Graduate Student Sam Fletcher took a few moments to discuss her back ground and her experience in collaborating with Dana Jackson to produce a textile for Dana's NYFW debut.
photo credit: Sam Fletcher
Where did you do your
undergrad? What did you study?
I attended the Art
Institute of Philadelphia where I studied Interior Design.
Did you work in your
field between undergrad and grad school?
Sure did! I worked for
about 3.5 years as an interior designer before deciding to go back to
school. During those 3.5 years I worked at two different firms in the
Philadelphia area, mostly on large corporate office design jobs.
Why did textiles appeal to
you?
While working as an
interior designer I was fortunate enough to gain exposure to many
aspects of the textile industry. We would have textile designers come in
and give presentations on new collections they had designed. After
leaving every one of those presentations I would think to myself,
"Now that's what I want to be doing!". I also was able to visit a few
carpet mills in Georgia where I was able to see the
entire process; fiber extrusion, weaving, applying the backing and
then cutting the tiles down to their specified size. Being exposed to
the process of design and then seeing that design manufactured is what
truly drew me to textiles.
What about
Philadelphia University drew you in?
Once I realized I wanted to attend graduate school for textiles,
Philadelphia University was a no brainer. The location was perfect, since I
live locally, and the reputation of the textile program speaks for itself!
What aspect of PhilaU's
curriculum most interested you and why?
PhilaU's textile curriculum is very well balanced between
creative and technical, fully preparing its graduates to enter the industry
upon graduating. What is most important to me as a graduate student is being
able to make connections with the other students and faculty at PhilaU. The faculty
and students at PhilaU are a wealth of knowledge, and I hope to be able to
maintain these relationships for years to come.
How do you hope studying
at Philadelphia University will help you to further your goals as a
designer?
The decision to attend graduate school for textiles was a
career change for me. Prior to starting school at PhilaU I had never woven
a thing! However after being in the textile program for 2 years now, I
feel as though I have found the right career that fully taps into my creative
potential.
What discipline do you
hope to pursue once you leave Philau?
That is a really good question! At the moment my long term goal
after school is to be able to have my own design practice. I am interested in
working in the fashion and interior industries, as well as
collaborating with Industrial designers. While getting to work as an
interior designer I learned that I enjoy working with teams of people, where
everyone can bring their expertise to the table in order to produce an
exceptional product for the client.
Now for Fashion Show
things…
How did you begin your
collaboration with Dana Jackson?
Dana and I met last Spring on the PhilaU short course trip to
West Africa. When the Fall semester began she asked me to collaborate with her
on a collection that she was designing that was inspired by Gorree Island. She
wanted me to work with her because she knew that I fully understood the mood
and aesthetic she was trying to convey with her collection.
How did you enjoy the
experience of working with the user who would take your goods to a final
product?
This was the first time I had ever worked with someone who would
be taking a textile I designed to make it into a garment. It was a wonderful
experience! Dana was very professional and articulate in describing what
she wanted, and also very open minded to my ideas of how to interpret, in
cloth, what it is she wanted.
What challenges did you
experience in the process?
I suppose the biggest challenge was being able to produce a
fabric off of the jacquard loom that Dana would want to use. This was my first
time working on the jacquard, and I was very nervous about the outcome.
What was the best part of
your experience at NYFW?
I sat front row at a New York Fashion week, watching a textile I
had designed walk the runway. It doesn't get any better than that!
How did seeing your work
on a professional model change your interpretation of the final product?
As a textile design student I am constantly creating fabric. And
while working through patterns, and doing trials on the jacquard loom, I
sometimes feel like I am numb to the final product. By the time it is done, I
am more concerned with moving onto my next piece. Getting to see the fabric
being used in a garment gives it new life, and allows me to go back and
appreciate what I have created.
What advice would you
give students participating in interdisciplinary collaborations in the future?
Communication is key! Part of being a successful designer is the
ability to get into someone else's head and have a full understanding of what
it is that they want.
Sketchbook work leading to the final jacquard fabric
photo credit: Sam Fletcher
photo credit: Sam Fletcher
Final Fabric
photo credit: Sam Fletcher
photo credit: Andrea Mata
photo credits: Andrea Mata
