Catherine Angus, 21 De Montfort University
Your Design Background:
I have done work placements with French Connection and Nicole Farhi in the pattern cutting rooms and am about to start a 3 month placement with Ossie Clark.
What was the concept behind your collection?
The concept behind my collection was that the clothes not only look good but feel great to wear with the mixture of different textured yarns.
What machine(s) did you use for your collection/ or what techniques did you use?
The collection was pretty much half hand knit and half machine knit, mainly in stocking stitch with a loop stitch incorporated as the collection was about the combination of contrasting yarns as opposed to using many different stitches.
Where do you get inspiration from?
I normally work with one source in inspiration and will then pick designer images later to try and help the design process
What made you pursue knitwear?
I did knitwear for my capsule collection and I feel that I am a lot more creative within knit than with woven fabrics so I was encouraged by my tutor to pursue this
Why did you choose to go to De Montfort?
I chose to go to De Montfort because I felt it was a really well rounded course that covered pretty much every area of fashion which I felt was a really important thing as it would allow me to go into any area of fashion that I wanted
What do you think of your course at De Montfort?
Looking back I think it was an amazing opportunity and I am so glad I picked De Montfort. The thing that really makes the course though is the tutors who always push us to do more and really encourage us to reach our potential. Without the tutors pushing to improve the course and improve us there is no where the course can go. Press is so important in fashion and De Montfort is slowly beginning to get a name for itself but you need people who are prepared to put in long term commitment to get there.
Which piece out of your collection took the longest to make?
The crochet silk jacket took around 9 days to make working around 15 hour days
What have your highest and lowest points been during your degree?
Highest is most definitely the finishing of final collection and seeing it at GFW and then all the positive press it got. I would say the lowest was probably the very beginning of the course, coming straight from school I didn’t really know what was expected of me and I found it pretty difficult but that makes what I have achieved seem even better!
What are you’re plans for your career after graduation?
I am going to start a work placement with Ossie Clark over the summer, then in October I will be beginning a post graduate course creative pattern cutting course at LCF.
What advice would you give to students going into their final year?
Just put everything you have into it because if you look back and think ‘oh I could have done that better’ you will regret it and it is definitely worth it in the end!
What do you wish you had known at the start of university?
I would say how hard it was going to be but I think that the fact that it was so hard makes what we have achieved all the more rewarding
Where would you like to see yourself in 5 years time?
I would like to be a really well established pattern cutter, definitely working my way to head of a pattern room with a plan in place to start my own business, perhaps with friends creating unique designs. I definitely want to pursue knitwear at some point in my career as the whole Graduate Fashion Week experience has really encouraged me to do this
Will you be selling your collection?
I have been contacted by a couple of people concerning the sale of my collection and I think if I have the opportunity I probably will sell it as for the moment I definitely need the money to help me with my future career!
