‘I Design For A Proud Woman With A Strong Character’ – An interview With Grace Weller

Bath Spa fashion graduate Grace Weller was the young designer everyone was talking about at this year’s Graduate Fashion Week, picking up not only one but two awards – ‘Best Womenswear’ and the ‘George Gold Award’. It was her embroidered lace and striking colour combinations of navy, red and orange that caught the judges’ eyes and landed her a limited edition collaboration with George, the official sponsors of Graduate Fashion Week 2014.

Grace, what was the inspiration behind your graduate collection?
I was inspired by the ideas and beliefs behind the work of romantic artists during the 18th century. I applied the themes that appeared throughout their work such as the power of nature, raw human emotion, the exotic and the sublime to the design process of my collection.

What made you choose to study at Bath Spa University?
I chose Bath Spa University as I felt the set up of the course was very suited to me, and when I visited the studio on the open days it had an exciting and energetic atmosphere.

How did they prepare you for a career in fashion?
They have created a fast paced atmosphere with intense deadlines that set us up for working in the industry. We also work in a professional studio atmosphere and are pushed to work very independently.

If you weren’t a fashion designer, what would you be instead?
I would want to be an artist; I love painting and drawing in particular.

Describe the type of woman you design for.
I design for a proud woman with a strong character; a demure yet eccentric woman who doesn’t have any inhibitions, and who appreciates the beauty of nature and the world around her.

How would you describe your design aesthetic?
I love feminine, beautiful clothing with intricate details and bold colours.

Which designers do you look up to?
My favourite designers are Valentino, Comme des Garçons and Alexander McQueen.

Did you complete any internships before graduating?
No.

What comes next for you and your career?
I will be working with George at Asda, who sponsor Graduate Fashion Week, to create a diffusion line from my collection for two months. After that I might do an MA and maybe work part-time for a designer, but nothing’s set in stone yet.

Has anything exciting or unexpected come out of showing at GFW?
Winning!!! Such a shock!!!!!