BA (Hons) Fashion Design Technology: Surface Textiles
Zoe is a London based textile designer, specialising in embroidered textiles for both Menswear and Womenswear. She flourishes in a creative environment and is constantly engaging in opportunities to expand and enhance an innate artistic flair.
A strong attraction to decoration and an acute awareness of colour and aesthetics, stem from Zoe's intrinsic desire to enhance and develop a fun, uplifting and energetic embroidery style, drawing on aspects of global cultures both old and new. In particular, Zoe is extremely passionate about colour, constantly seeking inspiration to manipulate and embellish a wide range of vibrant and exuberant textile materials.
Zoe's FMP collection, is inspired by 60s nostalgia and children's artwork, targeting the older customer. It aims to regenerate fabric surfaces that are beautiful and alluring, through her love of colour and abstract illustration style.
As an individual, Zoe loves working with other designers, in order that her textiles can meet a wider audience: womenswear student Man Yim and Zoe, have recently collaborated for their FMP photoshoot.
In addition, within her graduate collection Zoe has collaborated with Menswear student Brogan Toyn for âJamaican me Crazyâ. The collection, an eccentric yet sensational , SS2013 sportswear range, has been selected for the LCF Press Show.
The textiles for âJamaican me Crazyâ further reflect Zoeâs ability to cater for a wide customer base and showcase her unconventional style towards textile design. Reversing the constraints on gender, âJamaican me Crazyâ is a rebellion against frequently used homophobic dancehall lyrics, inspired by the controversial musical style and promiscuity of Jamaica's Dancehall Queens.
The textiles are tactile and enticing, with soft rainbow furs creeping along the edges of garments. In turn, tight crotches are emphasized by brilliantly printed and metallic lurex fabrics, with surges of complex mark making forming these prints. Bedazzling, sequined crop tops emphasize an outlandish street style, contradicting urban aesthetics. In addition, references to dancehall contemporaries in the hip hop genre, are portrayed through basketball shorts engulfed in colour and the sparkle of iridescent fabrics.
Zoeâs sensitivity towards colour is portrayed here, through applying heat pressed patterns and disperse dyes to fabrics. This enables the juxtapositions of colour to be an important focus within the collection. Red or black are often familiarised with promiscuity, however, avoiding seedy connotations âJamaican me Crazyâ adopts modest, pastel hues. These effectively distract from potentially erotic undertones, and encourage the energy of the dancehall for both onlooker and wearer.
Man Yim, womenswear collaboration, contact:http://showtime.arts.ac.uk/manhinyim
Brogan Toyn,menswear collaboration, contact:http://showtime.arts.ac.uk/BroganToyn
Image 3: Photography: Anthony John Sayer, Creative Director: Rob Phillips, Beauty: Pace Chen, Model: Flash, Textiles Print: Zoe Sterling, Menswear design: Brogan Toyn
Image 5.12.13,14,15: Photography:GMGP photography, Tim Hill and James Aubrey Finnigan.
Image 6,7,8,9,10,24,26,27,34,35,36,37,39,40: Joshua Sallon photography.
AWARDS AND ACHIEVEMENTS:
PRESS:
MTV
http://www.districtmtv.co.uk/article/topic/style/1npr61/ones-to-watch-brogan-toyn/ys7x6a
PIGEONS AND PEACOCKS http://www.pigeonsandpeacocks.com/editorial/the-glorious-graduates/ 2/7/12
VOGUE
http://www.vogue.co.uk/fashion/spring-summer-2014/ready-to-wear/london-college-of-fashion-ba 2/7/12
MY DAILY
http://www.mydaily.co.uk/2013/07/02/london-college-of-fashion-ba-show-2013_n_3532173.html 2/7/12
http://noctismag.com/ 2/7/12
http://www.thestylelane.com/#/lcf13-runway-show/4577776766 2/7/12
http://adorngirl.tumblr.com/post/54533706290/backstage-lcf-2013-graduate-show# 2/7/12
Rucksack featured in: https://www.facebook.com/#!/brooomroom?fref=ts
Sequin textile work featured in:http://wgsn.tumblr.com/post/50644377782/cosmic-we-love-lcflondon-student-brogan-toyns
:May 2013
Awarded Commendation for the Bradford Textile Society Fashion & Textile Course award:April 2013
.
Sequin textile work featured in:
http://i-donline.com/2013/04/diversity-now-the-finalist-cut/
: March 2013
Awarded The Fashion and Textiles student of the year award two years running, at The King David High School: June 2005 and June 2006
SPECIALIST SKILLS:
Hand embroidery: advanced level
Embroidery Machines:
Domestic, Irish; Cornelli, Tenaka Press and CAD embroidery.
Laser cutter
Knit:
Handknitting:
intermediate level
Industrial knitting machine: intermediate level.
Print:
Screen Printing
Heat Press
Digital printing
Sublimation printing
Garment design:
Pattern cutting:
beginnersâ level
Fabric sourcing
Fashion Illustration
Computer Skills
Competent user of the following: Microsoft Word; Photoshop; Illustrator; Wilcom software for CAD embroidery; Colour Matters software and ApS Ethos software.
PREVIOUS EMPLOYMENT:
CHALAYAN July 2012-Aug 2012
Production assistant
SWAROVSKI creative fashion event
February 2012
⢠Helping to promote Simon Glazinâs fashion blog.
⢠Customising and embroidering clothing for celebrity guests.
SOPHIA COUTURE
Dec 2011- Jan 2012
Ethical and sustainable bridal wear, hats and accessories.
AVON June - Sep 2010
Representative of body care products
COMMUNITY VOLUNTEER WORK, June - Sep 2008
Within Cheshire
Email z.sterling1@arts.ac.uk