Textiles and Surface Design Alumni student, Adele Catchpole has been selected as one of 100 new design businesses to showcase her work at New Designers, One Year In. The design exhibition is a showcase of the most promising and intriguing designers, studios and entrepreneurs who have recently launched their own businesses. Visitors can browse and buy original pieces directly from their makers, find out more about their ambitions and commission bespoke works while supporting small design companies. Adele will be showing during Week One of the event, from 27–30 June at the Business Design Centre, Islington in London. The event is showing Adele’s progression from showing her collections at New Designers as a new graduate and gives Adele the excellent opportunity to present to design industry professionals, press and trade buyers.

This is a fantastic movement in Adele’s creative career and she has been making waves in the industry with her quirky, youthful vibrant designs since she was a student.

How do you feel you have progressed as a creative since graduation?

Since graduating in 2017 I have really put all the skills and knowledge I have gained during my degree into practice. I’ve worked on textile commissions for fashion students and brands, showcased my graduate collection at The Leeds RAG Fashion Show and The Great British Sewing Bee live event, continued to illustrate personal commissions as a side-line and had the opportunity to print a series of fabrics for designer Matty Bovan. I am now currently working on my latest exhibition for New Designers in June. My style has evolved from my projects at University but similar colours and textures have remained throughout, creating an overall look which all works cohesively together. My making skills have definitely progressed, with the help of our Textiles department technicians who have so kindly taught me new skills and allowed me access to their facilities since I’ve graduated.

How does it feel to be selected as one of 100 to go to New Designers, One Year In?

To be selected as one of the top 100 emerging designers to exhibit at One Year In is such a fantastic opportunity, its given me the chance to seriously focus on my own brand and where I want to take it next. Its been a lot of work and preparation but I am feeling confident that its going to be a positive experience. I am still in the early stages of setting up my own business so One Year In provides a stepping stone for my brand exposure, reaching my target market, making sales and gaining more publicity. Within the programme I have networked with professionals in the design industry and learnt some invaluable tips for really making the most of the show and more importantly, steps for after the show.

What are your plans for the next year? What are you looking to achieve?

I am aware that breaking into the fashion industry can be notoriously challenging so I’m prepared to take small steps to achieve bigger things in the future. This time next year I would like to have my business up and trading on a wider scale and have enough orders and interest to run it full-time in my home studio. I am also interested in working alongside other small brands and with fellow design students to support and explore new ideas rather than be in competition with one another. I have plans in place for collaborative photoshoots with other designers and magazines and will be working to continue publishing my work across a range of platforms to build my brand identity and reputation.

If you could launch a range for a brand of choice, who would you pick?

I would love to be a part of Confetti Crowd as a designer, their girl gang support network is exactly my market. With my designs and garments, I am aiming for a middle ground between full on festival queen and shrinking violet. I feel that a lot of girls, myself included, have an inner desire to really express their style and rainbow it up to the max but always stick with safer options – I want to provide those girls with clothing that is bright and fun but more accessible to wear everyday, especially during summer and festival seasons.

How does it feel to present as a fully-fledged designer rather than a student?

I am certainly feeling nervous but also confident that my brand identity is starting to stand out and become recognised, especially through social media exposure. Its only been a year since I showed at New Designers as a student, I have come such a long way since then yet this feels like the real beginning of my career. I’m headed in the right direction as a designer and I’m open to new opportunities that may come in the near future. I want to continue creating pieces that make people smile. Those who have worn my clothes or earrings, can’t help but do a little dance in them and that’s the reaction I want to always aim towards.

Check out some of the shots from her collection look book below!