New digital technologies have transformed the landscape of fashion design, particularly when it comes to printed textile design. Recently, fashion has seen designers such as Mary Katrantzou making colourful and eclectic prints their signature style. Printed textiles are flavour of the year in the fashion world – to the extent that at the recent Graduate Fashion Week, Julien Macdonald voiced his opinion that the print market is currently ‘saturated’. But many young designers are experimenting with digital, trying out new software and pushing the boundaries of what can be achieved when you move away from traditional methods. Kate Lynch has just graduated with a wholly digital collection. Kate will be selling her work at New Designers and Indigo.
Name: Kate Lynch
Age: 22
Hometown: Harrogate, North Yorkshire
Hi Kate! So what and where did you study?
Textiles and Surface Design at Buckinghamshire New University. I specialised in Printed Textiles.
What was your most memorable experience during your course?
The sense of pride at the End of Year Graduate Show. It was so lovely to see everyone’s hard work pay off.
Which piece out of all your work best represents you as a designer?
My current graduate collection EPOCH. I am fascinated by all the new technologies available to the design industry and how we use them. My collection was wholly digital and it’s key feature was the use of an animation program named 3D Studio Max to create three-dimensional shapes.
What inspires your work?
Anything and everything! I see things on the street and can be inspired to create beautiful prints.
Who is your biggest design influence?
Hussein Chalayan, for his work with new technologies, and Basso and Brooke and Mary Katrantzou for their work with entirely digital print.
How would you describe your design style?
Very digital!
Have you worked with any clients or on any previous projects?
I had the privilege of being put forward to go on a two week work placement at Baxter Fawcett Design Studio in London. I also had two live briefs during my time at university, one with Marson Fabrics and the second with Stylesite.
What are you up to now?
Currently trying to find a job! It’s my dream to move to London and love my job, so that’s what I’m currently aiming for!
What are your hopes for your future career?
To be happy, and to be awesome at my job.
You can see more of Kate’s work on her website and her blog.
The Fundamentals of Printed Textile Design by Alex Russell is available to purchase from the AVA website and from Amazon. It includes contributions from:
- Basso and Brooke
- Hella Jongerious for Unicef
- Jonathan Saunders
- Paul Smith
- Deanne Cheuk
- PotiPoti
- Tord Boontje
