From Classroom to Creation: Verity’s Textile Journey
When we were kindly invited along to Mrs Heather Hansby’s Textiles class to get a behind-the-scenes look at Pymble’s design world, Verity Haslam (Year 10) – the textiles student nominated by the Technology and Applied Sciences department to be featured in this series – was the first to greet us as we entered the classroom, with a smile spanning from ear to ear.
The first thing that was evident, however, was that the lesson didn’t feel like it was taking place in a typical classroom. Students were scattered across the room working individually or in pairs, either at their desks or on the workbenches surrounding the walls.
There was music playing in the background to help fan the flames of creativity, the girls were collaborating with one another on their work and the soft hum of sewing machines filled the air. The vibes of the space felt more akin to a design workshop in New York City than a classroom in the leafy suburb of Pymble.
Sparking a passion for fashion
Verity’s passion for fashion started in Year 8 during her first-ever Textiles class, where she crafted a pair of shorts with little crabs on them.
“That project ignited a spark in me, leading me to somehow convince my grandma to gift me a sewing machine for my birthday later that year,” Haslam said.
“With my new tool in hand, I quickly realised that I had developed the skills to create more than just simple pieces; I could design and make clothing and dresses.”
It was this revelation that inspired her to enrol in the 200-hour Textiles course in Year 9. Since then, Verity says her love for textiles has only deepened, with every stitch and seam continuing to fuel her creative passion.
Mastering the art of corsetry
In only her third year of studying textiles, Verity says the costume she designed and created of a feminine version of the character ‘Time’ from the movie Alice Through the Looking Glass is the one which she’s so far most proud of.
“The project was particularly challenging due to the intricacies of making corsets. I had to design and construct both a corset bodice and a neck corset, which initially proved quite difficult,” said Haslam.
“However, with the invaluable support from my teachers, I managed to overcome these challenges and complete the costume.”
If you need proof of just how much dedication Verity has for textiles, she says the satisfaction of mastering this corset was so profound that she was inspired to make another corset ‘just for fun’ during the following school holidays.
“This project stands out as a testament to my growth and dedication in textile design,” she said.
Inspiration through character and costume
When it comes to inspiration, Verity says her main source is that of costume design because it allows her to channel her creativity through the lens of a character.
“This process lets me explore and manipulate the character’s traits and personality, crafting a costume that truly represents them,” she said.
She’s most recently been captivated by the 1995 British television drama Pride and Prejudice, with the show’s vibrant and period-inspired fashion sparking her interest in creating costumes that blend colourful, contemporary elements with the elegant style of that era.
“This fusion of modern flair with historical sophistication is a thrilling challenge that I’m eager to explore further in my designs,” said Haslam.
From concept to creation
As is the case in any creative industry, the process one goes through to get from an initial idea to a finished product is crucial, and it differs from person to person.
For Verity, it starts with gathering inspiration to help her envision the overall direction of the design, followed by the creation of a mood board.
“I compile a mood board featuring colours, fabrics and techniques that resonate with my concept. This mood board acts as a foundation for my ideas and helps set the tone for the project,” she said.
Once her creativity is flowing, she then moves on to sketching her design, something which she describes as ‘meticulous and evolving’ as the sketches often change throughout the process.
“While the final product may differ slightly from the initial sketches, these drawings provide a crucial blueprint and guide me in bringing the garment to life,” Haslam said.
“This class is like a family”
As our time in the class was drawing to a close, there was one simple, but important, question I wanted Verity to answer: what is your favourite part about studying textiles at Pymble?
Is it the fact that it gives her an outlet to explore her creativity? Or is it the hands-on aspect, where she gets to design and create her own clothing, that she enjoys the most?
Surprisingly, it wasn’t either of these things.
“This class is like a family. Everyone is so supportive of each other and willing to help other people when they need it,” said Haslam.
Mrs Hansby furthered that sentiment, explaining how much she enjoys teaching such a gifted, hard-working group of individuals.
“Verity, and every other student in my class, is such a pleasure to teach. Not only are they extremely talented, but they are all very independent, meaning they can be left to work on their own and still produce exceptional results,” Hansby said.
Where fashion stands in Verity’s future
Although she thoroughly enjoys sewing and designing, Verity says she’s uncertain if pursuing textiles as a career will be a practical path.
“I have a deep passion for acting and would ideally love to combine this love with costume design, blending drama and creativity,” Haslam said.
“However, the practical side of me worries about the feasibility of making a successful career out of my passions. As a result, I am considering more stable professions, such as becoming a psychologist or even a dentist.”
There’s no question about Verity’s passion for textiles, and whether she chooses to pursue a career in this field, it will always be a big part of her life.
“These fields (psychology and dentistry) offer a reliable career trajectory whilst allowing me to keep my creative interests as fulfilling hobbies,” she said.
