UKFT’s MADE IT Masterclass at Plymouth College of Art
11/12/2020
UKFT held a production and sourcing masterclass for fashion design students at Plymouth College of Art to provide a better understanding of real-life production and sourcing in industry, and highlight the benefits and opportunities of working with UK manufacturers.
The masterclass is part of UKFT’s MADE IT programme, which will see UKFT delivering a masterclass to students at five universities and offer one student from each participating university a fully financially-supported internship opportunity within a fashion or textile production environment in the UK.
Plymouth College of Art BA (Hons) Fashion student Megan Roberts’ final collection on the catwalk at Graduate Fashion Week 2020. Image credit: Graduate Fashion Foundation
The masterclass was delivered by Daliah Simble-Hearn, a product lifecycle management consultant with more than 25 years of experience working with brands including Jigsaw, Roland Mouret, Chinti and Parker, Monsoon, Sophie Webster, Frost French, Ben Sherman, Hunter and Liberty.
Daliah said, “This masterclass gives students an in-depth understanding of production and sourcing for the fashion and textiles industry, from a global perspective and with a closer focus on UK sourcing – [it is] the tool kit you need to start your own brand, or enter the fashion industry.”
Heather Martin, Plymouth College of Art Senior Lecturer & Subject Leader for BA (Hons) Fashion Design said, “The UKFT masterclass prepares students with valuable insight of the industry beyond their studies. With this new production and sourcing knowledge they have gained a better understanding of the wealth of technical and creative roles available throughout the supply chain.
“Made in the UK manufacturing makes sense for both luxury and high street design. A workshop like this embeds the importance of manufacturing locally, and luckily our students have Plymouth based fashion and textiles sampling studio Makers HQ right on their doorstep!”
Second year BA (Hons) Fashion student Bridget Bimha attended the workshop and said, “I was blown away by the amount of knowledge and experience Daliah had. The masterclass has changed the way I think about the fashion industry, and has helped me to make some changes to my own business. I came to study fashion from the comfort of my lounge, where I just used to make things for my family and friends, until word got out and an opportunity arose for me to have my own place, as well as study at the same time; so I am learning all about the fashion industry from scratch. My tutors are brilliant, and I thank them for opening up opportunities for me to hear from and learn from people who are making a difference out in the industry.”
MADE IT is a three-year project and UKFT is working with Plymouth College of Art, Winchester School of Art, De Montfort University and Bucks New University and the University of Salford for the 2020-21 academic year.
Work by Leona Robertson for our 2019 Degree Shows. Photograph by Sarah Packer
Find out more about MADE IT here
In addition to the MADE IT programme, UKFT offers a variety of Masterclasses for Academic and Education settings and industry. Find out more below.