Fashion design may have a reputation for being an avant garde, cutting edge, modern industry, but in order for an industry to stand the test of time, it must come from a solid foundation. The craftsmanship and skills that were first used in the embellishment of clothing are the very genesis of fashion design. The origin of clothing was purely for functionality and safety, but as we evolved and our fascination with aesthetics grew, so too did the design and creativity of clothes. And many of the original crafts that first inspired the fashion industry, are still in use today.
Thais Aykroyd was first inspired by fashion and textiles from watching both grandmothers in Brazil as they sewed, knitted, embroidered and macramé’d for the family. Observing craftspeople as they work is often a fascinating and inspiring experience and has clearly had a lasting impact on Thais. Traditional methods of garment construction is an inadvertent exercise in sustainability. Nothing goes to waste because when these crafts were born, waste was not an option. Through her personal beliefs and principles, or perhaps by osmosis from watching her grandmothers, Thais also embraces a circular approach to design.
“I learned most of those skills since I was a child and even had a macrame jewellery business for a few years. However, I only sewed my first piece when I was around 20 years old. It was a backpack made from a pair of my sister’s jeans (sustainability and upcycling were always an important part of my creative practice).”
She went on to earn a degree in Biology in Brazil, which at first may appear to be in conflict with the world of fashion, but for Thais, her biology education informs and enriches her dedication to sustainability and working with natural fibres.
It was 2015 when Thais first moved to Dublin and in 2021, she set up home in Galway. She found work and settled in but was always thinking of ways to pursue design. Even as a child, Thais would find herself frustrated with the options available in clothing stores and would take it upon herself to create her own garments. This type of urge to just do it yourself, is an innate trait that rarely leaves a person.
“I chose the Academy because it was a part time course that would get me qualified to enter the fashion industry. Between the choice of studying from home and attending in person classes I chose the latter as I knew that would be the way to get the most out of the classes. The fact that I had been teaching myself through YouTube tutorials made me realise I would benefit from in-person guidance from teachers to further develop my skills. I also spoke with a few alumni to gain their feedback on the course.”
As Thais progresses through her course, she is expanding on her own ambitions and opening up to the possibility of new paths in fashion. Assignment work and classroom feedback and camaraderie have presented Thais with some profound life lessons. Different themes and topics are explored on the fashion learning journey and Thais has found growth in unexpected places.
“Throughout the years, especially through the effort I had to put into the assignment work and also my personal growth journey as an adult woman, I started forming my real identity, without the need of masks and personas.”
Through this path of personal growth, Thais gained the confidence to pursue an internship, which has been a major growth period for her, both as a person and as a designer. With a love for the personalised tailoring of an Atelier, she intends to eventually launch her own brand, but first, professional experience.
“The switch was from bold colours and boxy silhouettes to more neutral colours and more traditionally feminine silhouettes. I can say that I went from one extreme to the other. Parallel to that, I started working in the Capsule collection for Assignments 20 to 23.”
And the design evolution continues. Thais is continuing to experiment and discover new avenues of her own journey and her design identity. Her choice of colour is an expression of her innermost self and everything she is learning along the way.
“I chose to give this collection a name, “Rescue” was about being taken from that place of self-affirmation and creating from a place rooted in my own identity.”
With growth comes a sense of self-assurance. Thais is currently finding balance in her approach to colour, and a designer can only truly find their maturity having first spread their wings and stepped out of their comfort zone.
“The feedback I’ve been getting from both the tutors and also the people around me confirms that I am on the right path and gives me confidence that my brand is being built brick by brick with every step I take both professionally and personally.”
With a goal to “bring beauty into this world, with quality materials and finishes, a sustainable approach and always striving for excellence,” Thais is certainly on the right path. And as she continues to grow and experiment, we can all watch this space for an exciting new brand that will inevitably emerge.
