So, I’m Clare Allington… Just graduated from Southampton Solent University with a degree in Fashion Design. I’m originally from the little village of Barnham (near Chichester on the South Coast of England!) where I first established my love for the arts I suppose. Apparently it runs in the blood… my great great aunt was a royal academy artist, and my grandfather is incredibly talented when it comes to fine art … and then you get to my parents. Although neither of them would ever admit it they are both really creative, my dad through carpentry and my mum, well she’s the one who first got me started on my road to fashion. I was taught to use the sewing machine at 9 and have never stopped really, I absolutely love it. Although I’ve relocated to Southampton now, they still aid me hugely with the development of my ideas.
So, University… It was hard, really time consuming and mentally draining. Throughout my time studying, whenever I met new people they would always ask what I was studying and as soon as the words have left your mouth this look of just surprise comes over their face, for some obscure reason it is seen as an odd degree choice, which is odd seeing as fashion is one of the largest industries in the world. You get past it, the guys I have lived with over the 3 years I studied all have a renewed appreciation for the fashion world and of how much hard work it takes to do an arts degree. It was worth it, all the nights spent awake sewing the last few buttons onto a garment and annotating sketchbooks all became worth it the moment I watched my first outfit come down the catwalk in my first ever catwalk show.