Meet Izzy Calver, De Montfort University Catwalk Show Winner at GFW22. Izzy studied Fashion Design at De Montfort University.
How do you feel about winning a GFW22 award?
Very proud and shocked!
What was the inspiration starting point for your award-winning FMP?
My inspiration comes from my favourite arcade as a child which is called Magic City. I used to go there all the time with my family and upon a recent visit it really hasn’t changed much at all which is quite rare these days. I love the sense of overload that an arcade has such as the noise, lights and people, so i wanted to bring that to my collection.
What skills did you learn and develop during the production of your FMP?
I really wanted to improve my technical knit skills for this one, I practised for many hours by testing trims, yarns and different machinery to achieve the best outcome. I became so much more confident in my ability from FMP because it was very independent and i had a vision that i wanted to follow.
What were some challenges that you faced in producing your FMP and how did you overcome these?
Time was the biggest struggle as the deadlines are very tight, and as i discovered knitwear is extremely time consuming. I really had to plan each day and set myself realistic goals, but also sometimes just go with the flow of that day and if something isn’t working just focus on the next part. It's all about balance and by staying calm i really enjoyed the whole process and managed to hit those deadlines!
Are there any messages or major themes in your FMP that you want people to take away? If so, how did you choose to communicate with them?
I really saw a gap in the market for colourful, experimental and unique knitwear for men. That is why i wanted to create a menswear collection, as it can give men a more expressive choice of garments when looking for knitwear.
What is an aspect of the fashion industry that you want to help improve or have a positive impact on?
I want it to be more equal, i think fashion is so focused on women, but everyone wears clothes ! And i think with more options for interesting silhouettes, fabrics and colours more people will choose to be more expressive with their clothing choices.
What form does your FMP take? Is it a collection of clothing, book, presentation, etc? If relevant, how did you source the materials for the project?
Fully knitted menswear collection of 7 garments, I saved a-lot of my yarns from previous projects so luckily i did not have to buy all new yarns! I used a mixture of new yarns and second hand.
What are your plans for the near future (further study/ internship/ work?) now that you've finished your BA?
I am currently working as a Design Assistant for AllSaints, I just want to keep working in the industry and keep learning more everyday. I just love it.
