Students join forces with The Lexicon for new exhibition
BRACKNELL and Wokingham College and The Lexicon are working together on a project entitled Mannequins Upcycled.
It began when The Lexicon, as part of its focus on sustainability, gifted 12 mannequins to the college on Church Road.
Following an ideas session, students studying the Creative Practice: Art, Design and Communication Level 3 Extended Diploma at the college came up with a design for two of the mannequins, based on a month of the year.
They aimed to incorporate upcycled donated materials, clothing and fabric into their finished designs.
This valuable work experience opportunity teaches the students what it is like to work with a client, and to a brief.
As part of the process, each group presented designs to Sue Boor, head of marketing at The Lexicon.
Once complete, the mannequins will feature in an exhibition in The Lexicon, next month.
As part of the exhibition, attendees will be able to vote for their favourite.
Keira Wheeler, Jasmine Elgohary, Katie Rivington and Paige Simpson are all studying a Creative Practice: Art Design and Communication Level 3 Extended Diploma at Bracknell and Wokingham College, and they’ve been working on designs for the March and April mannequins.
The mannequin for March will wear a green dress trimmed with origami flowers around the hem of the skirt and on the shoulders.
The students will also decorate the mannequin’s legs with leaves.
The mannequin for April is an androgynous design, where the mannequin wears a pair of jeans, which the students plan to appliqué with flower and leaf designs and embellish with beads.
Keira said: “The designs for the mannequins for March and April are both flowery, as they both represent Spring.
“It’s much easier to work with other people on the designs as it makes it more fun, reduces stress, solves problems and merges ideas.
“We will be able to include this in our portfolios to use in job or apprenticeship applications and interviews.”
Sue Dew-Gosling, creative arts lecturer at Activate Learning, said: “Students working on live projects for the community with real clients is an invaluable example of work experience and any future career or further study opportunities. It also boosts their confidence and helps them to develop professional skills, which will benefit them in the future.”
Sue Boor, head of marketing at
The Lexicon, said: “I have been so impressed with the creativity that the students have displayed in creating the designs for the mannequins.
“I am looking forward to sharing the designs with visitors to The Lexicon.”