BA (Hons) Fashion Design

Heather is a practising designer, creative entrepreneur and an educator who disrupts the conventions of design to shift beyond the boundaries of fashion, art, craft, business and design activism. Critical making, propositional thinking and a constant questioning of the framework all propel the work that Heather undertakes in the studio, in business and in the classroom. Heather relocated to the UK from the west coast of Canada to begin postgraduate study with the Glasgow School of Art where she recently completed a Masters of Research in Design Innovation. In Canada she worked under her own conceptually driven internationally recognised fashion label MONO and comes from a background in education, leading fashion and product design courses at both Emily Carr University and Vancouver Community College. UN-MAKE & RE-CLOTHE is a new practice-based research project for Heather’s design firm MONO. It pilots investigations using the constraints of circular economy design ideologies, to generate insight into how design can innovate future capabilities and systems within fashion design. Glasgow School of Art and Royal College of Art have collectively commissioned components of the UN-MAKE & RE-CLOTHE work as part of a larger collaborative research venture into manufacturing for the circular economy.

After studying fine art at Marmara University Istanbul, Ilker Cinarel moved to the UK in 2000 to work in London, as a Designer Assistant for Vivienne Westwood's Gold Label range. Ilker then went on to work as a Designer Assistant for Giorgio Armani in Milan and as the Visual Merchandising Co-Ordinator for all Giorgio Armani UK stores. He studied an MA Fine Art Contemporary Practice at Falmouth University and graduating in September 2011, won the Sandra Blow Award and 2014 Inland Art Festival Award. Ilker's practice is multidisciplinary and explores many different mediums ranging from installation, painting, drawing, sculpture and performance. His work has been exhibited both nationally and internationally at Porthmeor Studios, Newlyn Art Gallery, The Montage Gallery and the 6th Istanbul Biennale. His research projects have included an internship with Höchst and Retsch porcelain companies in Germany. Recent works are also held in private collections.

Fashion and textiles designer Katie Furzer has worked for household name brands including Dickies, SuperDry Japan, New Look and Timberland, specialising in producing beautiful, innovative couture design together with trend-led commercial work. A designer first, Katie previously led on Textiles and Surface Design at degree level at University Centre Somerset, while studying for her MA in Fashion and Textiles at Bath Spa University. In her spare time, Katie loves to paddle board and mountain bike as well as running and yoga. She also loves reading, which she does on her train commute to Plymouth.

Jen Moorby is a highly skilled and versatile fashion professional with a rich background in the industry. A graduate of Arts University Plymouth, Jennifer earned a First Class Honours in BA (Hons) Fashion in 2019 and is currently a Technical Demonstrator in the Sew Lab. In the professional realm, Jennifer has amassed a wealth of experience, showcasing her adaptability and technical prowess across various roles. Between 2020 and 2022, she served as a Pattern Cutter at Westward Bound, where she was instrumental in creating new designs and innovative solutions, working closely with the Head of Design and Manufacture. Her role involved a myriad of responsibilities, including drafting new designs, creating grading tables, and managing the pattern room. Jennifer's journey in the fashion industry is marked by a series of successful stints in various capacities. In 2019, she worked as a freelancer for Amy Cook, where she honed her skills in garment designing and pattern cutting. This was followed by a three-month internship at Makers HQ, where she focused on digital pattern cutting and grading using Optitex. Jennifer's expertise also extends to digital platforms, proficient in using software like Gerber and IDigit, skills she further developed during her two-month internship at Grade House in 2018. Beyond her technical skills, Jennifer is known for her high-level pattern cutting abilities. She possesses a deep understanding of garment construction, utilising a variety of techniques and fabrics. Her proficiency extends to Adobe Suites including Photoshop, Illustrator, and InDesign, and she is adept at creating technical packs and conducting research. Jennifer's attention to detail and analytical approach to design have earned her several accolades, including being selected to represent Arts University Plymouth at the Graduate Fashion Week 2019 catwalk and winning the Art Couture Painswick Wearable Art Competition in 2016. Outside of her professional life, Jennifer is a proactive learner with a keen interest in sustainable fashion and British manufacture. She is constantly updating and developing her skills to stay abreast of the current trends and technologies in the fashion industry.

An experienced stylist and visual merchandiser, Alanna has created window installations and overseen creative styling for some of the highstreet's best-known brands. Working at Oxford Street’s flagship Miss Selfridge and Topshop Knightsbridge in London, her creative installations have been seen by an average of 4.3 million people a week. Alanna has significant experience of retail environments and their working and has led a creative team responsible for opening stores around the UK, including high-profile store refurbishments and new store openings. Also responsible for styling for press events, Alanna studied Cultural Studies and Media Communications at Bath Spa university, where she specialized in identity in music and fashion cultures, and is passionate about the discussion of these areas within Fashion Media and Marketing.