Jane Bowler

Jane's moodboard

What is your name? Jane Bowler


What is the name of your label? Jane Bowler Design studio

Where did you study and when did you graduate? Mixed Media Textiles MA at the Royal College of Art, London. I graduated in June 2010

What inspires you as a textile designer? I am inspired by everyday materials and objects ranging from PVC shower curtains to bath mats. I love experimenting with unexpected materials and processes. The garment that I am entering into FASHIONCLASH, is an extension of my final collection at the RCA. The collection was a witty and sophisticated approach to rainwear , inspired by traditional Japanese straw raincoats alongside a mix of samurai armor and the traditional British mackintosh.



Close-up on the detail



Who is your favorite designer/artist? Why? I love Issey Miyake’s early work, he pushed the boundaries of fashion and textiles, engineering the textiles to create his garments. His new work titled ‘Collection 1325’ which was on show at the barbican just recently was really inspiring alongside works by Junya Watanabe. I think I am attracted to Japanese fashion designers!

What can you bring to FASHIONCLASH Maastricht 2011? A hint of plastic fantastic and a new appreciation for textiles!



Another close-up



How did your experience with design started? When did you decided to be a designer? Why textiles? I had always loved to collect bits and bobs from carboot sales and second hand shops.. I loved searching for unexpected gems and the prospect of transforming unusual materials and objects into something new! When I was little, I always said that when I grew up, I wanted to be an artist and own a sweet shop… I wanted to work as an artist and sell sweets at the same time! Strangely, some people have commented that my recent collection resembles sweets! Matylda from ‘Mat and Me’ Blog called my raincoats… Spaghetti wine gum dresses! Which I love!

I didn’t always want to be a textile or fashion designer… it just kind of happened through my love of materials!

What are your goals concerning your career? What are your ambitions? I am currently working on my new collection which I will be launching this September. Along side my exciting show piece style garments, I am also working on a wearable range which I am looking to launch in stores in the near future. I love what I do, and just hope that other people will love it too!

Edited by Natalia Serwanska

HEYNIEK by Niek Pulles

Niek at work

Picture from Matandme blog.

What is your name? Niek Pulles

What is the name of your label? HEYNIEK

Where did you study and when did you graduate? I graduated in December 2009 at Man & Identity of the Design Academy Eindhoven

What inspires you as a designer/artist? I think almost everything in life :P If ''it" or "something'' gives you the energy or the feeling to create a piece, that inspires me.

Who is your favorite (fashion) designer/artist? Why? Alexander McQueen and especially what he did around his shows. Creating new worlds, he really was a precursor. It's a shame that he died...

What can you bring to FASHIONCLASH Maastricht 2011? I will join the CLASH project and the plan is to show an energetic and experimental piece based on the material of one of my graduation project, which is black foam.



What do you expect from the FASHIONCLASH Maastricht 2011? I think it will be an even hotter show the last year :)



Niek's atelier
Picture from Matandme blog.



How did your experience with fashion started? When did you decide to be a (fashion) designer/artist? I was really triggered by the fastness of fashion during the Academy. In my third year I decided to jump into this fashion adventure at Man & Identity, which I still don't regret!

What are your goals concerning your career? What are your ambitions? Where do you see yourself in the future? My plan is to focus on fashion film. Using film to make trend forecasts and visualize (fashion) material experiments. And hope to work with nice people:), but that is already happening...

Edited by Natalia Serwanska