Treeney Harkin is a Burberry Design Scholar at the Royal College of Art currently studying an MA in Jewellery and Metal. Designing for wellbeing and inclusivity, her practice explores female power, healing and ritual. With a soft focus on female health, she aims to reconnect us to the earth, utilising the power of holistic remedies. By reigniting the rich communal traditions of women’s medicine, she aims to create communal healing and bridge the gap to our lost matrilineal knowledge.
Treeney Harkin previously gained a 1st class honours in Textiles and Surface Design before going on to work within the highly dynamic London fashion industry with brands at the forefront of the creative scene such as MARIEYAT, Marques’ Almeida and Burberry.
Projects
- His Gaze Owns HerA self organised exhibition opening up the conversation about the male gaze. Running for two days in Hackney, London, ‘His Gaze Owns Her’ brought together a range of female artists including a collaboration with a life drawing class, an intimate panel discussion and a session with a female self defence charity.
- UnderneathHaving researched the history of women’s clothing such as the corset and high heels, I became deeply aware of the negative effects they have on women’s bodies. A beautiful solid silver barbed wire bra reflects the compromise of beauty and health that women throughout history, and today, are pressured to make to meet unrealistic beauty standards imposed on women in society. Lingerie dagger clips inspired by sixteenth century corsets and the historical practice of presenting a disempowered woman
- Healing HumansBased on TCM and the practice of acupressure, I created weighted jewellery pieces that sit over pressure points, to relax the wearer. These pieces can be pushed and rolled, creating the meditative benefits of the shiatsu technique. Bracing pieces enforce good posture, reducing the overstraining of muscles. Designed on the phycology of touch, a soft fabric is interwoven between the jewellery pieces, stimulating the c-tactile fibres that convey the emotional quality of touch, soothing the mind.
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Work history
Production AssistantBurberry
London, United KingdomFreelance
Assisting with the production of Burberry’s collection shoots after the completion of their runway show and showroom. Working over 10 different sets through all clothing, accessories and product shoots to ensure that all imagery is completed and coded correctly.
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Online EditorAnyone Girl
Melbourne, AustraliaFreelance
Selecting submissions and imagery alongside writing and uploading content for New Zealand based magazine Anyone Girl. Working directly with the magazine’s editor and owner, Yasmine Ganley, consulting on creative content and ideas. Have continued the role remotely on a freelance basis.
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Education
Master in Jewellery and MetalRoyal College of Art
London, United Kingdom
Currently undertaking a Master's degree at the Royal College of Art in Jewellery and Metal
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B
BA (Hons) Textiles and Surface DesignBucks New University
- United Kingdom
Received a First Class Honours Degree in Textiles and Surface Design
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Awards
Burberry Design ScholarshipRoyal College of Art
Received the Burberry Design Scholarship to attend the Royal College of Art