End of Term visited the E & A clothing fashion show at Queen Margaret Union in Glasgow and caught up with some of the designers there...

Name: Aimee Beattie

Age: 22

What university did you attend?

I attended North Glasgow College for two years then went on to Heriot Watt University to complete my honours degree.

What course did you do?

At college I did Fashion Design, with Production and Retail, thenwent on to do Fashion Design for Industry at University.

How much and in what ways did your course help you?

At college I learned a lot about advanced pattern cutting and how to make garments professionally - techniques I still use today. I then went directly into third year at Heriot Watt. The Fashion Design course is intense but that is what you need in order to be a good designer. They helped me to create
garments from an art point of view –researching different themes to create innovative designs.

How would you describe your style?

I would say my style is quite structured, I like quite dark colours as a base so that the silhouette is the main focus. I always like to look at different ways of making garments and try to change my fabric choices so that my style is always developing.

Where do you take your influences from?

Anywhere and everywhere! For my final collection my inspiration was the speed of light, I took images of moving lights on a busy motorway and these images became the main source of inspiration for colour and silhouette. I also take influences from music and architecture.

What are you doing now?

At the moment I am collaborating with my friend and fellow designer Paul Smith, we have created the label Mee Mee Smith and are currently working on launching the label next month.

What advice would you offer people who are interested in becoming fashion designers?

I think that you need to be really passionate about it. If you want it then you need to be willing to work for it and it will definitely pay off. For those who are not really sure, I would definitely suggest college, that way you can try something that you are interested in but if you like it you have somewhere to move on to.

Name: Paul Smith (No, not that one)

Age: 21

What university did you attend?

School Of Design and Textiles, Heriot Watt University

What course did you do?

Clothing Design & Manufacture

How much and in what ways did your course help you?

My course provided me with an excellent understanding of how to produce garments to a professional standard. The course encompassed all aspects of the clothing industry and I felt that I graduated with exceptionally strong skills that can be applied to many different areas within the fashion industry.

How would you describe your style?

Fun, Eclectic, Creative and Individual. Confidence completes any outfit!!

Where do you take your influences from?

I take influence from many different areas including the people on the streets of Glasgow, celebrities and history.

What are you doing now?

I’m working on establishing my own label alongside my good friend Aimee Beattie.Our label’s called Mee Mee Smith. It’s a really exciting time for us both and we’re looking forward to finding out what the future holds for our label!

What advice would you offer peolpe who are interested in becoming fashion designers?

I would say it’s really important to study to a degree level and to gain as much work experience as possible. Although I learned a lot from my course it wasn’t until I did a work placement with the label House of Holland that I put many of my skills into working practice.

Name: Linsey Wright

Age: 23

What university did you attend?

Heriot Watt University, School of Textile and Design.

What course did you do?

Fashion Design for Industry.

How much and in what ways did your course help you?

Without the course I wouldn’t have started knitting, I did a year at ECA but moved to Heriot Watt University as the facilities are brilliant.

How would you describe your style?

Unique – mixing vintage, high street and designer.

Where do you take your influences from?

I take my influences from so many things! The yarns and fabrics that I am working with, the female form and vintage style… especially the 50’s pin up girl!

What are you doing now?
Working on my own label PUSSYBOWPEEP which has just launched at E&A Clothing and also for a knitwear company in the Scottish Borders.

What advice would you offer people who are interested in becoming fashion designers?
Get as much work experience as possible. You can never have enough industry experience and expect a lot of hard work.