FACE Excellence 2023
Nothando Ngwawaira from University of Westminster…
takes centre stage at GFW
“Since winning this award at Graduate Fashion Week I’ve been passing my clothes on to stylists for their shoots. That has been really cool. I’m going to be in a magazine with an artist I really like – and that feels like a ‘yay,’ moment.” Nothando is understandably excited.
“Winning the FACE Excellence Award has given me a focus to decide how how I go forward. My parents were really happy and proud, when I told them I’d won. I didn’t let anyone know I was going in for it. I thought let’s see how it turns out.”
Winning the FACE Excellence Award has given me a focus to decide how how I go forward.
Thando has been creating art based on afro futurism since she was about 16. It’s a theme she continues to explore. “My tutors were very supportive and let me lead with my textile creations. I had a lot of creative freedom to experiment with the fabrics and finishes before turning the them into garments. They trusted my process and helped me build on my passions. Thank you Robert Leach, Jayne Hayward and Joyce Thornton.”
“I used quite a lot of wool: I did single needle felting by hand, the colour compositions were mixed and created by me. I spent a day on each drawing the image out in felt. Most of the embroidery machine it was done by professional machine I designed this initially and then basically put everything into the programme. I think I took a maximalist approach in terms of the colours and the textiles; however, I think the research and theme itself justifies the need for a maximalist approach.
The business of the collection reflects the many ideas that were in my mind, with me only properly envisioning the outcome at the end. Working freely made the whole process more enjoyable and natural, as I just wanted to do the theme justice.
“I also did hand embellishment, taking inspiration from the multiple stars and galaxies in space to create jewel-like elements with silver and mechanical nuts and bolts.” This is where science and Afro-futurism and art merges effortlessly for Thando. Research and influences are artists such as Barkley L. Hendricks, Faith Ringgold and Kehinde Wiley whose influences merge with Thando’s drawings of rocket engines and physics concepts.
I am quite into science and physics and it all ties into my wider interests.
There was parental encouragement to follow an academic career. “I am quite into science and physics and it all ties into my wider interests. Engineering would have been my choice if my parents had their way. I’ve always been into cars. Choosing to do fashion was last minute in that I’d rather follow my dreams. I’ve learned to trust my ideas and my visions and just go with it. Virgil worked with Mercedes to come up with a car so its not a foreign concept to me.”
I collect materials and scraps. I break apart used garments
Thando is grateful for a supportive family and the space to spread out. “I collect materials and scraps. I break apart used garments. I don’t like waste whether it’s money or resources. I’m very economically minded. Expensive isn’t necessarily the best. Over the years I have collected bags of scraps and off cuts. I store them all over the house…in the corners of rooms, closets. In the past this would cause friction.
Over the years I have collected bags of scraps and off cuts. I store them all over the house…in the corners of rooms, closets. In the past this would cause friction
Perhaps I didn’t always clean up after myself and you do need a lot of space to do what I do.” Thando reflects on another big break since winning the FACE Excellence prize. “Now all that’s changed at home and my family are really enthusiastic.”
This is the third year of running the FACE Excellence Prize in association with the Graduate Fashion Foundation. Previous winners are Joy Julius 2021 and Meerim Mamatova 2022 both from Kingston School of Art.
Report Caryn Franklin