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Each year, Year 12 Textile A’ Level students visit the New Designers at the Islington Business Centre in London, where Universities offering Textile Degree courses showcase the best of their graduates work.
This year our visit was even more special as some former RMS students were represented, and our current students were able to meet with them and hear about their personal accounts of their Degree work and life at University. The aim of the visit is for Year 12 students to gain inspiration for their A’ Level work as well as provide an opportunity to explore the many University options available for studying Textile Design.
It was wonderful to see Francesca Smyth’s work (Head Girl 2015) selected to represent the University of Edinburgh, Francesca graduated with a First Class Honours Degree. Her work was a commentary about sustainable textiles and the place of craft in the industry, where every person is credited for their role in the process of fibre to fabric. She spoke about the skills RMS students leave school with which have assisted her, such as public speaking. We were delighted to hear that Francesca was the Society of Dyers and Colourists Scottish winner.
We also met up with Kate Dixon who represented Loughborough University. Once again she was able to talk with some of our current students about her work which was inspired by political demonstrations. The university had purchased one of her designs for their archive collection. Kate also spoke about the work of former student Phoebe Shaw who also graduated from Loughborough. They are awaiting their results.
The RMS students attended a workshop organised by Coventry University creating a 3D collage portraying themselves. Mrs Bloomfield-Proud enjoyed meeting up with her life long friend Sally Morfill who is a Senior Lecturer in the Textiles in Practice programme at Manchester School of Art.
All in all, it was an inspiring day out for staff and students alike – and we look forward to returning in future years, and who knows? We might see our current A Level students' work being exhibited!