BA Fashion Textiles: Embroidery student Maria Giannakopoulou and FDA Cordwainers Footwear ( now BA (Hons) Cordwainers Footwear Design: Product Design and Innovation) student Scylia Chevaux have combined their very different skills and passions to create their Class of 2015 catwalk collection! We caught up with them to find out about their designs and ideas. You can see both students’ designs LIVE on the catwalk on June 8th at 7pm GMT on the LCF Channel.
LCF News: Where are you from?
Maria Giannakopoulou: I am from Athens, Greece.
Scylia Chevaux: Belfort, France.
LCF News: Talk us through your final project/collection/research/piece…
MG: This collection called “In The Blink Of An Ear” is based upon the theme of visualizing and materializing sound. The juxtaposition of sound recordings from London and Athens formed a solid base for investigation in the change of perception of imagery via the impact of sound. This collection is not a statement of diminishing the importance of vision or excluding it as the dominant sense, but rather highlighting the unseen world of sound acoustic which is open to interpretation. Researching into sound art and performance inspired me to create an interactive and original series of outfits which focus on time consuming hand processes.
SC: My project called HIDE- OUT (a men’s and women’s collection) is a reflection on the idea of the unexpected, the once hidden and suddenly emerging truth. I tried to scrutinize the very essence of what is ‘concealed’ through a surgical work of dissection, trying to excavate the presumably ‘invisible’, so to say the ‘invisible at first sight’, and casting light on its dim and at times perverse existence.
LCF News: What do you love about what you do?
MG: I love creating original textile pieces, and getting creative with multiple materials.
SC: I really appreciate mixing textures and distorting elements to create new exciting 3D shapes. Shoe Design enables me to work with different materials (wood, resin, fabrics, and leathers) and techniques (laser cutting, leather moulding, 3D Printing).
LCF News: What’s the best thing about LCF?
MG: The best thing about LCF is the fact that you can collaborate with students from other courses. For example you can collaborate with photographers, pattern cutters, shoe designers and students from many other courses.
SC: I agree, LCF enables you to meet other talented and passionate people/students from all around the world.
LCF News: What’s the best thing about your course?
MG: The best thing about my course is the freedom that we have as students to express ourselves, through our textiles no matter how crazy they are. Our tutors and course leader are very inspiring and encourage us to think outside the box and be an innovative designer!
SC: FDA Cordwainers Shoe Design course is an intense and rich experience. Each term is a total rediscovery and I sense I have much more to learn ahead and that is definitely highly motivating.
LCF News: Have you met or been inspired by any speakers from the industry whilst at LCF?
MG: Bart Hess is one of the main designers that I am generally inspired throughout my work. I had the pleasure to meet him in a workshop that was organised by our course leader in LCF. Getting one-to–one tutorials with him and being able to discuss ideas was definitely a landmark in developing this project. His perspective on sound, movement and textiles is unique!
SC: Listening to Nick Knight was a really rewarding experience! He talked about how to reconcile passion and all about the world of work.
LCF News: Describe your work in five words…
MG: Intricate, powerful, interactive, textured, time consuming.
SC: Eclectic, fecund, organic, dramatic, poetic.
LCF News: What inspires you?
MG: As a textile designer I get inspired by everyday objects and textures , especially when I start playing with and manipulating them.
SC: London is an inexhaustible source of inspiration ! My work is the result of ‘everything around me’ (people, architecture, nature, street art, and even food!).
LCF News: How do you think your course and LCF will help you achieve your plans?
MG: Through my course at LCF I have definitely learned a lot of skills that are critical for a textile designer to obtain! First of all , I was able to practice multiple embroidery and print techniques. Secondly, time management and problem solving are key values that I learned from this course. Finally, being able to collaborate with other students from different specialisms was a very interesting experience.
SC: LCF has already gave me 90% of the tools necessary to succeed thanks to the amazing teaching process, the ‘Inside the Industry’ talks, and the LCF Careers events. The remaining 10% is, in my opinion, personal motivation.
LCF News: What advice would you give to someone wanting to study your course?
MG: My advice would be work hard and be passionate about what you do. These are the two keys to success!
SC: Motivation and passion are essential to fully live the ‘LCF experience’ and to blossom in your studies.