STAND UP, ROYAL COLLEGE OF ART CLASS OF 2023

UROOS JAMAL

Born and brought up in New Delhi, India, Uroos has always been captivated by traditional crafts and their potential to uplift communities. Her work revolves around challenging traditional practices and finding innovative solutions that address both environmental and social issues. Her interest in sustainable lifestyles guided her to delve into various aspects of sustainable fashion, exploring alternative materials, production techniques, and design approaches. As Uroos continues to expand her work, her goal is to create sustainable models that can be replicated in other communities, enabling more people to break free from socioeconomic constraints and lead fulfilling lives.

Uroos' current project, "15% Less," embodies her commitment to sustainable fashion and waste reduction. The project is known as "15% less" after the extra 15-20% fabric that is wasted while creating garments using the conventional ways of pattern cutting. The project focuses on altering techniques of production to reduce their environmental impact so that they are in harmony with earth’s natural processes at same time making them easily adoptable by communities at the grassroots level. Working with the local communities has been a significant aspect of her work and through it, she wants to help people take pride in their work.

Image Courtesy of Uroos Jamal | MA Fashion RCA

MORAG SEATON

Morag Seaton is a Scottish fashion designer and maker working in London. She graduated from the Glasgow School of Art where she received awards for sustainability, the dissertation prize and the John Byrne Award for ‘Garment Stories’. Morag has since worked across fashion production, arts and culture, and garment technology, most recently for the UKRI Textiles Circularity Centre at the Royal College of Art. She co-runs Worn, an organisation that engages people with the emotional and environmental significance of their clothes.

Morag’s work often begins with a question to the public, from ‘How do clothes give the body power?’ to ‘If you could find anything in your pocket, what would you want to find?’ Each response is carefully collected, considered, dissected and played with through design, fashion, storytelling and more. Morag’s practice aims to celebrate individual and collective experiences of dress, to push the boundaries of fashion speculation, and share insights that can help change the way we think about clothes.

Image Courtesy of Morag Seaton | MA Fashion RCA

JENNY HUANG

Jenny Huang, an interdisciplinary designer with a keen interest in innovative pattern cutting techniques, has developed a unique method known as Auxetic Patterning. This groundbreaking approach utilizes auxetic geometries to manipulate materials, resulting in transformative and unconventional fashion creations. Jenny's distinct perspective on geometries and structures shapes her practice, allowing her to explore the boundless potential of transformative surfaces. Continuously pushing boundaries, she tirelessly experiments with various techniques to discover new avenues of creativity.

The project 'Auxetic Patterning' aims to revolutionize pattern cutting by enabling the creation of garments using entirely flat sheets. By leveraging auxetic geometries, materials can be manipulated to achieve this extraordinary feat. Furthermore, the proposed method delves into the exploration of transforming 2D surfaces into intricate 3D structures by incorporating desired constructions within the fabric. The true beauty of this method lies in its transformative capabilities, acting as a generator of endless possibilities rather than simply providing a predefined design outcome.

Image Courtesy of Jenny Huang | MA Fashion RCA

ANGELICA ELLIS

Angelica Ellis is a multidisciplinary artist specializing in fashion design and hand embroidery. One of Ellis' notable practices involves collecting and transforming materials into exquisite embellishments for embroidery. During her MA studies, she embarked on a journey to develop sustainable embroidery techniques by creating bio sequins and exploring alternative biomaterials for textiles. Ellis embraces resourcefulness by utilizing readily available items in her creations. With a focus on slow fashion, she values small-scale, handmade production, and aims to contribute to the growing movement of designers who use creativity as a means to counterbalance the excesses of today's fashion industry. The conceptual foundation of Ellis' work is rooted in narrative-driven concepts, often drawing inspiration from identity and communities.

One of Ellis' projects, "Framing Fragility," involves collaborating with women who have disabilities. In this collaborative design process, a wearable embroidery frame is created and utilized to document the participants' experiences of pain sensations within their bodies. Angelica engages the participants by asking, "How does it feel to be in your body?" Using their responses as inspiration, Angelica creates beautiful embroidery pieces that encapsulate the "textural stories" of each person's unique journey. The ultimate goal of this project is to provide individuals with disabilities an enjoyable experience of connecting with their bodies, promoting empowerment and self-expression through artful interaction.

Image Courtesy of Angelica Ellis | MA Fashion RCA

SHANICE PALMER

Shanice, an artist hailing from South London, finds immense fascination in exploring the dynamic interplay between the realities of migrant city life and the profound insights embedded within cultural heritage. Her current body of work, titled "A New Narrative," serves as a testament to the transformative power of storytelling and its potential to redefine the black experience. With a specific focus on themes of luxury, wealth, and identity, Shanice endeavors to unveil hidden narratives, amplify unheard voices, and create a space for honest expressions. By doing so, she aims to tap into a collective consciousness that fosters community, healing, and empowerment.

The inspiration for "A New Narrative" stems from several community workshops, where the collective imagination of participants intertwines to shape a future world through the lens of identity and adornment. The installation serves as a captivating showcase, exemplifying how this collective imagination can influence and shape a new narrative for the future. Through her artistic exploration, Shanice seeks to challenge conventional narratives, elevate marginalized voices, and ignite conversations that lead to a more inclusive and empowering society.

Image Courtesy of Shanice Palmer | MA Fashion RCA

This year, the incredible work of RCA MA Fashion graduates is being shared in two events, with one having already taken place at the Royal College of Art’s Battersea Campus earlier this month. Discover the next showcase of work from 13 - 16 July 2023 at the Truman Brewery, East London. 

To view more alumni collections from Royal College of Art, visit the NJAL Showroom here.

READ MORE: Industry Experts on Buying Appointments