A SCOTS textile designer, whose experience of the coronavirus lockdown led to a change in direction, will launch her first online collection based on the architectural heritage of Dunfermline on Saturday.
Claire Christie, who studied textile design at the Glasgow School of Art in the early 90s and is originally from Paisley, went on to make her career in set design and costume in the theatre industry in Bristol, before she decided to move back to home to Scotland and have her two children.
The 50-year-old set up a homeware business in Dunfermline under the banner of Clarabella Design Studio in 2007, but it was not until she was confined to her home during the pandemic that she decided to pursue her dream of having her own clothing line.
With more time on her hands she then decided to learn the art of pattern cutting and started to experiment with putting her prints onto dresses.
“I used to make my homeware items only out of vintage fabrics from the sixties and seventies but ended up not being able to find the material I wanted and so became determined to create my own,” said Christie.
“To do this I went back to school in 2018 – Fife College – to study digital design.
“This gave me the skills to enable me to create a range of prints, something I had always wanted to do.”
She continued: “My starting point was my love of the heady colours and patterns of the sixties and from this I have created a selection of prints and garments.
“Dunfermline used to be known for weaving and was particularly renowned for the production of linen.
“My studio in the town’s Maygate is in the oldest building in Dunfermline and looks out over the Heritage Quarter.
“I wanted to create prints that captured something of the town’s textile spirit and architectural history while injecting vibrant colour and life into the fabric.”
Her Dunfermline-inspired collection is called Hometown and comprises three pieces – a tunic, dress and skirt which are available in a variety of different designs and colours.
Christie said that she is very passionate about keeping production in Fife, and is using a small family manufacturing business called Livingston & Sons in Lochgelly.
Everything will be made to order and she will hand finish all the garments herself.
Christie added: “I’ve done a couple of pop-up boutiques to test the waters and both had really positive feedback – and orders.”
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