Meet Jessica Craddock, a fashion design graduate from Nottingham Trent University. Jessica’s award-winning fashion concept was all about celebrating handcrafts through a 6 outfit collection, inspired by a poem called Patient People that was written by her grandad. Read on below!
How do you feel about winning an award at GFW21?
I was completely over the moon when I found out I had won, it was such a surreal moment especially after the strange and difficult year we have all had. I never imagined winning such an exciting award and finishing my 3 years of university on this achievement feels so extraordinary. I’m so proud of everyone involved and to see my fellow classmates achieve the same has been so special.
What is the most valuable thing you have learnt at university?
I think listening to advice from other peers and tutors is always useful, even when you think you've got your heart set on something, you can't know what your final outcome will be at the beginning because your work will always develop. Asking for help is your most useful tool.
What was the starting point of inspiration for your final project?
Since researching and reading about the production of mass-produced goods, I became greatly interested the lost art of craftsmanship and the slow process these highly skilled people take. The message my FMP communicates is that we must recognize the art of the human hand and the process behind craftsmanship to lead a sustainable lifestyle, appreciating the story behind the material goods we buy.
My initial research was through collecting primary and secondary visual imagery, firstly exploring a poem that my grandad wrote about Craftsmen called Patient People this sparked the idea of looking at an array of different crafting practises. I gathered visual images from a magazine I purchased from Japan that celebrated global crafts and this allowed me to collect different cultural references, I wanted to appreciate the different processes and bring eastern and western together.
What form does your FMP take?
My FMP ‘Patient People’ is a line-up of 6 outfits, two of which I was able to manufacture. As my project aimed to make the garments a reflection of great craftsmanship and therefore including my own craftsmanship, I explored a range of techniques to celebrate the patience it takes for garments to be made. I developed knowledge on the saddle stitch machine, something I have not used before, learning how to successfully create surface designs. This has become part of my USP, using machines that require time, patience, and craftsmanship to create beautifully finished garments.
What materials have you used and how did you source them?
I have used traditional workwear fabrics to ensure my garments are built for longevity and are durable. I was lucky enough to use donated fabrics from Lavenham, a quilted nylon which i used for one of my coats. As well as this I used end of roll Craig Green wool which is extremely high quality and therefore creates a sustainable aspect to my collection. I also sourced vintage nail aprons from America, which were worn by hardware store workers, I have been able to repurpose them as pockets on some of my garments.
How has it evolved from your initial ideas and what have you learnt along the way?
I believe that the project has kept to my initial concept mostly, however, I think it has become more personal due to my own practise of craftsmanship in my project. My initial focus was looking into craftsmanship practises, looking into contemporary and vintage images focusing on the clothing and equipment they used for their craft. However, I do believe I have been able to push my concept into my own craft through being patient within the techniques I have used and developed in this project.
Due to Covid-19 it has been quite difficult to always feel inspired, but I think I was able to push my 2D work more than I would usually have been able to through styling exercises, collages and experimenting with different illustration techniques. Having a solid 2D foundation, I was able to really push my 3D realisation and therefore develop new skills surrounding overcoming creative blocks.
What are the messages and themes behind your project that you want people to take away? Do explore any topics like diversity, sustainability or politics in your work?
My concept for my FMP has developed through my growing concerns of the fast world we live in and my dissertation - Making, Mind, Men: An exploration into the male consumer and if craft can support a sustainable future - closely links to the themes I have explored in my FMP. My FMP explored sustainability through appreciating the craftsmanship behind the items we buy. One main research point from looking into craftsmanship is that the crafts last a lifetime and longer because of the precision and care people have for them. This is something that is often lost in the fashion world, and I wanted to bring this into my collection.
What’s an aspect of the fashion industry that you’re passionate about fixing or having a positive impact on?
I am passionate about sustainability as we all should be, I think it’s an exciting time for designers with new innovative ways of manufacture and fabrics. However, I think it is important to look at the past for traditional methods, craftsmanship being one, designers like JW Anderson are true inspirations for these movements.
Now that you have finished your degree, what's your plan?
I want to continue learning my craft, through gaining internships/ placements, learning more through industry professionals to continue building my knowledge and love of fashion.