A Northampton College fashion student has paid tribute to the heroes of the NHS by designing an outfit based on the history of nursing.
Flo Baverstock, aged 18, has created the piece as part of her Final Major Project (FMP) and is currently putting together the finishing touches at the family home in Wales, where she is also helping to home school her younger brother, aged 10 and her 11-year-old foster cousin, while her parents, who are both nurses, help out in the fight against coronavirus.
The dress explores the concept of layers' ' mirroring the people and the personalities behind the uniform.
She said: I've always been interested in the history of nursing and because of my own experience with the profession I've been able to see the different layers nurses have in their personalities. I'm always amazed at how they can just switch it on and instantly go into nurse mode'.
My project explores this layering and celebrates the work our nurses do every day. It's never been more apparent than in the current situation and hopefully my design does justice to their incredible dedication.
The second year Level 3 Art & Design (Fashion) student has designed and made a layered garment featuring a tight-fitting vest designed to look like badging, a pink scrub-like top and small capelet' based on those worn by the original NHS staff when it was first formed.
She said: Working remotely has been really interesting and thankfully the teachers at college have been really supportive. They are there whenever you need them, replying to emails within seconds.
They are giving us tutorials every day on Instagram, setting work on Google Classroom and sending us all messages to keep us motivated which is brilliant. It's been a weird few weeks for everyone but I'm enjoying the challenge.
The switch to remote teaching has seen Northampton College staff explore new technologies to ensure students are able to continue their learning, with sessions delivered using YouTube tutorials, Microsoft Teams video conferencing, Instagram Live, Google Classroom and TikTok.
Fashion teacher Rachel Maughan said: I have set up an Instagram account and I am recording techniques I am demonstrating, both as short films or step-by-step processes for the students to follow. We're having face-to-face meetings through video calls and asking students to upload their work onto Google Classroom.
It's working really well. I am getting enjoyment and satisfaction out of the creative process and the students are learning new techniques.
Some of our second year students have set up home studio environments, creating garments, printing and embellishing fabrics. They have stuck to their initial FMP plans, and in some cases are a week and a half ahead of schedule because they are able to be so focused on their work.
