Textile Design @ Jefferson: Student Spotlight: Sam Fletcher, NYFW!

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