Clubber Spotlight: Sophie Joan
In this week’s Club Spotlight, we went behind the scenes with Dazed Clubber and designer Sophie Joan to find out more about her creative process, the healing power of textiles, and her fashion design projects, which speak to her love for upcycling
Hi, I’m Sophie Joan, a Fashion Design student currently studying at University of Westminster. My approach to designing tends to be rooted in reflecting on my personal journey, whether that be exploring my identity or delving into the close relationships I have, to share and create a sense of community and emotion through the garments I create. With this, I tend to be inspired by poetry/ literature, art history, blended with my love for tactile material.
I became interested in design during lockdown as textiles became my salvation. My Grandma would teach me how to knit and gave me her sewing equipment, as she was a skilled sewist when she was younger. Textiles became especially healing to me after she passed; I paid homage to her through a knitted installation memorial. In my Foundation course, I used my skill for textile art and conceptual ideas in my fashion design projects. My FMP looked at my personal struggles, researching into the concept of the ‘Inner Child’ and combining these ideas of growth, influence from environment and child-like wonder.
Recently, I created a project named ‘An Ode to Cloth’ for my university first year project, surrounding denim up-cycling. My project centres around celebrating the significance of cloth and the techniques used to create cloth, such as weaving. Inspired by historical tapestries, the denim is stripped back to appreciate the craftsmanship of the materials, making them even more valuable and precious, asking the viewer to slow down, cherish the crafting and embrace the cycle of mending.
I always try to be conscious of my environmental impact. I find it exciting to create new functions for clothing by wearing them in different ways, adding layers and safety-pinning different materials together to create something new to wear. Styling can be a good way of generating ideas and is beneficial for anyone who wants to experiment more.
In my latest project under my ‘Transformation’ module at university, I wanted to continue to explore this idea of multi functionality through the removable components. This is made from dead stock fabric. Growing up in Newcastle, now based in London, I am adapting to the London creative scene and intend on collaborating with design projects and sharing my work, while gaining more experience in the industry, over the Summer. Fashion helps me to express myself authentically. Being in London, I know my practice will continue to evolve.
@sophjwilk
Companies
Dazed Media
- Publishing