Local designer's fashion success

Former Sussex Downs College student Katie Jones is one of nine designers who have been chosen to collaborate with Selfridges and the Centre for Sustainable Fashion as part of Bright New Things.
By The Newsroom
Published 24th Apr 2016, 11:06 BST
Katie Jones SUS-160420-105528001Katie Jones SUS-160420-105528001
Katie Jones SUS-160420-105528001

This year marks the fifth year of Selfridges’ Bright Young Things talent platform, and this year’s focus is on sustainable and innovative design.

For the first time ever the Selfridges 2016 Bright New Things were invited to apply for the special bursary award of £30,000 of funding and a year of mentorship, and Katie is the worthy recipient.

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Following her time studying Textiles and Art & Design at Sussex Downs College Lewes campus, Katie graduated from Central Saint Martin’s University of Art with an MA in knitwear in 2013. She now crafts imaginative and sustainable luxury knitwear from her studio in Stratford, East London.

Katie Jones, former student of Sussex Downs College, said, “My sustainable practices started when I was a student.

“I had to be thrifty, so I used end-of-roll fabrics and unravelled charity shop jumpers for wool. Gradually, this mind set became my brand ethos.”

Katie’s label takes a waste-not approach to design by sourcing surplus materials from British and Italian design houses, proving that sustainable fashion doesn’t have to be plain or unimaginative.

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Katie said, “Attending Sussex Downs College was the turning point in my education where I learnt it was possible to pursue a career doing something that I loved.”

Sussex Downs College have endless lists of successful alumni. Success stories include Abbie Shaw who is a designer for Stella McCartney, Troy Hyde who is head of graphic design at Ted Baker Menswear and Nathan Bishop who is a bespoke tailor for Fielding & Nicholson of Saville Row.

James DiBiase, applied art and design coordinator at Sussex Downs College, said, “Katie is one of many students who have flourished in the creative industry following their time at Sussex Downs College. Her achievements are a real inspiration to all students who study creative subjects with us.”

Visit www.sussexdowns.ac.uk/alumni

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