A look from BA (Hons) Cordwainers Fashion Bags and Acessories: Product Design student Leo Carlton’s final collection
Next up in our Class of 2014 series is BA (Hons) Cordwainers Fashion Bags and Accessories: Product Design and Innovation student Leo Carlton.
LCF: What have you enjoyed most about studying at LCF?
Leo Carlton: The most enjoyable part of studying at LCF is working closely with peers, now friends, who are all in the same boat and who add encouragement over competition. ‘Open Access’ allows a healthy time to work alongside each other, rather than in isolation, and the technicians will always help you.
LCF: Have you undertaken any work experience?
LC: I have been working for Noel Stewart Millinery during my time at Cordwainers and have worked in collaboration on projects for an exhibit at Courtauld and on film costume. I made headpieces for Coral, the betting company, for their press at Ascot and Epsom Derby. Also, I won the Truro Fund, a craft tool grant via Heritage Crafts Association.
LCF: What inspires you?
LC: I am inspired by consciousness. I guess my farm upbringing added an organic aesthetic and the people I surround myself with are also sifting through their inspirations. Eccentrics.
LCF: What is most important to you about fashion?
LC: It is our personal platform to express ourselves. Fashion can be woven in endless ways to fit our minds, but I enjoy and strive to make emotional and thought-provoking work.
LCF: How would you sum up your graduate collection?
LC: It is a collection of headpieces / fashion artefacts that connect the wearer to their environment, mindfully altering one’s self image for the duration of engagement and indeed past this point of interaction; awakening thoughts of purpose and a sense of being.
LCF: What are your plans for the future? And how do you feel your course will help you?
LC: My plans are to continue collaborating, interning and travelling, and then to progress my study onto MA.
LCF: What advice would you give someone wanting to study for a BA at LCF?
LC: Nobody said it is going to be easy, but you will emerge with skills and a portfolio to progress within your chosen field. Don’t limit yourself to just the one creative industry sector.