Pittards donation to final year fashion collection

Liaising with the University's School of Applied Sciences, well known for its international expertise in leather through the British School of Leather Technology (BSLT), a special type of leather - hair sheep - was identified as the most suitable raw material for her project. The School of Applied Sciences then secured a donation of 24 Ethiopian hair sheep skins from Pittards. Paul Evans, lecturer in leather technology, School of Applied Sciences, initiated this donation from Pittards. ‘Pittards are well respected throughout the leather industry and are the best manufacturers of hair sheep leathers in the world. These skins will be turned into different colours and effects through Jody working with the British School of Leather Technology and my assistance to help her create her final year collection.' Jody's collection is inspired by ornate objects and baroque furniture. She is specifically interested in the natural influences, such as plants and birds, used in the detail of the furniture, as well as shape. How nature has been manipulated to form such extravagant details and shapes within the furniture and how they lock and intertwine has inspired Jody to create her own shapes with leather. Initially, her collection was going to have a black and gold theme but she is now interested in incorporating striking dashes of different colours like violet and fuchsia pink onto her leathergoods. Jody is also going to be using ornate fixtures to complement her leathergoods. ‘I'm producing a collection of three bags, three shoes, three gloves and three belts which all need a special kind of thin leather which I will be spraying and embellishing', Jody commented, ‘I'm really grateful to Pittards for their kind donation which will allow my ideas to come to life.' Mike Dodd, marketing director, Pittards, said: ‘We receive a number of requests for sponsorship and were particularly pleased to be able to respond to Jody's request as her ideas were well researched and specific to our product. We look forward to seeing the end results.' Students from The University of Northampton will be showcased at the University's London Graduate Fashion Week Show on Monday, June 9, 2008, and at the Northampton Graduate Fashion Show on Wednesday, June 18, 2008, at Royal & Derngate. Around 26 Year 3 students each year get the opportunity to showcase their work on the catwalk, with other students exhibiting their designs at the events. Headline sponsors will be Schwarzkopf, in Year 2 of their three-year sponsorship deal with Hensmans Salons.