Creative Quarter, the V&A’s flagship event for secondary schools and colleges, took place on Friday 16th November and was attended by 30 schools from around London and further afield. A total of 3,600 young people participated in talks, workshops and drop-in events throughout the day.
The day gave students the chance to find out about different courses and careers within the creative industries and included workshops and talks from high profile figures from the world of fashion, architecture, transport, product and digital design among others.
Speakers included, Christine Nielsen, Head of Womenswear at Alexander McQueen, Sir Paul Smith, Ivan Harbour from Roger Stirk Harbour and Partners, Chris Sherwin, Head of Sustainability at Seymourpowell and digital designer, Karsten Schmidt.
The school students were also able to get hands-on in a series of practical workshops and drop-in activities throughout the day including jewellery design, furniture design, product design, stage makeup and fashion styling. Renowned graphic designer, Anthony Burrill, led a ‘cut n paste’ session in the Art Studio along with product designer, Jasleen Kaur. There was an open source coding activity to create visuals projected on the wall of the Sackler Centre to accompany tunes provided by DJ Malcolm Goldie.
A fashion show coordinated by Rebecca English in the Schools Team and Juliana Sissons fashion designer and course tutor at the University of Brighton was held in the Raphael Gallery. The show included work from students at the University of Brighton undertaking BA Hons Fashion Design with Business Studies. The aim of the fashion show was to give school students a real insight into fashion design at HE level and to help place HE courses within an industry context.
Creative Quarter is a partnership event with the Exhibition Road Cultural Group.
Creative Quarter at the V&A is supported by NADFAS Young Arts
