Judy R Clark
Art was always my favourite subject and I spent most of my days in the art room at Lochaber High School creating new things. I had a choice between Edinburgh College of Art or Heriot Watt in Galashiels but chose the latter as I really liked the High Mill building: it was full of knitting and weaving machines, and they had the biggest print table in Scotland at the time. They also offered me a scholarship on the basis of seeing my portfolio.
I was inspired by McQueen, Westwood and Galliano – all the big names who were producing show-stopping designs. The drama of the beautiful silhouettes was amazing, and I was fascinated by the tailoring of those almost costume-like pieces. I still love the drama of a couture show.
After interning in London with Alexander McQueen, I met some great people through Textile Scotland and Scotland Re:Designed. I was
‘I was excited to see such a rich variety of textiles only a few miles from my studio’
excited to see such a rich variety of textiles only a few miles from my studio. The fabrics had the luxury quality I was looking for and mills invited me to work with them designing my own fabrics. The relationships I’ve built with them are the ones I treasure.
I loved seeing the real people behind the cloth, seeing the technicians working on the huge looms. It made me fall in love with the textiles even more.
From a designer’s point of view fabrics from Scotland are sought-after because the fabrics that are produced are of the finest quality – and once you use the best there is no going back. I love to pull many different components together and experiment with drape, colour and texture. My silhouettes are bold yet feminine, the heritage fabrics can give them more depth and drama. I don’t overthink it.