Elyse Blackshaw

Elyse Blackshaw

BA (Hons) Embroidery, 2013

About me

ABOUT MY CAREER

Born and raised in Greater Manchester, I wanted to continue my education in this amazing city and Manchester School of Art has a fantastic history. I ended up studying BA (Hons) Embroidery, now known as Textiles in Practice, this was one of the only full-time embroidery bachelor’s courses in the UK. At Manchester Met, and the School of Art specifically, I gained the ability to be self-motivated and an appreciation for the power of mark making to transform ideas. I learnt to always dream big and push boundaries. There was not an allocated placement year, but we were encouraged to partake in placements during our second year. I interned with the iconic Dame Zandra Rhodes in London, and then travelled to Sydney Australia to intern at Karolina York print design studio. This allowed me to experience creative workplace environments, gain knowledge, and allow me to demonstrate qualities desirable for employers.

After graduating in 2013, I took a full-time internship with rainbow queen designer Kitty Joseph. Independently, I continued to build a portfolio of fashion illustrations for independent Manchester designers, some from Manchester Met such as Adam Jones. I used social media to promote my work before landing an opportunity to illustrate at London Fashion Week in 2015.

My current role is as a London based artist and fashion illustrator. I document and create content that covers London Fashion Week through drawing, attend events as a live portrait illustrator, create and sell my own artwork. Alongside this I ensure to take part in social impact projects sharing the art of fashion illustration with communities to create public artwork and installations.

I have since gained a PGCE in secondary design and education in 2015. This allowed me to acquire a salary role to save up the finances to study an MA in Textiles at Royal College of Art in 2019. The PGCE was great for my professional development and enabled me to facilitate fashion illustration workshops post MA. I have since been a visiting lecturer for Textiles in Practice and Fashion Design and Technology at Manchester Met. I have also delivered workshops for Graduate Fashion Week where I am now a Fashion Illustration Judge. I have also been employed as a visiting associate lecturer at the University for the Creative Arts.

MY TOP TIP FOR STUDENTS

Gain as much experience as you can. Use your connections and don’t be afraid to ask for opportunities.

I’M INSPIRED BY

I am inspired by those who dedicate their life to following their dreams.

WHY I LOVE MANCHESTER MET

I loved the opportunity to explore my creative ideas freely, be pushed to embrace opportunities and foster a long-lasting creative practice.

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