Clare has been teaching and directing Fashion Design Programmes for over 18 years predominantly within higher education as well as at postgraduate level gaining a wealth of pedagogical and professional experience both nationally and internationally.
Over the last 14 years Clare has been at the forefront of the post soviet creative industries in Moscow, Russia, establishing a BA (Hons) Fashion Design Programme and leading a new international fashion department to provide new globally facing fashion education as part of a British Higher School of Art & Design franchise partnership with University of Hertfordshire.
Under Clare’s creative direction and leadership, the course has inspired an internationally facing generation of fashion designers, entrepreneurs, thought leaders and creative disruptors that have redefined the perception of Russian fashion talent on a global platform.
Clare’s educational strategy fosters conceptual integrity, curiosity, experimentation and innovation while encouraging risk, bravery and imaginative curiosity. This process is underpinned by critical dialogue, technical dexterity and a commitment to craftsmanship.
British art school traditions creatively intersect with the cultural capital and diverse personal histories of students while a focus on social responsibility and sustainability fuel meaningful contributions to an ever changing and complex global landscape.
The logistical and philosophical challenges in establishing and sustaining fundamental change in design learning and teaching within Russia have been complex. In October 2018, i-D magazine visited the BA Fashion Graduate Showcase at Mercedes Benz Fashion Week in Moscow. Their subsequent interview explored Clare’s impact and contribution to the wider discussion on Fashion education both in Russia and globally, celebrating both hers and her students sustained, creative tenacity within ever challenging and changing socio-political conditions
‘Yet, against a difficult tide, the frustrations can also become the motivations to create incredible work and be the spark that the country needs to change perceptions towards fashion design. Following a week of highly-wearable collections at Moscow Fashion Week, the graduate show, which came on the penultimate day, was a much more conceptual affair. Deconstruction and total reimagination of traditional shapes, cuts and silhouettes gave the show a fresh and exciting energy’.
R. White i-D magazine
The Alumni community continues as an ambassador for this success attracting international press and acclaim, wIth globally recognised alumni such as Maria Jahnkoy, shortlisted for the LVMH prize and making the Forbes ‘30 under 30’ as well as graduates featured in i-D, Dazed Digital, British Vogue, L’Officiel, Vogue Russia, Vogue Italia, ShowStudio, New York Times, Calvert Journal and The Guardian.
With BA Graduates gaining places at renowned Postgraduate MA Fashion Programmes at Royal College of Art, Central St. Martins, London College of Fashion, Parsons and Royal Academy of Arts Antwerp the impact and quality of the course can be felt globally.
Clare’s educational strategy is a symbol of vision and tenacity as she emerges as one of the most influential and powerful outliers within the post-soviet creative industries in Russia.
You can follow Clare’s BA Fashion Design course here and take a closer look at the work of Clare’s students here.
