CHERYL HIGGINS

ABOUT ME

Following a year long placement at The Walt Disney Company, I have completed my final year specialising in Multimedia Textiles at Loughborough University. I am a creative textiles designer who combines traditional techniques such as hand embroidery, knitting and crochet with modern found resources to create innovative and contemporary outcomes. I specialise in taking every day mundane objects and creating a beautiful intricate piece so that its previous use is no longer known.   Inspired by natural forms, as well as geometric architectural structures, my work is diverse. I am able to focus on microscopic detail, capturing intricacy in primary source drawings and photographic images whilst at the same time developing an idea in a broader perspective by visualising its context and utilisation.

I love the satisfaction of producing intricate hand cut work, laser cut work and additionally I develop work into three-dimensional pieces using hard materials including glass, resin, and metal. Campana brothers and Droog design group are a source of great inspiration as are the intricate paper artists such as Mia Lui due to the detail and refined outcome.

Apparel product development & category management intern, The Walt Disney Company, (June 2013 – July 2014)

•Specialised in product development for global apparel accounts across all consumer segments from Infants to Adults, including H&M, Top Shop and Adidas.

•Worked directly with the London College of Fashion to create an Adult fashion range. Involvement in meetings with LCF from the initial concept designs, toiles and final samples. I successfully developed outfits for this range and organised an external adult immersion event to present the new range.

•Produced  trade show reports, inspiration boards and look books that were distributed globally for inspiration.

 

Watermark Publishing (March – April 2013) - part of UK Greetings major greetings card company

•Designed greetings cards for Clintons cards, Paperchase and Sainsbury's.

•At the end of this work experience I was offered a specially created paid 12 month internship

 

Nylander Couture Studio Management internship (July 2012) - a bespoke fashion company

•Assisted in launching collections, managed the studio, team and concurrent client projects.
•Contacted buyers and press as well as styling. arranging fittings and completing pattern lay costings.
•I now work part time on a freelance basis primarily sourcing and marketing for Nylander's designers.

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​Pomp de Franc cake society (September 2012) - a bespoke cake designer creating edible fashion statements​
•Created a cake for Jamie Oliver which was shown on his TV program.
•Decorated tiered cakes for London Fashion Week for Meadham Kirchhoff as set on the catwalk.
•Updated the company website and played an integral part in business development.
•Ensured a high quality finish for these prestigious clients demonstrating patience and attention to detail.

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Minnow Creative (March 2012) - independent company focused on product and package development

•Worked on live projects predominately using Illustrator, completing all the product development stages.

•Produced mood boards, colour pallets using pantone colours, repeat patterns, brand names and final outcomes.

•Design of Maisy products for Shreds, used their sample guides to design their children's range.