Diary of a Textiles Teacher

Hello and welcome to my first blog post. Each year I set my learners the challenge of setting up a blog and think to myself I should really lead by example, so here goes. Better late than never as they say!

I’m Sam and I have been teaching fashion, textiles and art for over twenty five years. In that time I have seen many changes in the education system but the one thing that keeps me going back for more is the learners. Seeing their rabbit in headlight faces on their first day in the studio compared to the creative, confident young people who leave me two years later is what keeps me returning to the classroom each September. They provide me with lots of laughter, food! And challenges, watching them develop is such a privilege and seeing them off onto their next steps makes me very proud. Each July they leave me ready for university and I love following their journey into working in the industry.

At college I have a lovely studio space to work in, like any creative space it’s never big enough and we have to use it fora variety of purposes but it has served me well for the last fourteen years.

My view of the studio.

The learners view of the studio.

I am the Course Tutor for Fashion and Textiles which means I look after all the staff and learners on a Level 3 Fashion and Textiles course and manage the programme. When I started at the college they didn’t have fashion and textiles as a subject in the creative studies department so I was able to have free reign and devise a course I wish I could have done at sixteen. I don’t teach on my own, I am very lucky to work with a fabulous team of lecturers who are all specialists in their particular areas. Learners are able to explore pattern cutting and garment construction, textiles and art, fashion photography and computer aided design. This ensures that they gain a good grounding in all areas required if they decide they want to pursue a creative career within fashion, textiles, costume or interior design. I work with learners in their second year to produce portfolios for life after college and I’m proud to say that the majority of them choose to continue studying at a Higher Education level on a variety of degree programmes. This has often led to them working in their chosen industries which is so rewarding to see.

During my teaching career I have set up many initiatives which have also provided me with fantastic opportunities. One of the most rewarding started ten years ago when I began looking for work experience opportunities for my learners to access. I don’t live in a fashionable town! There are limited creative opportunities for young people so I wanted to show my learners that if they applied themselves opportunities could come their way. After contacting lots of people and companies I came across Geoff Cox who runs Fashion London and Top Model, he was willing to give me the chance to bring learners to London to help dress models backstage at London Fashion Week. The rest as they say is history for those of you who know me, you’ll know that I am now the Backstage Director for Geoff’s shows. Working in this role means I am able to take learners each year to work at London Fashion Week as the backstage dressing team. I’ve met fabulous designers who have become friends, I have improved my CV and industry knowledge and most importantly of all I’ve made a great friend in Geoff and become part of the Top Model family. Five years ago I was able to introduce alumni learners to Geoff and since then I have seen at least one of them show their latest collection with Geoff at Fashion Week every year. It’s so inspirational for both me and my current learners , the icing on the cake for a fashion and textiles teacher.

Previous learners and myself with Geoff Cox, Executive Producer of Top Model and runway coach Ebony Vandecasteele.

Omar Mansoor and myself on a recent visit to the Victoria and Albert Museum to view the Chanel exhibition.

My latest initiative is a college dye garden, I’m passionate about sustainability in the fashion industry but that’s for a whole new blog post……..watch this space.