Jodie modelling her creation
A Level Textiles student Jodie Alford beat university graduates and at least one fashion professional to win an award at London’s Stitch Festival last weekend.
The seventeen-year-old from Corfe Mullen was shortlisted in the Wearable Sustainable Art category of the festival’s dressmaking competition at Islington’s Business Design Centre.
Her entry was a weaved crop-jumper made from net and adorned with sponge flowers.
The weave was performed using elastic bands and paper clips, and the sequins around the cuffs were made by lining up plastic straws, melting them flat with an iron and then punching circles out.
Judges unanimously chose Jodie’s design over submissions from six other finalists after being inundated with entries for the category.
As well as the 2020 Wearable Sustainable Art title, Jodie won a £50 voucher to spend on fabric at the festival.
She wasted no time in purchasing some black weave, patterned silk and pink lace for future creations.
After completing her studies at Brock, where she also studies Graphics and Maths, Jodie aims to complete a degree in Textiles or Fashion and Textiles.
She said her ultimate goal is to start her own fashion label, and she identified up-and-coming designer Alexander Quoï as a big inspiration because of his back-to-basics making methods.
Jodie said: “I really wasn’t expecting to win, so it felt amazing, and it has given me more confidence to pursue my dreams.”
