Fashion Textile students awarded prestigious bursaries

Two UWE Bristol Fashion Textile students have been awarded prestigious bursaries from the Worshipful Company of Framework Knitters, one of the historical City of London's livery companies. Emily Sharman-Hayles and Daniel Hallam were both successful in their applications for the bursaries.

The Worshipful Company of Framework Knitters grants educational bursaries to exceptionally talented final-year students who are developing knit specialisms.

Jonathan Pears, one of the judges commented: "Our task was made very hard this year due to the high standard of the students we interviewed, and all students nominated should take encouragement from being in the top 50 knitting students in the UK. I will be in contact with Daniel and Emily in my role as mentor to see if they need anything from us, or if we could be of any assistance in their professional development."

Emily’s work was developed from a body of research into ideas around androgyny and how the negative space between the body and a garment could be utilised to redefine the silhouette.

Emily worked extensively with a variety of different yarns to create flowing pleated knits that were juxtaposed alongside heavier felted textiles.

Dan’s design work focuses on exploring the potential of combining knitted and woven fabrics through a needlepunch type process. The project that won him the award explored ideas for interchangeable trainer uppers that utilise this process.