Top print designer leads a workshop with the University of Bolton fashion students

Students from the BA Textiles and Surface Design course have been lucky enough to take part in a workshop with one of the top print designers in the industry.

Davinder Madaher, a Print designer, Consultant, and Lecturer with over 25 years of design experience in both Fashion and Homeware, joined first-year students for both an online and on-campus session, where he shared his techniques and approaches to painting florals; using a range of processes, including ink washes, masking and painting directly by hand.

The aim of the workshop was for students to use these skills to explore upcom, ng print trends alongside Davinder, including around the topic 'euphoric' which, according to the fashion industry, is the theme for Spring/Summer 2021.

Students then spent the session working on a range of brightly coloured floral patterns for garment shapes, as well as a series of flat patterns which are now exhibited in the Atrium gallery studio window. A series of these studies will also be transformed into digitally-printed fabrics later on in the semester.

During the day, Davinder was on hand to feedback and judge fabric print designs produced by the cohort, with Olive Youmbi standing out for her impact of colour, mix of patterns and adventurous use of scale; she was awarded a bespoke embroidery kit from We Are Madaher for her efforts. Gail Gardner won second prize and was handed a designer tote bag, while Chloe Clarke came in third and received a beautiful Madaher notebook.

Talking about the day, Davinder said: "Despite the social distance, which may be the new norm...there are still many ways we can teach students and embrace this 'new' norm for now. I was impressed by how the students just got on with it. It didn't hold them back in their work."

Davinder's illustrious textile and homeware career has spanned work with brands such as The Gap, Guess and Victoria's Secret, as well as UK retailers Sainsbury's and Asda. It has taken him all over the globe, including to New York, so it was an honour to have him share his wisdom and experience with our students.

Find out more about BA Textiles and Surface Design at the University of Bolton.