design field as it’s something I’m passionate about and hope to explore further. I’d really love to carry on developing sustainable garments.
See more work on Hazel’s website and Instagram
Find out more about the MA Textile Design
More information on the MA Summer Show opening on 7 – 13 September
To see more work from our graduating students, head to chelseadegreeshow.com
