Student and Graduates: Be Featured

Calling all third years of fashion and textiles!

It's that time of year. You're Easter Break was barely even a break and you probably ate so many chocolate eggs just for the sugar to keep you going on those long all-nighters. You're not really sleeping so well (when you do get to go to bed!) because you're constantly thinking about what needs to be done next, when the next deadline is, when will it be too late to start ordering fabrics, etc etc.

I know! I've been there. It's stressful, it's painful, it makes you laugh, it makes you cry, it also makes you fat. But don't worry! It'll all be over soon, and you'll see your work at your graduate exhibition, or at New Designers, or Tent. You'll stand back and feel so proud because you did all that work.

At the end of it all, when you've got time to calm down, then I'll be here awaiting your request for a Graduate Profile! You need to get your workout there. The more websites you're on the better.

I'm here to showcase your talents to the world. I am so excited to see what amazing prints/garments/products have come out of the creative minds of young designers.

Please take a look at some of last years Graduate Profiles by clicking here and scrolling down until you hit around September/July.


If you would like to be featured on this blog, please contact Kate at klynch@hotmail.co.uk.

Fashion and Textiles Graduates - Be Featured

Calling all third years of fashion and textiles!

It's that time of year. You're Easter Break was barely even a break and you probably ate so many chocolate eggs just for the sugar to keep you going on those long all-nighters. You're not really sleeping so well (when you do get to go to bed!) because you're constantly thinking about what needs to be done next, when the next deadline is, when will it be too late to start ordering fabrics, etc etc.

I know! I've been there. It's stressful, it's painful, it makes you laugh, it makes you cry, it also makes you fat. But don't worry! It'll all be over soon, and you'll see your work at your graduate exhibition, or at New Designers, or Tent. You'll stand back and feel so proud because you did all that work.

At the end of it all, when you've got time to calm down, then I'll be here awaiting your request for a Graduate Profile! You need to get your work out there. The more websites you're on the better.

I'm here to showcase your talents to the world. I am so excited to see what amazing prints/garments/products have come out of the creative minds of young designers.

Please take a look at some of last years Graduate Profiles by clicking here and scrolling down until you hit around September/July.


If you would like to be featured on this blog, please contact Kate at klynch@hotmail.co.uk.

New online portfolio with brushd

Just thought I'd quickly mention I've just set up my new online portfolio with brushd. 

If you'd like to have a look at some of my work, please visit it here: http://katelynch.brushd.com/

Floral Friday: Rosie Simons

This weeks Floral Friday is Rosie Simons, a University of the Arts London graduate. Despite having a degree in Graphic Design, Rosie warmed towards surface design and has created some really gorgeous prints. 

When I first saw her designs, I immediately thought how cute they were! Sweet, ditsy florals with bright and bold colour ways. 

Rosie talks me through her design career and her plans for the future:

"I am a graphic and surface designer naturally inspired by things around me, from day to day items to nature. I automatically visualise how imagery and objects will translate into designs, motifs and patterns. Graphic and surface design have always run parallel in my interests and I have developed my style to incorporate both these passions, a simple and clean but colourful aesthetic; combining simple graphic illustrations and typography. My passions lie in making something eye catching, whether that be a great logo for a company or a surface design used on products from wrapping paper, to clothing and homeware.

I am a keen and proactive designer, I love to go out and find new inspiration, taking photos of flowers, forms, shapes, textures and typography, reading blogs, collecting printed and tactile matter, wrapping paper, labels, to inspire motifs and creation of new work. I love to explore, see and experience new things. Colour, texture and shape are some of the most important aspects of both my personal life and my life as a designer. I generally work using my Wacom tablet, hand drawing motifs from photos or my imagination. I love the freedom and organic lines this creates and then develop the designs in illustrator.

I graduated in 2012 from University of the Arts London with a degree in graphic design and have previously worked for Dorling Kindersley and Croudace Homes among another places. I recently graduated from 'The Art and Business of Surface Pattern Design' with Rachael Taylor and Beth Nicholls. The course has helped me learn the business side to Surface Pattern Design and develop my style and confidence as a freelance designer. I am currently looking for representation, commissions, licensing so please contact me via my website for more information. My dream is to have my designs licensed across many different surfaces all over the world!"

Rosie is just about to start selling her designs in an Etsy shop, rosiesimonsdesign.etsy.com. She'll be selling greetings cards and christmas cards, so check back on the shop this weekend to be the first to buy her stock!

Rosie's links:

Blog: http://rosiesimons.blogspot.com/

Website: http://rosiesimons.co.uk/

Twitter: @rosie_simons

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/RosieSimonsDesign

Rosie also sells on Society6: http://society6.com/rosiesimons

Floral Friday: Kat Truong

This weeks Floral Friday is the wonderfully talented Kat Truong. Her floral prints are fantastic: beautifully intricate illustrations with gorgeous colour ways. These are prints I could only dream of designing myself!

Here, Kat talks to me about her brilliant graduate collection:

"I have recently graduated from Leeds College of Art, where I studied Printed Textiles. My graduate collection takes a particular interest in contemporary floral print. Inspired by the forgotten 'Victorian Language of Flowers'; the designs are an exploration of prolific flowers using traditional hand drawing techniques combined with digital applications of colour. I have always loved drawing, and I find the addition of digitally painting my designs really brings my work to life."

Visit Kat's website here and follow her on twitter here.

Graduate Profile: Sarah Fleming

I've not featured a Graduate Profile for a while, so I was really happy when Sarah Fleming agreed to do one with me. 

I found Sarah after following her blog a few months ago because I thought her designs were lovely. She was also in the same boat as me: just about to finish Uni and experiencing the stress of it all! I always find it's good to read blogs in which you can relate to!

Since then, I've been following Sarah on twitter and her to me too. We've had a couple of rendez-vous every now and again, so I can't believe I didn't think to feature her sooner.

But here we are, finally, with images of Sarah's fantastic graduate collection and great read as Sarah talks about her working style and what's next in her design career.

Name: Sarah Fleming

Age:21

Course: BA (hons) Textiles & Surface Design

University: Cleveland College of Art & Design

What was your concept for your graduate collection?

The title was 'Rejuvenation' - combining soft, feminine florals with bold, retro geometric shapes to create exciting, abstract wallpaper designs for the high-end Interiors market.

What is the key feature in your graduate collection?

bright colours and quirky, creative edge - especially with the designs that have an unfinished appearance which is something not really seen in the industry. 

How would you describe the way you work? 

Being able to work in both tight and loose styles shows I am very versatile, capable of adapting where relevant to confidently produce designs for both the commercial and more niche markets. 

Particularly inspired by the detail and beautiful patterns found in nature and my surroundings, I am motivated to achieve beautiful, highly informative observational drawings.
My highly detailed style shows me as an observant, neat, professional designer. A bright and self-motivated individual with excellent attention to colour and detail. I enjoy experimenting with a variety of screen & digital print techniques to create my designs but producing hand-rendered designs is where my true love lies. I am also capable of producing exquisite experimental development sheets, which are very unique and innovative and help me to stand out.

What inspired you to study Textiles?

I have always been interested in art and patterns and knew that I had a talent for drawing. I studied a Textiles course at college which covered gift, fashion and interiors as well as knitting and weaving. I knew after those two years that it was the surface pattern side of textiles that I wanted to study at degree level with a view to going into home furnishings design.

Did you collaborate with any artists/designers/companies or complete any work placements during your time at university?

I completed a placement with Kate Usher Studio in Gateshead during May-June 2011, , and I have just recently completed a 4week internship with TRENDART SRL LIMITED at their studio in Como, Italy. During both internships I spent most of my time drawing and I loved every minute. I am particularly proud that my hand drawn imagery is now featured in both Kate Usher’s ‘Jungle’ and ‘Aeronaut’ wallpapers from their current collection, as well as several designs for TRENDART SRL LIMITED. I was also lucky enough to contribute towards the design process with regards to colour and repeat which was exciting.

What inspires you?

Everything! I find myself being inspired by my surroundings and the people I meet wherever I go. 

Who are your favourite artists/designers/companies?

I have always loved the work of great companies like Cole & Son, Sanderson, Trendart, Zoffany, Graham & Brown and Harlequin. I am a keen blogger and social networker so I am constantly finding new designers/companies which I love. Twitter has been such a great tool to find new designers and I have especially loved getting to know newly graduates like myself and see their work through it. I think the PrintPattern blog is a fantastic site for inspiration and finding new designers/companies.

What's next??

I would like to gain further industry experience and continue to build on the success that I have had with regards to having artwork feature in designs for big companies. My ultimate aim is to become a successful freelance designer, creating beautiful drawings for market leading companies. 

Where can we see more of you?

Blog - sarahfleming11.blogspot.co.uk

Artsthread - http://www.artsthread.com/p/sarahfleming

Website coming soon!

Floral Friday: Samantha Richardson

For this weeks Floral Friday I have chosen Samantha Richardson, who's work I found on the Artsthread website. 


Despite her graduate collection not solely focusing on florals, I was attracted to her designs as I really loved her combination of florals and birds. 


Her beautiful outcomes are a part of her graduate collection named 'Where the Pelicans fly', an interior based project with gorgeous prints, created by Samantha's fantastic talent for drawing and watercolour. 


Having just graduated from London Metropolitan University after completing her degree in BA (Hons) Textile Design, Samantha is enjoying her free time and trying to develop her love for textiles and create her own style of working. On her Artsthread page, she says she enjoys recording and photographing objects that she can go back to and re-discover at a later date.


"Samantha's work is aimed at the interiors market; creating highly detailed, luxurious fabrics for bespoke cushions, throws and furnishings is where her passion lies".


To see more of Samantha, visit her Artsthread page here and visit her website here.

Graduate Profile: Hannah Miles

Another follow on post from my New Designers 2012: My Selections post (see here), it's Hannah Miles' turn for a graduate profile.

The Lougborough University stand was right next to mine at New Designers and I was incredibly interested in going to see what the students had produced as I went to look at Loughborough as a University choice. The work on the Loughborough stand was excellent with lots of great prints, fantastic weave and an innovative moving dress. 

However, it was Hannah Miles' beautiful floral collection that really caught my eye. Despite florals being one of the most popular prints around, its hard to design one that actually differs from the rest.

Hannah's collection was full of outstanding florals: beautifully drawn florals and fantastic placement prints. The collection really was stunning and I stood there for about five minutes saying how much I wanted all of the clothes! 

Here, Hannah talks about her graduate collection and her many inspirations and ambitions. 

Name: Hannah Miles

Age:22
Course: Printed Textile Design
University: Loughborough University

What was your concept for your graduate collection? 

My collection was based around the title 'Who said romance is dead?" 

I thought of this title over the summer before I went back to university for my final year. I always knew I wanted to do a floral project, but i wanted to give a standard floral project a twist. This is where the title came in and it allowed me to draw my florals in their dead and alive forms, giving my designs an edge.

What is the key feature in your graduate collection? 

I focused on the placement of my print. I wanted my designs to be desirable, current and wearable to all women. 

How would you describe the way you work? 

I always work by hand drawing my imagery. I like to start with fine liner pen to grasp the form of the imagery and then move onto colour which then forms the basis of my design work.

What inspired you to study Textiles? 

I have always had a love for fashion but did not want to go down the garment design route. I love to draw so printed textiles seemed like the best option for me. 

Did you collaborate with any artists/designers/companies or complete any work placements during your time at university?  

I carried out a number of work placements during my holiday time from university. I worked for companies such as Bolongaro Trevor, Brora, Ted Baker, Reiss and Nicole Farhi. 

What inspires you?

The streets inspire me. Seeing someone wearing something i like helps me develop my designs 

Who are your favourite artists/designers/companies? 

My favourite designer is Erdem without a doubt. The placement of his print and imagery he uses are always so beautiful I admire the creativity and fashion knowledge of his team! 

What's next?? 

Next I am off to New York to work for a company called 'Collection 18' for a year, or more ... wish me luck :)

Where can we see more of you?

Loughborough Textiles Graduates Page

Hannah Miles Blog

Graduate Profile: Natasha Bugg

Natasha Buggs fantastic geometric prints really caught my eye whilst browsing through Artsthread. Her graduate collection uses a mix of bright and subtle beautiful colours and her fashion illustrations are a great representation of the final prints and collection concept.

Here, Natasha talks about the concept for her graduate collection and what lies in her future as a Textile Designer.

Name: Natasha Bugg

Age: 22

Course:BA Textiles (Hons)

University: Norwich University College of the Arts

What was your concept for your graduate collection?

The concept for my graduate collection was around the idea of body image. I used scanned images of my body to develop into digital print designs. I wanted to convey the idea that whether you like your body or not it could be developed to make beautiful fashion fabrics to cover the body.

What is the key feature in your graduate collection?

The key feature in my graduate collection would be my own style of fashion contexts. I used scanned in faces and arms and arranged them to form a ‘model’ to input my fashion prints onto.

How would you describe the way you work?

I would say the way I work is raw to start with (photography, scanned images, drawings) but then developed and experimented with the use of Photoshop.

What inspired you to study Textiles?

I have always been inspired by art, design and fashion/interiors. Before starting my BA Textiles course my view of what Textiles could be was very limited but now I realise that Textiles is so open and that we are designers.

Did you collaborate with any artists/designers/companies or complete any work placements during your time at university? 

No, but I have taken part in competitions such as Bradford and Jam Tart.

What inspires you?

Prints! It doesn’t matter whether they are for fashion, interiors, stationary, cards I always focus on the print. For me it is more about the design rather than the fabric or material the print is placed upon.

Who are your favourite artists/designers/companies?

Basso & Brooke, Jean-Charles de Castelbajac, Jeremy Scott.

What's next??

I recently exhibited at New Designers Part 1 2012, Islington, London and I am currently in process of working with View Studios. I am also going to be involved in Patternbases first book project. 

Where can we see more of you?

You can visit my tumblr at natashabugg.tumblr.com. There you can find my graduate work but also see what I have been up to since graduating and new designers such as drawing and entering competitions such as Beta Fashion.

Floral Friday: Rachel Trenouth

Rachel Trenouth's gorgeous florals are very nontraditional, and this is why I love them. Rich in colour with eye-catching imagery, her prints are truly outstanding.


Having recently finished her BA(Hons) in Textile Design at Nottingham Trent University, Rachel's degree collection named "Captured Apparition" was inspired by blurred florals and the essence of light and shadow.

On her Artsthread page, Rachel says of her work:


"I used an array of digital and photographic methods to capture imagery such as scanning, photography and photograms and it resulted in a collection of diverse digital image sources which translated well into an original collection of digital prints.


I enjoy celebrating digital print and the vast unique qualities that are achievable. Strong photography and CAD based skills along with an eye for composition, colour and pattern, enable me to exploit and blur the boundaries between photography and textile design.

Pushing the effects achievable due to advancements in new technology makes my work fresh, on trend and exciting, offering an inspiring insight into new design outcomes.

I have discovered my own specific style of working; however I am a very versatile designer, and equally relish producing designs tailored to a specific company style."

Visit Rachel Trenouths website here and her Artsthread here.

Graduate Profile: Elisabeth Connor

Elisabeth Connors work is incredibly beautiful. Her gorgeous floral prints on soft, sheer materials give an air of elegance and class. 

I found her work at New Designers 2012 and featured her card on my post on my favourite designers at the exhibition, see here.

Elisabeth talks to me about her graduate collection, her style of working and what she's planning for the future.

Name: Elisabeth Connor

Age: 21
Course: Fashion Textiles
University: University of the West of England

What was your concept for your graduate collection?

It started with 1920s, using the image of dancer Margaret Severn floating down a windy beach as my muse and inspiration. I looked at Art movements of the time as well as the freedom for women of the time, represented by fashion and culture.

What is the key feature in your graduate collection?

My Kimono. The print is the most eye catching and as it walks down the catwalk I think it reflects the rest of the collection, ethereal and flowing but with a rich, luxurious quality.  

How would you describe the way you work? 

I think my style is classic and elegant. I like quality and finishing pieces intricately by hand. I like to use processes such as hand painting, drawing, needlework and dying to get the colours and patterns of my prints as well as using modern practises like Photoshop to digitise them into something unique. 

What inspired you to study Textiles?

Art. Paintings. Visualising wonderful pieces of art on fabric and the luxury of wearing them on the body.

Did you collaborate with any artists/designers/companies or complete any work placements during your time at university? 

I have recently collaborated with editorial photographer David Piper for two magazine shoots. In university I collaborated with a 3rd year photography student, Tiffany Davies for my photo shoot in a National Trust House in Bristol. I have also completed work experiences ranging from Harvey Nichols to Armondi. 

What inspires you?

Beautiful things. Embellishment. Tiny details which are brushed over. Hand crafted items. Art. History. Classic items seen through a contemporary perspective.

Who are your favourite artists/designers/companies? 

Stella McCartney, Erdem, Preen, Ellie Saab. Degas, Gaudi, Walter j Phillips, Helen Frankenthaler, Anna Dillon 

What's next?? I am currently looking at Internships with my favourite designers in London and abroad, looking at Australia for fashion and India for textiles. Until then I am working to pay off my collection! And continuing work on my portfolio, looking at a fresh topic of 1960s thrillers..

Where can we see more of you? 

http://www.elisabethconnor.com/