DAVINA CLAIRE WALLACE PERSONAL STATEMENT
My four year Fashion Design degree course at Leeds University has extended my passion for a career within the Fashion Industry but has also given me the opportunity to explore many new roles within the industry. Having had the opportunity to spend 7 months in Australia working for 5 very different companies in a variety of roles, from assisting the Head Garment Technologist in creating samples, graphics, editing images, social media, quality control, pattern drafting and many more in between, as well as working with Jenny Packham, London, completing a lot of intricate hand sewing, cutting out toiles and quality control, I believe that I have an excellent grounding to further my career and continue to expand my knowledge and skills.
Whilst in Australia, I worked for First Base which is a small sustainable company that produces leisure and sportswear. This amazing experience really excited me and so I decided to do my dissertation on sustainability within sportswear. Having had first hand experience by working with First Base, I was also given the opportunity to visit the offices of Patagonia, Manchester, and learn about their responsible attitude to producing garments of strength and quality that is required to ensure that their products are ‘fit for purpose’. The two companies, being very different from each other in their final garments, but having the same ethos, has driven me further to upcycle garments as much as possible. An example of my work is my jacket and boiler suit that I designed and made using recycled denim. It was a very fulfilling garment to make as, not only is it fun and appealing to the current younger generation, it is also fully sustainable, with most of the denim sourced from Oxfam shops and family/friends.
During my spare time, I am an active fitness enthusiast and am a member of BMF (Be Military Fit) where we meet on regular sessions and complete various workout from basic running techniques to weight and strength training along with body weight training. This gives me an additional focus on my design work and also gives me the opportunity to try out some of the garments that I have previously helped complete whilst working for First Base, Australia.
Recently, whilst in lockdown, I completed an online course through UAL, London, called Fashion Illustrations. This gave me the opportunity to explore different ways of drawing and how to emphasise the characteristics of a garment that I wished to showcase. I am always looking at various opportunities to compliment my work in order to gain further knowledge.
My attention to detail is paramount and have received a wonderful reference from First Base highlighting this. I am always looking at ways to improve myself and my work as well as expanding my knowledge and capabilities. I have a bright, friendly and enthusiastic disposition and always strive to give my very best on every assignment that is given to me.
