Rachel Topping

I chose to apply for BA (Hons) Fashion at Manchester School of Art as I feel that I will make a unique and enthusiastic student.  I am a very imaginative individual and I enjoy using my ideas to create interesting and fascinating pieces.  I particularly enjoy projects where I am able to develop these ideas and ensure that the finished piece is eye catching and distinctive.  I have enjoyed exploring different areas on my Art Foundation Course, especially my recent fashion illustration project.  I really feel that I showed an individual approach towards this project and found that the different techniques I used, not only broadened my knowledge, but were fun and exciting.  I would like to have the chance to develop my ideas further in higher education and specialise in an area that I know I would find inspiring.  I think that to be able to succeed, motivation is extremely important and this course would provide this opportunity for me.

In the future, I would like to have a career within the fashion industry.  I found it very interesting that past students have progressed onto careers at high street stores such as; Topshop, Next and River Island.  This is something that I aim to achieve in my future career.  I currently work at the high street fashion store Internacionale.  My dedication to the job has led the management to give me extra responsibilities such as, merchandising, window dressing and weekly product analysis figures.  Working in this environment allows me to keep up to date with all the current fashion trends and latest demands on certain styles.  In my spare time I enjoy socialising and catching up with my friends.  I am also currently having driving lessons with a view to passing my test this year.  I am an approachable person and a very good listener and feel that these qualities would help me to fit in easily to university life.  It would be a privilege to study at Manchester School of Art and I believe that I would be an asset to the university.

Ink Fashion Illustration

The fashion illustration on the left was created using batik, ink and watercolour paint.  I then decorated the piece using collage, printing and sewing.  I then photocopied the final illustration so I could intercut and work into the second image.  I then decorated this piece to create the fashion illustration shown on the right.

Batik Fashion Illustration

This fashion illustration piece was created by using ink and watercolour paints.  For the illustration on the left I used a batik technique before adding the ink.  The ink then resisted where the wax had been added causing the lines and pattern to show through.  I think that this technique is very effective.  The illustration on the right was created using ink and watercolour.  I decorated both illustrations using acrylic paint and embroidary stitching.

Collage Fashion Illustration

This fashion illustration piece was created using collage.  The illustration on the left was a basic collage using magazine cut outs, paper and tissue paper.  I printed on the flowers using acrylic paint and sewed into the image using an embroidary sewing machine.  The image on the right is a photocopy of the first illustration, I used this technique so I could work into the image and change the look of the illustration.

Silk Screen Printing

I used a silk screen printing technique to create this piece of work.  I intercut the pattern created from the screens into the background paper.  I used the 'bird' shape as it linked into my chosen theme.  I decorated the outside of the shapes with black cotton.  I particularly enjoyed this technique as you could be creative, imaginative and it was fun to do!

Silk Screen Printing

This piece of work was created by a silk screen printing technique.  I used the pattern created from the screens and intercut this into the background paper.  I then decorated the piece with black glitter paint and stickers, I felt that the decoration finished the piece off and also made it link into my current theme.

Life Drawing - Pastel

This is an example of a piece from my life drawing lessons.  I used different coloured pastels in this piece of work.  I looked at tone and shade.  I feel that my life drawing has helped me to acquire new skills and also improved my basic drawing skills.