BA (Hons) Fashion Design

Heather relocated to the UK from the west coast of Canada to begin postgraduate study with the Glasgow School of Art where she completed a Masters of Research in Design Innovation. In Canada she worked under her own conceptually driven internationally recognised fashion label MONO and comes from a background in education, leading fashion and product design courses at both Emily Carr University and Vancouver Community College. Heather Martin is a Senior Design Lecturer, Design Researcher and the Course Leader of BA (Hons) Fashion Design and MA Design Tutor at Arts University Plymouth. Since 2017 Heather has been shaping the local circular economy and the design curriculum at Arts University Plymouth with her practice-based research project UN - MAKE + RE - CLOTHE. Creative practice and continuous learning has transformed Heather’s life and because of this she is committed to the goal of transforming others lives through design and through learning. Heather enjoys making things, thinking about how to make things better and then implementing strategies and providing leadership to make those things happen.

After studying fine art at Marmara University Istanbul, Ilker Cinarel moved to the UK in 2000 to work in London, as a Designer Assistant for Vivienne Westwood's Gold Label range. Ilker then went on to work as a Designer Assistant for Giorgio Armani in Milan and as the Visual Merchandising Co-Ordinator for all Giorgio Armani UK stores. He studied an MA Fine Art Contemporary Practice at Falmouth University and graduating in September 2011, won the Sandra Blow Award and the 2014 Inland Art Festival Award. Ilker's practice is multidisciplinary and explores many different mediums ranging from installation, painting, drawing, sculpture and performance. His work has been exhibited both nationally and internationally at Porthmeor Studios, Newlyn Art Gallery, The Montage Gallery and the 6th Istanbul Biennale. His research projects have included an internship with Höchst and Retsch porcelain companies in Germany. Recent works are also held in private collections.

Jen Wilde is a highly skilled and versatile fashion professional with a rich background in the industry. A graduate of Arts University Plymouth, Jen earned a First Class Honours in BA (Hons) Fashion in 2019 and is currently a Technical Tutor, working across our Fashion, Interiors, Textiles, and Costume courses. In the professional realm, Jen has amassed a wealth of experience, showcasing her adaptability and technical prowess across various roles. Between 2020 and 2022, she served as a Pattern Cutter at Westward Bound, where she was instrumental in creating new designs and innovative solutions, working closely with the Head of Design and Manufacture. Her role involved a myriad of responsibilities, including drafting new designs, creating grading tables, and managing the pattern room. Jen's journey in the fashion industry is marked by a series of successful stints in various capacities. In 2019, she worked as a freelancer for Amy Cook, where she honed her skills in garment designing and pattern cutting. This was followed by a three-month internship at Makers HQ, where she focused on digital pattern cutting and grading using Optitex. Jen's expertise also extends to digital platforms, proficient in using software like Gerber and IDigit, skills she further developed during her two-month internship at Grade House in 2018. Beyond her technical skills, Jen is known for her high-level pattern cutting abilities. She possesses a deep understanding of garment construction, utilising a variety of techniques and fabrics. Her proficiency extends to Adobe Suites including Photoshop, Illustrator, and InDesign, and she is adept at creating technical packs and conducting research. Jen's attention to detail and analytical approach to design have earned her several accolades, including being selected to represent Arts University Plymouth at the Graduate Fashion Week 2019 catwalk and winning the Art Couture Painswick Wearable Art Competition in 2016. Outside of her professional life, Jen is a proactive learner with a keen interest in sustainable fashion and British manufacture. She is constantly updating and developing her skills to stay abreast of the current trends and technologies in the fashion industry.

An experienced stylist and visual merchandiser, Alanna has created window installations and overseen creative styling for some of the highstreet's best-known brands. Working at Oxford Street’s flagship Miss Selfridge and Topshop Knightsbridge in London, her creative installations have been seen by an average of 4.3 million people a week. Alanna has significant experience of retail environments and their working and has led a creative team responsible for opening stores around the UK, including high-profile store refurbishments and new store openings. Also responsible for styling for press events, Alanna studied Cultural Studies and Media Communications at Bath Spa university, where she specialized in identity in music and fashion cultures, and is passionate about the discussion of these areas within Fashion Media and Marketing.