Class of 2016: BA (Hons) Fashion Textiles: Print

Up next on our class of 2016 series is Erica Weide who is graduating from BA Fashion textiles: Print after 3 years of juggling studies alongside her raising three daughters who inspired her final project.

Artefacts collected by Erica Weide and her daughters

Where are you from?

Erica: I’m from Sweden, but I’ve lived in London for 16 years.

Give us one interesting fact about yourself

Erica: l live in Honor Oak Park with my three daughters Lulu, Nico and Edie. It’s hard juggling kids and university but at the same time I probably want this more because I have had to fight hard to get to where I am now.

Talk us through your final project?

Erica: The starting point for my Final Major Project was some broken pieces of ceramic, collected by Edie, my daughter, from the bottom of the garden. I then took this further by joining the Thames Foreshore walk, where I collected some more ceramics and through archaeology, I was able to connect these discarded fragments of pottery to the past. I also had an interest in weeds – types of plants discarded due to their lack of beauty.

What do you love about what you do?

Erica: There are two main things I love, firstly I love the opportunity to be creative through making, experimentation and photography and secondly I love researching and making connections between, objects, time and place.

What techniques or theories did you use to create your final piece of work?

Erica: Mainly screen printing, using pigments, acid dyes, flock and foil and also, some hand embroidery.

What’s the best thing about LCF?

Erica: There are many great connections with industry and LCF itself has a great reputation. There’s also a good balance between the creative and academic aspects.

Sample print by Erica Weide

What’s the best thing about BA (Hons) Fashion Textiles: Print?

Erica: Being able to play and experiment with materials and colour. Then learning how to present this professionally.

Have you won any prizes?

Erica: I was nominated by my tutors for Texprint so I’m keeping my fingers crossed for that.

Have you undertaken any work experience or done a placement whilst at LCF? Where and how did you secure this work experience or placement?

Erica: I have done a couple of short internships and I am looking forward to starting with Unique Style Platform in August. I contacted Jane Kellock – the founder and creative director of USP after she gave a talk on an SDC event at LCF because I was interested in the things they do like trend forecasting. The combination of working with colour and being creative whilst researching what is happening around us and, how our society is changing and developing is something I would be interested in doing.

Have you met or been inspired by any speakers from the industry whilst at LCF?

Erica: Apart from Jane Kellock, I recently went to a talk by The Gentlewoman’s editor in chief, Penny Martin and was very inspired. I found it interesting to hear about how she got to where she is and the story behind the magazine. I love magazines because feeling the texture of a paper in your hands is a million times better than anything digital and I like to support and collect independent ones like Lionheart Magazine. My favourite read at the moment is Oh Comely and I am currently working on a visual version of a magazine.

Print by Erica Weide

Describe your work in five words

Erica: Colour. Detail. Texture. Beauty of the everyday.

Do you have a muse? If so, who and why?

Erica: I can’t think of one at the moment. But I know they would be a feminist.

What inspires you?

Erica: Beauty of the everyday; cracks on a wall, sunlight reflecting through a window, patterns in the sand, objects broken and unwanted.

Where do you want to be in your career in five years’ time?

Erica: I want to be in a steady, fairly well-paid job where I can work alongside other creative people. I would love to continue to find a balance between working hands on as well as using my research skills. I would also really like to be able to do something where I’m helping others.

How do you think a BA in Textiles, Print and LCF will help you achieve your plans?

Erica: My course has given me the foundations I need to fulfil my goals. It has given me practical sills, both creative and academic as well as a body of work to take and show what I can do. But most of all, it has given me the confidence I need to go and get it.

What advice would you give to someone wanting to study your course?

Erica: Enjoy the creative journey! Play, experiment and explore. Spend time on researching and making connections – this will make things easier. Don’t panic. Be inspired by others, but do not compare yourself to them.

Erica will be collaborating on a project that will be exhibited at the LCF Fashion Space Gallery from September 2016.

• Find out about BA (Hons) Fashion Textiles: Print
• Follow Erica on Instagram
• Find out more about other undergraduate courses at LCF
• Read more stories from the Class of 2016 series
• Find out more about postgraduate courses at LCF
• LCF Open Days and Events
• More LCF News stories
• Course places available on UCAS Extra