GSA Textile and Fashion Promenade

Scotland has an acclaimed history when it comes to producing textiles and the garments that they create, from Arran knit, Fair Isle, Harris Tweed to the Inverness cape and the Mackintosh raincoat. This idea of quality raw materials and excellent making skills is a tradition that the Glasgow School of Art Fashion and Textiles department prides itself on continuing.

After completing a 12 month, full time, postgraduate programme created to 'extend, develop and hone each individual's design signature,' the newest group of GSA Fashion and Textile Masters students will showcase their collections in the beautiful surroundings of The Mackintosh Museum.

This MDes course appeals to two 'types' of fashion student, who have completely different ways of working. One can be said to be ‘textile led,' and is concerned with surface decoration (print or embellishment) or fabric structure (knit or weave). The other can be generally described as ‘silhouette led’ primarily considering the cut, shape and construction. The Promenade will show the work of 10 students, some 'textile led' and others 'silhouette led' but both exciting and innovative.

Highlights of the 2011 collections promise to include work from Scottish weaver, Dora Hetherington, whose work re-imagines men's pyjamas, creating something very unexpected; Saudi Arabian born Ruwaidah Softah, who reinterprets the Abayah (a robe like garment which is part of Arabic cultural dress) and Chinese student, Ren Chen Juan who uses embroidery to transform a prim school uniform into something altogether more grown up.

Course director Jimmy Stephen-Cran says: "This year's cohort demonstrate an innate understanding for the immediate visual impact colour, texture, scale and pattern can have on fashion. It is a delight to see a revival of artisan skills such as crochet and ikat weaving and raffia embroidery but with none of the ‘home spun’ connotations."

We are definitely excited about seeing the results for ourselves.