Loreto Textile students were thrilled to have the opportunity to meet and work with top fashion designers David Longshaw and Kirsty Ward when they recently visited college. Both guests trained at Central St Martins and the Royal College of Art before working for various fashion houses prior to creating their own fashion label, Longshaw-Ward. David Longshaw is a regular contributor to Vogue Italia, with his famous ‘Maude’ illustrations. Kirsty Ward has her own fashion label and is famous for her unusual fusion between fashion and jewellery design. Longshaw-Ward designs have featured in popular publications including Vogue, Elle, Love Magazine and Grazia.

In addition to a presentation in which they heard how the Longshaw-Ward label was set up and the educational paths that led the designers to that position, our students had the fantastic opportunity to ask questions about the elusive world of fashion and then to take part in a practical workshop where David and Kirsty shared some of their couture techniques. Students collectively made their own ‘Longshaw-Ward’ garment made from bias-binding and net. It can only be of tremendous benefit to our students to have the chance to work with such highly esteemed industry practitioners.