Nestled in the hills of Scotland, Heriot-Watt University is a hub for creative and innovative student work. As students explore the unique atmosphere of the campus, they are constantly pushing the boundaries of design and fashion in unexpected ways. One of the more recent and unique influences on student work has been fashion designer, Vivienne Westwood, and the natural environment on campus. Westwood’s iconic style and the lush greenery of the university have combined to create one-of-a-kind student works that celebrate both nature and fashion.
1. Vivienne Westwood & Heriot-Watt University: Student Artwork Inspired by Nature
Vivienne Westwood and Heriot-Watt University have recently partnered to showcase the stunning artwork created by students inspired by the beauty of nature.
The exhibition featured a series of artworks representing nature from the student’s perspective, with the creative medium of their choice. Painting, photography, printmaking, hand-drawn maps, digital designs, sculptures, fashion and textiles were all included in the showcase to create a rich and diverse display.
The results were captivating and the university has praised the students’ exceptional talent for demonstrating a little-known reverence for the outdoors. From enchanted forests to abstract botanical installations, the works reflected a range of perspectives and brought a unique and deep connection to nature:
- A focus on the role of the natural world as a source of creativity
- An exploration into how, on a larger scale, nature affects human life
- A demonstration of how to best capture the beauty of nature
The intent of the exhibition was to make viewers recognize the magnificence of the natural world, and this was successfully achieved, generating both admiration and interest in the student’s ideas, techniques, and styles of representation.
2. Embracing Sustainable Design Through Vivienne Westwood’s Ethos
Vivienne Westwood has been described as ‘one of the most pioneering and influential forces of British fashion history’, and her ethos couples experimental design with an uncompromising stance on sustainability. This two-pronged approach to fashion has allowed her to revolutionise the industry’s approach to sustainable design.
- Westwood utilised her creativity to develop a sustainable fashion approach.
- By respecting the source materials used and controlling the end-product, the fashion designer was able to minimise her company’s environmental impact with minimal compromise to design.
Westwood’s approach to sustainability is reflected in her process; from her use of local materials and traditional suppliers to her line of organic cotton garments and reuse of vintage garments. The fashion designer has worked to ensure the fabrics used for her garments are ethical-certified, and she has worked with organic farmers to promote the use of chemical-free growing processes.
Additionally, in 2011 Westwood partnered with Ethical Fashion Initiative, an organisation that cultivates sustainable livelihoods in sub-Saharan Africa. Together they created the Ethical Fashion Africa collection, which successfully merged traditional African fabrics and design with Westwood’s iconic style. This has allowed for the proliferation of African craftsmanship on a global stage, as well as the preservation of traditional dress.
Westwood’s long-standing commitment to sustainability is inspiring other fashion designers to make more ethical decisions, and her approach is helping build momentum for a more ecological fashion industry overall.
3. Renewed Focus on Eco-Friendly Textiles in Student Designs
The push towards sustainability has taken the fashion world by storm, and student designers are joining the charge! Not only are they focusing on using upcycled or recycled fabrics, but they’re also creating their own highly eco-friendly fabrics to fit their individual designs.
These fabrics come in all forms, from plant-based fabrics made with cellulose from trees and grass, to recycled PETE fabrics derived from plastic soda bottles. Students are also perfecting techniques such as silkworm breeding, and natural dyeing with vibrant natural ingredients like gardenias, and turmeric.
- Upcycling is when students take existing pieces of fabric and turn them into something exciting and new.
- Recycling involves gathering scraps and forgotten pieces or turning worn out items into something useful.
- Plant-based fabrics made with cellulose from trees and grass utilize a renewable resource, require less energy to produce, and emit less carbon into the atmosphere.
- PETE fabrics made from recycled soda bottles are taking the student market by storm.
- Silkworm breeding is an increasingly popular way for students to create their own silk fabrics, while minimizing any negative environmental impact.
- Natural Dyes made from plants, vegetables, and spices imparts unique colors and scents to the eco-friendly fabrics.
The creativity of student designers isn’t the only thing taking flight – the materials they’re employing to bring their fabulous designs to life is also a huge leap forward for sustainability in the world of fashion.
4. “We Can Create a Better Future” – Vivienne Westwood at Heriot-Watt
Vivienne Westwood gave a dynamic speech when she spoke at Heriot-Watt, and her key message was that “we can create a better future”. Drawing on her own experiences, Westwood demonstrated the positive changes that can be made when determined individuals stand up, take responsibility, and act upon existing problems.
Not only was Westwood a creative in her industry, but she also intelligently used her influence to spark transformational change in areas such as the environment, public health, and education. She shared the importance of understanding our place in the world and our responsibility to make decisions that will impact our future. She spoke about creativity as a powerful tool to make forward-thinking change, and highlighted how being pioneers can bring about a new era of progress.
Westwood provided two simple yet effective starting points for students at Heriot-Watt to take action. Firstly, she urged them to have a vision for the future, and then secondly to work hard to make it happen. With these takeaways, Vivienne Westwood’s memorable address so poignantly gives us the spark of inspiration to help us create a better future.
Vivienne Westwood’s on-going influence in fashion and design is impossible to miss, and this student work from Heriot-Watt University certainly highlights her inspiration and leaves a lasting impression. By channelling the essence of nature and combining it with Westwood’s ground-breaking designs, these students have created work that demonstrates the potential for ecological and fashion design to come together in fabulous ways. We can only imagine what great things these students will create next.
