Georgina Bellamy, BA (Hons) Fashion Textiles: Embroidery
LCF’s BA (Hons) Fashion Textiles: Embroidery alumna Georgina Bellamy has reached the final of the Knitting and Stitching Show, held at Alexandra Palace from 8 – 12 October. The globally recognised show is the largest, most highly regarded textiles and craft event in the UK, features a curated exhibition, where Georgina’s work will be displayed alongside other exhibitors from all over the world.
LCF News caught up with Georgina to find out more about her inspirations and design process:
LCF News: Tell us a little bit about your collection and style?
Georgina: The final collection was very much about me taking my embroidery skills and imagination and really playing with it. I work entirely by hand so I wanted a haute couture inspired look with a twist. I really enjoy using unexpected things and trying out random ideas and this project was all about that for me.
LCF News: Which designers influences you the most?
GB: Tisci has always inspired me as I love his couture work at Givenchy. I’ve found that my work is also influenced by Balmain embroidery, and of course Lesage. And I have recently become a huge fan of Sorapol and the whole over-the-top look!
LCF News: What would you say inspired you to study Embroidery in particular?
GB: I’ve loved embroidery since I was a child and it’s really stuck with me as I’ve got older. So I began a course studying innovative embroidery at an adult education centre and an examiner from the Embroiderers Guild saw my work and advised me to study it at LCF.
LCF News: What has been your personal highlight of the course so far?
GB: The highlight was definitely the ceremony and seeing all my work come together!
LCF News: What are the challenges of the course?
GB: The third year of the BA is very tough. Time wise you have to organise yourself and be prepared to work around the clock to get what you want. Finding new ways to express yourself can also become challenging, particularly when you are tired and stressed. This is when you have to become truly passionate about what you do.
LCF News: So…Why LCF?
GB: LCF is an amazing university and has a number of inspiring and recognised designers to come out of it. It is also located in central London which is arguably the heart of fashion.
LCF News: How did you hear about the competition at The Knitting and Stitching Show?
GB: I was invited to enter the show by a member of the Embroidery Guild after viewing my work on Showtime, then I supplied images of my final collection.
LCF News: The show starts 8 Oct, what will you be doing there and is there a prize?
GB: The show starts in London and then continues onto Dublin and Harrogate to finish late November. The show is a platform for myself and 9 other textile artists/ designers to showcase our work to the wider public and industry. There is no winner but the opportunity to exhibit is winning enough.
LCF News: What are your plans when you finish your degree?
GB: I am working as an embroiderer in London at the moment and would like to continue to do that for a long time. I don’t like to plan things as I often find I never know what will happen and I like that.