Portfolio Presentation & CVs - Laura McPherson

Laura suggested having a photographic portfolio as most work is seen first online, with textile samples to take to interview.

"What can you do with a bit of black flannel?"

I am very happy with this latest sample, it's the first one I've made that immediately says fashion rather than interiors! I love the jewel like quality of the revealed stitches, 

which also fits with my original desire to reveal something of the unseen realm.

What I'm about at last seems to be coming out into the open, I'm a fabric maker.

• Focus more on the ground colour, use neutrals and muddy colours to contrast with brights.

What is Cloth to Me? Lesley Millar

A successful curator who is still finding doors closed to contemporary textiles exhibitions in London. Her recent Lost in Lace explored notions of space between surfaces and the partially revealed intimate space between body and cloth that lace explores. For me this describes something of the intimate nature of relationship between man & God who is present but for the most part unseen.

Trimmings

I'm still struggling with my colour palette because I'm using the fabrics I dyed at first.

• Re-dye fabrics to knock back the colours for neutral tones. 

Portfolio Tutorial - Laura McPherson

• Visualisations of samples on garments.
• Inspiration / mood boards.
• Consider making commercial samples of the same designs using less thread.
• Include work to demonstrate other skills that can be used as required.

Trimmings from satin lines

twin needle line in between

This trim has some potential, though the colours and tassel effect 

give more of an interior than a fashion feel at this stage.

Edges, shadows and colour at Waterside Open

Shells of Distinction

Sarah Malone Butterflies

Both of these pieces have a lace like quality with broken edges and layers. The 3D effect and the way the colour mixes inside the shells with the white popping through the blues and the red butterfly amongst the chromatic tones has similarities to my work.