Meet Claire Jeffrey, a fashion and technology graduate from Arts University Bournemouth. Claire’s final year project is a swimwear collection called “Swim With Joyce” and is inspired by old photographs of her grandmother, Joyce. The resort swimwear offering is made using dead stock materials from earlier projects in order to reduce waste. Read more about Claire and her work below!
What is the most valuable thing you have learnt at university?
Studying at Arts University Bournemouth has taught me so much about the fashion industry. The most valuable thing I have learnt from university, apart from my practical and sewing skills, is that work should be enjoyable and you should do something you love. For myself this is digital fashion. I love working with technology, especially, Clo3d. I have also learnt about the importance of sustainability in the fashion industry. I believe digital fashion is a more sustainable route. Producing virtual avatars to check the fit of the garment is a great, visual method instead of producing several toiles which results in a lot of fabric waste. I have also discovered my own creative style. I have developed a passion for resort wear and activewear. My drawing skills on the computer have also increased dramatically. Over the three years I have had the opportunity to learn vital skills which has prepared me for a career within the fashion industry.
What was the starting point of inspiration for your final project?
The starting point of my inspiration, for my final major project, came from photographs and slides I found in my grandmothers’ loft. I was especially interested in the photographs of my grandmother, ‘Joyce’ at the beach. I noticed how smart and modest her beachwear was compared to today’s skimpy swimwear. As a former swimming teacher, myself, I have merged my passion for swimming and my families swimming past to create a contemporary resort wear collection called, ‘Swim with Joyce.’ I was also inspired by patchwork. Reusing scraps of fabric, I had left over from projects was a great, simple way to use them instead of throwing them away. Reducing fabric waste is very important to help sustainability within the fashion industry. For my final major project, I used scraps of left-over fabric from my collection to reduce fabric waste.
What form does your final project take?
My resort wear collection, Swim with Joyce, has a strong digital presence. I have used CLO3d and Lectra for pattern cutting and checking the fit of toiles. I have designed a line up consisting of 7 outfits, including a ‘mini me’ for a child. I really enjoyed manufacturing my collection. It consists of a variety of beachwear garments and swimwear. Due the current pandemic I have only manufactured half of my collection. However, using Clo3d has enabled me to work from home to produce a virtual collection of what it would have looked like. This is an amazing software and I really enjoyed using it. It’s also great to see my collection on figures and it will help me when I can eventually manufacture my collection. After I have finished producing my collection, I will have a photoshoot, hopefully abroad on holiday, in different destinations such as a beach and swimming pool resort.
What materials have you used and how did you source them?
I wanted my materials to be lightweight and have a textured, vintage feeling to them. I sourced my fabrics from Paris but some were from London. The types of fabrics I chose included, Cotton Seersucker, Cheesecloth, Handwoven Cotton and Broidery. I experimented a lot with patchwork. I began my project being inspired by patchwork. I wanted my colour palette to reflect a fun, beach environment. The colours included: Yellow, Green, Blue, Coral and White, all in different shades. I produced a large patchwork piece out of all of the scraps of fabrics I had left after manufacturing large pieces of my collection. I then scanned this in to produce a digital print which was printed on Lycra for my swimwear pieces.
How has it evolved from your initial ideas and what have you learnt along the way?
My final major project has developed from my initial ideas a lot and I have developed each idea thoroughly. So many aspects of my collection have changed such as, my colour palette, designs and techniques. For example, when I began my collection, I experimented with a technique called, Shirring. This is an elastic thread that I put into the bobbin of my sewing machine to make parts of the garments elasticated. I found the elastic kept snapping so my university bought a shirring machine. This is a great machine which sews elastic into the garment in a row. It is very durable and didn’t snap. I used this for my waistbands to make the waist sit well and add volume. I have learnt to take my time and make sure I complete my work to my best of my ability. I used appropriate techniques and found solutions for things that didn’t work and made sure they were suitable for my collection. I didn’t want to rush any work as this is where mistakes happen. I believe in quality not quantity.
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?
I would love to make people more aware of the benefits of digital fashion. Software such as, Clo3d helps to reduce fabric waste, time and energy. Sustainability is so important in the fashion industry and I believe every designer should be trying to incorporate a way of being sustainable. Everyone can do their bit to be more sustainable. Whether it is to reuse old clothes, transform clothes into something else or buy from a business which focuses on sustainability and producing quality garments.
What’s an aspect of the fashion industry that you’re passionate about fixing or having a positive impact on?
As I have mentioned previously, I am passionate about digital fashion. Technology within fashion is growing and I believe it is the future. I can’t wait to see what else is invented to help reduce fabric waste. I am also passionate about buying quality clothing over fast fashion clothing. During my final major project, I explored my grandmothers essential clothing she made during the war. I believe clothing needs to be more essential rather than buying unnecessary clothing that results in more fabric waste. Also, instead of throwing away garments, can they be reused or remade? The life of a garment needs to be increased and be manufactured to last. Quality over quantity.
What is your plan once you finish your BA?
During this pandemic I will be using my time to create pieces using fabric I have collected from my three years at University. I am always looking for ways to reuse fabric or garments I no longer need. However, when it is possible again, I hope to find a full-time job within the fashion industry. I can’t wait to start my career and investigate different avenues. I am especially interested in digital fashion and fashion buying but I am open to exploring all routes. I would also love to work for a business that has a strong interest in sustainability and doing something to help the fashion industry.