The Métiers d’Art Embroidery Fellowship
31st August, 2023
We are incredibly proud to have three RSN Degree Graduates selected for The Métiers d’Art Embroidery Fellowship, a 24-week programme with CHANEL & The Prince’s Foundation Métiers d’Art Fellowship in Partnership with Le19M.
This specialist postgraduate-level programme provides students with intensive training opportunities in the field of embroidery for Haute Couture and the Luxury Fashion Industry.
The Experience
Towards the end of January, the programme began with a weeklong trip to Paris for Ecole Lesage level 1 and 2 training to learn the main embroidery skills used in Haute Couture.
The students then arrived at Highgrove Gardens to gather inspiration from the beautiful surroundings and receive their brief: to create a hand-embroidered piece that demonstrates a high level of technical skills, inspired by Highgrove Gardens.
A second trip to Paris then occurred for an Atelier immersion week, as well as the students finalising the brief to create a clear concept and creating a range of samples. The final stage required students to produce final concepts guided by expert tutors and advice from their assigned mentors, with samples produced to go in an exhibition.
‘This experience has made my skills much more refined. I’m much more confident as an embroiderer and know where I sit in the fashion industry. I’ve also made friends with the other people on the course, and we all got along very well during the course. I had pictures taken of my work and received advice for my portfolio. The main thing I got out of this experience was a great portfolio ready to step into the fashion industry and Haute Couture.’
‘The whole journey of the course has changed me; I have become more confident in myself as a hand embroiderer, and my techniques have become more refined and polished. I had never thought I would get an amazing opportunity like this programme, getting to work in the ateliers and meeting people from industry who know who I am and have seen my work. I’ve always known colour was my unique selling point, but being on this course has made me embrace it even more.’
‘I feel extremely grateful to have been given the opportunity to be part of The Métiers d’Art Partnership, Embroidery programme. It was an intensive educational and skill-building experience, and I feel privileged to have met and been mentored by highly skilled creative professionals from CHANEL, The Prince’s Foundation and Le19M. The industry contacts I have acquired will benefit me greatly when seeking potential employment opportunities in the next chapter of my embroidery journey.’
The RSN would like to congratulate Elsa, Durga, and Eliza on their participation in such a special experience, and we cannot wait to see what they achieve next.
Read more of our RSN Graduate success stories here.
Are you interested in learning more about the skills and opportunities available when doing an Undergraduate Degree in Hand Embroidery? Join us at Hampton Court Palace on our next open day!
Images Credits: Ana Clark