Untitled design (10)

FashionABLE

We opened a new exhibition on 1 April 2019 at the Borders Textile Towerhouse, showcasing the creations of students on the FashionABLE course, which began at Burnfoot Community Hub, Hawick, in May 2018.

 

Visitors to the gallery will be able to see outfits – including dresses, jackets, tops and trousers – which have been made from scratch, and other garments which have been purchased from charity shops and upcycled. There will also be smaller items such as scarves, bags, jewellery and cushions on display, all showing the imagination and creativity which the students are encouraged to develop whilst on the course.

The course successfully applied for funding from The National Lottery Community Fund Scotland: Young Start Fund, a grants programme which creates opportunities for young people across Scotland to build their confidence, so that they can realise their full potential. One of the aims of the course is to encourage social interaction with others, as well as learning new skills such as sewing, altering garments and craft work.

Although the target age group for the course was originally 16 to 25, there is no upper age limit, and current students range in age from 15 to 60. Some have sewn before and find it very rewarding to brush up their skills, while others are learning to sew for the first time with course tutors, Clair Ramage and Liz Parkes, who were previously involved with the Creative Fashion courses at Hawick and Selkirk High Schools.

The FashionABLE project has received help and support from local textile firms in Hawick, as well as the Scrap Store in Selkirk.

Prior to the exhibition, two of the students attended a fashion shoot at Burnfoot Hub and at Hermitage Castle with Hawick photographer, John Parris. His stunning images are also on display at the Towerhouse.

“We are delighted to host the first exhibition of work by students on the FashionABLE course, providing an opportunity for them to showcase their creative talents in our textile museum,” said our Museum and Gallery Assistant, Zilla.

The exhibition runs until 26 May 2019 at the Borders Textile Towerhouse, Catwalk, 1 Tower Knowe, Hawick, TD9 9EN

 

Live Borders is a charity. Every penny you spend with us is reinvested into supporting active, creative and healthy communities in the Scottish Borders.