Interview: Megan Harley-Peters, fashion design student

In our last issue, we reviewed the Stitches in Time exhibition at the National Museum, Collins Barracks, the work of twelve Fashion Design students from the Limerick School of Art & Design. They drew inspiration from the museum’s Soldiers and Chiefs exhibition, which traces Ireland’s military history from 1550, for their own military-themed designs. One of the students, Megan Harley-Peters, gives us an insight into the process behind the exhibition.

Firstly, how did this exhibition come about: whose idea was it, what was the particular aim behind it, and how were the students selected?
This exhibition, Stitches in Time, is the result of a design project given to the class in second year, which involved a collaboration with the Soldiers and Chiefs exhibition in the Collins Barracks. We were asked to use our extensive research, which included photographs, drawings and notes that were collected from our visit, to design and create a garment based on one of the four themes in the Soldiers and Chiefs exhibition.

What was it like having twelve students all working on a similar project? Was it helpful to have so many different perspectives? Also, was there any collaboration between the students working on the same theme?
All 25 second year students were split into four themes: The Wild Geese, World War I, World War II and The Irish Defence Force. This helped the students to have a particular focus when doing the research for this project. With the Wild Geese theme that I was in, we collaborated in our research and discussed our theme between ourselves. Once the design process began, it was very interesting to see how the designs developed because we all had such different perspectives on the theme. Within each of the four themes, the students focused even further on sub-sections, such as the artillery or medals as part of their research for the design process.

How long did you spend on this project in total, from initial designs to completion?
Overall, one month.

What exactly drew you to the inspirations behind your final design? Could you give us any insight into the thought process behind the particular details of it?
I was inspired by the 18th century helmets worn by Irish soldiers in foreign armies. It was the structure and shape of the helmets that I was most drawn to. I began by enlarging and zooming in on the helmets and taking elements that I liked, like their line, shape and detail, and then further developed this by repeating and overlapping.

How different was this project compared to other work you have done?
This project was different because it involved a partnership with the Collins Barracks and therefore when we visited the Museum to see the Soldiers and Chiefs exhibition, we got the opportunity to gather an extensive amount of primary research. This also included the chance to explore the uniforms and related artefacts from the Museum’s Handling Collection.

Is there anything in particular you feel that you’ve learned from this experience?
I have most certainly learned the importance of valuable primary research in my work as a student designer and a further understanding of historical uniform. Additionally, my confidence to draft unusual pattern pieces with a high standard finish has been another learning curve for me.

Did you find this project challenging, did you have to approach it differently than your other work in the past?
I did find it challenging, of course, that’s the fun in it. Mostly in the pattern drafting. I wanted the pointed shoulders to be structured but also in a lightweight satin fabric, which proved to be difficult but nevertheless it was resolved. Also drafting the pattern pieces for the neckline took some time to work out how it will fall around the neck and continue into the wrap over pieces draping along front and back of the body, while trying to keep it as seamless as possible at the same time. These decisions came from my research and design work, the tricky part was to stay committed to my design and really investigate my options and develop my problem solving skills.

What are your plans for the future?
In the coming year I hope to complete my two piece statement, which is essentially two looks that I will design and make as part of one of my third year projects. I am also currently planning my work placement for April 2015. I have quite an exciting year ahead of me.

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