Meet Misha Farooq, a fashion design graduate from the University of Central Lancashire. Her final major project is scientifically inspired by the relationship between the sun and the earth, using thermochromatic fabrics to mimic the energy transfer between the two. Read more below!
What is the most valuable thing you have learnt at university?
Throughout my 4 years at University, I have learnt a number of things. However, the most valuable thing would be the improvement I have made in my pattern cutting and CAD skills. As I had no prior experience in CAD, therefore, it was a new technique to be able to show my work and thought process digitally. This particularly came in handy in the recent events of COVID - 19. during this period my opportunity with an apprenticeship was cut short, so I spent it improving my skills in CAD and learning new techniques in pattern cutting.
What was the starting point of inspiration for your final project?
My inspiration for the final project stemmed from a new interest in scientific discovery books and theories that I read about online. These articles piqued my interest which allowed me to form a concept based on science for my final project. So, I decided to do my project on the relationship between the sun and the Earth along with the mechanism involved in harnessing solar energy to benefit the Earth. I did this by using the two main elements that the sun provides the Earth which include light and heat. For my project, I also visited an exhibition on the sun in Manchester which give in-depth information on the sun and how the scientists are trying to harness its powers to give us another source of energy.
What form does your final project take?
My 2 final looks represented the relationship between the sun and earth. I showed this through my colour choice in my two different garments, one of them was bright while the other had more earthy tones to it but had patterns of the sun shown through different wavelengths. Both had reflective materials to show the connection to the sun rays and the red jacket also had a zip feature with fabric underneath the changes colour when it comes in contact with a heat source, and the reflective fabric was used to show the change light can make from different perspectives. I also used a heat transfer technique which allowed me to show the geometric patterns inspired by the structure of solar panels.
What materials have you used and how did you source them?
Finding the perfect fabrics to fit my theme for the final project became a hard task because of the global pandemic which made it very difficult to get the right fabrics as I was not able to buy them in person and instead had to buy them online which took its time coming as COVID - 19 affected deliveries. It was most difficult to find reflective fabrics as many places don’t seem to sell them online, and when I did find them, it was very expensive to buy 1 metre of reflective fabric.
I had the same issue when looking for thermochromic fabric which is a fabric that changes colours with heat, as I had to visit many different sites before I found one that sold it for a decent price, even then I had to have it shipped from America because England doesn't sell thermochromic fabric at all which extended the waiting period. UCLan did help me with some of the expenses as they provided us with vouchers to help.
How has it evolved from your initial ideas and what have you learnt along the way?
At the beginning of my project, I was designing for couture glam look which was a lot of dresses and did not show what I was trying to say, so I changed my style to streetwear which allowed me to experiment more with textile techniques to show my concept better. My next change was to the customer which initially began as a female, however I changed from female to male to test my creativity and ability to adapt. From this I was able to see how well I could design for menswear as this was my first attempt at in this area in fashion. This allowed me to explore more techniques but also controlled my urges to go overboard which I tend to do a lot and with menswear applying too much just doesn’t work, so it helped me to notice when to stop.
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 want to show how solar power could change the future for the earth. If we are able to harness the power of the sun which would help, make the earth more sustainable and would help with many environmental issues we suffer from right now as there would cause less population. If scientists are able to succeed in creating an artificial sun, then that would help sort out our energy crisis as we are running out of fossil fuels so we need another option to provide us with energy that wouldn't affect the eco-system too much, and solar power could be that future.
What’s an aspect of the fashion industry that you’re passionate about fixing or having a positive impact on?
Small businesses are where the fashion industry began, without them there wouldn’t be a fashion industry to begin with. Whilst they helped start up many major brands today the majority of small businesses are suffering due to a number of factors. In my personal experience it has been proven that starting up a small business is difficult as they have no financial support other themselves. Personally, I think it would be helpful for small businesses to have a platform where they can get the exposure needed for them to succeed. Since my family runs a small business, I am able to understand the aspects of advertising needed for the correct exposure to be an issue. Along with this issue there is also the matter of the lack of funds in small businesses, especially post COVID as there was huge setback for the majority.
What is your plan once you finish your BA?
University has prepared me for the future in fashion as I have learnt all the basic skills that would help with any fashion job, however, I feel like I still have a lot to learn, and that can only be gained by experience, so I would be thrilled to get any job in the industry at this point because I just want to be in that creative environment right now. In the future when I have more experience and skills, I want to start my own business, because that has been my goal from the very beginning when I first fell in love with fashion and knew this is the industry I want to enter.