Feature The Binocular clutch bag, which highlights
the audience perspective By Angie Boyer craft&design September/October 2010
Lizzie Searle is an exciting young textile designer and embroiderer who recently graduated from the University of Cumbria in Contemporary Applied Arts with a 1st Class BA (Hons). Her work caught my eye when I visited the Knitting & Stitching Show at Harrogate last autumn, so I stopped at her stand to find out more.
Lizzie is certainly a girl of many skills, proficient in both machine sewing and hand embroidery, as well as being confident in pattern cutting and costume making. Her knowledge of set design and construction is enhanced by a wide knowledge of printing, including lino print and screen printing. And over the past three years she has gained confidence with ceramics and pottery skills as well!
“Whilst completing my degree I undertook a variety of activities,” she tells me, “from regularly selling my work at a local craft shop, to completing a month’s placement in Cyprus to learn traditional basket weaving and history from the local weavers. In addition, I have taken a three-day business course, I’ve been involved with many craft fairs and have worked as an employee of a small business promoting local goods, something I’m passionate about.”
Lizzie researched the history and future of the novelty handbag to create her degree collection, the highly original range of Theatrical Handbags that I saw at the Knitting & Stitching Show.
“I created these novelty handbags to display the fun and magical qualities of the theatre,” she explains. “They combine humour with innovative pattern cutting and surface design inspired by the colour and decoration of Victorian toy theatres.”
In order to make a co-ordinated collection it was important that the same pattern flowed between all the handbags. “My inspiration for the pattern came from the decoration of the toy theatres,” she says. “After screen printing the silks, the relevant pattern pieces were appliquéd and embroidered. Each bag was individually influenced, taking different elements from the theatrical theme.”
After exhibiting her degree collection at New Designers in London, Lizzie was asked to tour with the Embroiderers’ Guild. Together with Creative Exhibitions Ltd, the Embroiderers’ Guild selects the best creative talent emerging from all of the textile and applied arts degree courses, to exhibit with the Graduate Showcase in the Knitting and Stitching Show in London, Dublin and Harrogate. Lizzie says, “Since you saw me at Harrogate last year, I have created a new collection of evening clutch bags, which still carry on the humour and surprise from the original theatrical handbags, but I believe these bags are more suitable for retail.” So keep an eye out for Lizzie Searle, I’m sure we’ll be seeing more of her in the near future, she’s certainly my tip for One to Watch!
This article is reproduced by kind permission of craft&design and first appeared in their Sep/Oct 2010 issue.
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