Student's design to hit Linen House shelves

Ms Byrnes, a 2014 graduate of the Bachelor of Arts (Textile Design) program, has seen her work produced and sold by the linen and textiles brand.

The industry partnership between RMIT and Linen House offers second year Textile Design students their first opportunity to work on a commercial project, with the potential to see the winning designs go into production.

With guidance from Linen House designer mentors and RMIT lecturers, students are able to develop their own style and design handwriting, colour management skills and production specification knowledge.

Verity Prideaux, Textile Design lecturer, said the program’s strong and valued relationships with industry partners have been very fruitful for RMIT students.

“We work closely with our industry partners to ensure that graduates have relevant skills when entering the workforce,” Ms Prideaux said.

“The Linen House project is a great introduction to working as a textile designer within the commercial studio environment.”

Dr Patrick Snelling, Textile Design Program Coordinator, said the Industry Partnership Awards have provided fantastic opportunities for RMIT students since they started more than eight years ago.

“Our industry partnerships have facilitated graduate employment, work integrated learning, and the production of student textile design work – which is often taken through to the commercial marketplace,” he said.

Ms Byrnes’ collection, titled Rambler, was inspired by 19th century Australian Impressionist artwork and includes a palette of sun-kissed pastels combined with rich earthy undertones.

Her project began with a considered palette and a desire to tell a story, allowing her to create freely and experiment with mark-making, film painting, texture and composition.

Based on Australian native flora, textures and her favourite bird, the galah, Ms Byrnes’ collection encapsulates themes of the earth and of reconnecting with nature.

“I would describe my creative process as well planned spontaneity, inspired by capturing the essence and spirit of the theme rather than its literal interpretation,” she said.

Presenting a meticulous dedication to the design process, Ms Byrnes painted her own film, prepared five screen separations, and printed with acid dye on silk linen in order to create her ideal final outcome for the client.

“What drove me most was that I wanted to make a nice piece of fabric to make into cushions for my Mum, which she ended up getting in the end!” she said.

Associate Professor Robyn Healy, Head of the School of Fashion and Textiles said RMIT's textile design students continued to impress industry partners by constantly producing a high standard of original work.

"Our students fully investigate unique and creative solutions to the design challenges they are presented with,” she said.

“They blend the creative and commercial applications well, which is why we are seeing our textile design graduates creating successful careers in both the local and overseas markets.”

RMIT’s School of Fashion and Textiles is a leading provider of fashion and textiles education, training and research.