Angela's creative enterprise wins North award
Shetland designer Angela Irvine, from Whalsay, has been named the north regional winner of the Enterprising Student Awards 2010, sponsored by the Federation of Small Businesses.
Angela, who studied for her contemporary textiles degree at Shetland College UHI, part of the prospective University of the Highlands and Islands, was chosen for her development of designs for textiles and couture fashion garments inspired by traditional Shetland lace.
The research for her work began while Angela was a student. She developed her design ideas using the latest software in the college’s Apple Mac suite to combine engineered digital prints with hand-knitted lace.
Director of Shetland College UHI, George Smith, said: “Angela has been a credit to the college, progressing from taking courses at Whalsay Learning Centre to full-time art education on the national certificate in art and design course to her graduation with distinction from the BA contemporary textiles degree in Lerwick. I must thank Angela Hunt and all the staff in the creative industries section for the dynamic teaching and support they provide for all our students.”
As a regional winner Angela will receive £600 towards furthering her creative practice as well as going on to compete with two other finalists for the overall national prize.
Angela – who was last year’s UHI student of the year - will give a short presentation at the Falkirk Wheel to representatives of industry and education on 30th September with speakers Dougie Clark and Gavin Oattes of the Knowledge Tree who recently featured in the latest BBC series of Dragons’ Den.
Angela Hunt, senior lecturer in creative industries at Shetland College UHI, said: “I’m sure Angela will wow the judges with her excellent presentation skills and the high standard of photography of her contemporary textile and fashion designs. The quality Shetland wool and design of her garments are a testament to the continuing tradition of knitting and making craft items to a high standard in Shetland.”
The college now has a new short pilot course on how to start a creative business, run in partnership with Business Gateway at Train Shetland. For more information on this and other courses, people can contact the college on 01595 771000.
