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GFF Talent: Naomi Findlay Celebrates Traveller Culture

Meet GFF Talent Naomi Findlay, who is graduating from Herriot Watt University. Naomi’s family comes from a travelling background, which formed the basis of her final year project. Delving into traveller culture, the practical and sustainable nature of clothing worn by travellers, as well as the traditions passed down through her mum provide a uniquely personal perspective on a misunderstood segment of society. Read more about Naomi’s work below.

What is the most valuable thing you have learnt at university?
I feel the most valuable thing I have learned is working together and being collaborative. I think that bouncing ideas off each other and generating ideas makes the end product an epitome of creative thinking, as others think in many different ways. That is what I love so much about the fashion industry, everyone is so diverse in their ideas.

What was the starting point of inspiration for your final project?
My collection is based on Scottish travellers, a key part of my family heritage. They have always had a negative connotation pinpointed onto them by society as their way of life is unfamiliar. I grew up hearing the experiences my mum had and have incorporated the quirks of the lifestyle into my designs as these are happy memories for my family. I feel that travellers are a misconceived group in society and I want my collection to show the positive side of the lifestyle. Travellers are also known for mending and up-cycling so I incorporated this into my looks.
What materials have you used and how did you source them?
One of the key fabrics I incorporated was a ripped sail, which was otherwise unusable. This was an early travellers tent material so I felt it fit well with my collection. I had to wash to make the fabric workable and bleach every panel to ensure the colouring was crisp. I also created my own prints and had them printed through contrado and used my fabrics and fabric house for the remaining fabrics.
How has it evolved from your initial ideas and what have you learnt along the way?
At first, my project theme was purely driven by travellers perceptions but along the way, I felt my nature come through and I started to be enthralled by the practicality of the caravan lifestyle. I looked into how caravans function and this can be seen in the more mechanic aspects that come through in my design, such as rope tie elements that are representative of caravan blinds movements and attachable trouser elements, just like awnings.

What are the messages and themes behind your project that you want people to take away?
I explore diversity and sustainability within my project. I feel travellers, like many cultures, have a preconceived perception that negatively impacts how the world sees them. With my project, I wanted to show the true values travellers share and ultimately, how my perception of them differs. My mum loved the lifestyle and traditions and has so many happy memories which I want to show the world. Traditional travellers are also known for upcycling and make do/mend so when selecting the fabrics I ensured I gave the fabric a second lease of life!
What’s an aspect of the fashion industry that you’re passionate about fixing or having a positive impact on?
I feel everyone has to ensure sustainability and diversity is at the forefront of their minds in order to improve the fashion industry as it stands. How I would like to do my part if by hopefully merging equal opportunities of representation and a more responsible outlook to the way the industry functions. If we cater our clothing to everyone’s’ needs, there would be a less disposable fashion and we will see it in a new light as everyone would feel included and it would be better for the environment.
What is your plan once you finish your BA?
I love coming up with concepts and finding an idea to base collections off of. I feel it is something I can do well, so I would love to be part of a team helping brands find their inspiration and conceptualizing their ideas. Designing prints is also something I really enjoy so possibly going down that route. I hope to eventually have my own womenswear brand selling relaxed silhouette clothing with lots of colours.
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