Emma Hutchinson

My Research

I have two streams in my research as a maker I am passionate about reinvigorating artisan craft for future fashion. I like to study traditional surface pattern / embellishment techniques of the past and find a new purpose, relevance for them. 

I am also very interested in Fashion Curation and how this is a changing interface. I was involved in the co-curation of the launch and a subsequent alumni event of “Catwalking” by Chris Moore at Bowes Museum. 

http://thebowesmuseum.org.uk/Exhibitions/2018/Catwalking-Fashion-Through-the-Lens-of-Chris-Moore -

https://www.northumbria.ac.uk/about-us/news-events/news/fashion-alumni/

I designed and co-curated Re-Fashion at The Discovery Museum.This exhibition featured 60 exquisite objects from the collection at Newcastle’s Discovery Museum, made between 1701 and 1916.

https://www.northumbria.ac.uk/about-us/news-events/news/2016/04/re-fashioning-the-future/ 

My Interests

I am inspired by pattern, colour, texture, embellishment as well as cut and construction. My passion lies in developing new surfaces and textures through embellishment with the ultimate goal of making something beautiful. I reference vintage techniques and try to invigorate them so they have a new purpose and current relevance. My design approach is to sketch, sample and then create the final piece. I reflect on my knowledge of pattern cutting, surface embellishment and my time spent in industry developing collections for catwalk, when teaching. This allows me to help students create their own interpretations with authenticity. 

Areas of Expertise

An experienced fashion educator and industry practitioner, my area of expertise is in womenswear, garment design, pattern-cutting and surface embellishment. 

My Industrial Experience

I have fourteen years experience working for luxury international design companies in New York and Paris in design, production, manufacture, PR and consultancy as well as launching my own accessories business. Brands include: Vivienne Tam, Hula Accessories, Smythson of Bond Street, Karoo Marc Eisen, Mr & Mrs MacLeod, Here and There.

My areas of experience and expertise include: design concept, fabric and colour palettes, and design development, two-dimensional cutting, modelling on the stand through to pattern, garment fit and construction. Surface textiles and techniques, fabric embellishment, leatherwork, textile placement and manufacture.