Rowena Luke-King

Inspired by 'Théâtre de la Mode'; the 1940's exhibition of fashion dolls, dressed by couture designers including Lanvin, Balenciaga and Schiaparelli, this course, which combines doll making, pattern cutting and garment construction will culminate in an end-of-course miniature photo shoot. Specifically for the course, your tutor has created a pattern from which to make a fashion doll whose vital statistics are that of a UK garment size 12 reduced to 'quarter-scale', the format used when pattern cutting on a computer.

You will choose fabric from a selection of skin tones to cut and make your own fashion doll; inserting wire to enable movement in her limbs, exploring needle sculpture to give her shape; fabric paints and hand embroidery for her hair and facial features. For her clothes you use vintage dress patterns reduced to ‘quarter-scale’ and learn how to adapt them to create your own designs. You will make at least one complete outfit in 'quarter-scale' and experiment with different media and found objects to produce accessories and miniature photoshoot props.
 
With 'quarter-scale' pattern blocks available for more advanced pattern cutters and technical support for those who have never used a sewing machine, this course will suit anyone interested in fashion and/or doll making. A complete garment collection can be produced and modelled in quarter-scale, and for fashion students in particular, this course offers a unique way to add a new and exciting project to a portfolio of work.

To see more, check out Rowena's blog: www.rowenalukekingdolls.blogspot.com/

No previous experience is needed.

Rowena Luke-King has had an extremely diverse career in design. She has worked as a designer and colour consultant for textile design studios and leading retailers such as Marks & Spencer and NEXT. She has produced collections of clothes, accessories, hand printed fabrics, greetings cards and wrapping papers for a number of stores including Fiorucci and has worked as a stylist in the music industry (stage clothes that she created for 'Adam and the Ants' have been exhibited in the Victoria & Albert Museum). Rowena studied fashion and textiles at Central Saint Martins and is currently involved in sourcing vintage fabrics for the fashion industry.