My name is Amelia and I am a final year Textile Design student specialising in digital print. Although I study design, the research behind the project is always my favourite part. I wanted my final design collection to be heavily research driven and to tell a story. Using art as a method of telling stories is something which really interests me. My Great Great Grandfather, Andrew Pitcairn-Knowles, was a photographic journalist who captured the lives of hundreds. His black and white photographs of people going about their day to day lives inspired me to think about using print as a method of storytelling. The Bayeux tapestry, which depicts the events of the Norman conquest of England, has always fascinated me; through hundreds and hundreds of small motifs, history is retold. Similarly, Toile De Jouy is a print method of reporting stories, little scenes are shown across meters of fabric documenting different themes such as hunting, war and romance. For the first half of my collection I decided to look at modern day issues and create prints inspired by them. I created prints inspired by the difference in treatment by the British press of Prince William and Kate and Prince Harry and Meghan; the effects of war on people and their homes; off-shoring clothing production to developing countries; overfishing and finally political protests. I designed these prints for denim jackets. Continuing this idea of telling stories, the second half of my collection was really inspired by Covid-19 and lockdown. During the first few weeks of lockdown I read that David Hockney was documenting the changing seasons from Spring to Summer in his house in France, his bright, bold and texturized paintings of nature were a real source of inspiration for this project. I wanted to explore what people were missing during these unprecedented times such as family and friends. I wanted to tell stories for those who were stuck in doors unable to access any green space. I was inspired by the well-ness trend and the idea that thousands of people were working from home and therefore needed comfort; the prints are designed for men’s Cotton and Linen shirts. It was a challenge to work from home as opposed to a studio, but it made this project more meaningful and personal, especially through the theme of story-telling. Having finished University, I am hoping to work in the business side of fashion in particular buying.

Instagram: @ac_textiledesign

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