Would you mind introducing yourself?
My name's Nick Kinniry. I'm from Drexel University and I just completed the Introduction to Fashion Design course at UAL on the 8-week summer study abroad.
What did you think of the course?
I loved the course. I thought it was great. I took the hat making class and the textiles class where I was given a ton of creative freedom to create and just be open with the ideas and techniques. I also had some cool business classes and my styling class I absolutely loved.
Can you tell us about a project you particularly enjoyed?
I did a styling shoot for that class, which was amazing. So yeah, my favourite part was probably my styling class. I really loved how professional it felt like from the beginning. We were put together like a full editorial. We scouted for models and photographers. We got to style about 12 different looks. We went to a location and just shot it out. We're now trying to submit it to have it published in a magazine, so I'm super hyped about that.
What were your favourite things about London?
My favourite thing about London is probably the shopping. I did a lot of it. I loved the shopping in London as a fashion design student would. But other than that, I would say just exploring. Just going to see a ton of different historical things, a lot of museums. I loved the V&A museum. My place is like a 10-minute walk from the V&A, which has been great. So, I've been there a lot.
Tell us about your hat?
This project is actually sort of inspired by something I saw at the V&A. I just really enjoyed the lines of pearls that I saw in this goblet there and it had a central red stone sort of like the one I have on the hat. I've also been loving the trend of a lot of studs on clothing. So, I just decided to add a ton of studs to the brim and did all these grommets on the sides here.
It was definitely a process. I had to pattern it all out, cut it, sew it together, which I did a whole mock up. And then from there I could check the issues and fix them for the final product. In the final week I was really just grinding out all the different embellishments and everything. I learned that it's good to make a mock up like a prototype because I had some mess ups that I fixed before the final product.
What is something you are taking back with you to your home institution?
I learned that I really love doing embellishment work. I feel like that was a big part of the hat making course., In our textiles course, that we did along with the hat making, was all about embroidery and applique and stuff like that. I really love doing all the grommets and the pearls I got on my hat. So I think I'm going to try and bring that back into my work at Drexel.
Would you recommend the course?
If someone wanted to do this course, I would tell them to just have fun and yeah, don't be scared. Come into it with an open mind and do your best in school but also just enjoy your time here because it's been great. I think that all the time I spent exploring London and having a good time really helped with my work and inspiration.
