Miriam Keegan: fashion design and sustainability

We caught up with Higher National Certificate graduate Miriam Keegan to find out about her interest in fashion design and sustainability, about her career and the Fulbright-EPA Student Award 2021, and her plans for the future.

Miriam Keegan lives in Laois and works full time as a primary school teacher. "I am very hard working as I'm currently working my full-time job alongside running a business and doing this course."

The fashion design graduate explained that she was teaching the fifth class in a different school and knew she had a calling towards fashion. "I have always wanted to study fashion design, ever since I was a young girl. I took the plunge and took this course, and I met amazing friends and tutors as a result of it."

Image courtesy: Miriam Keegan

Pursuing her interest in Fashion Design

Miriam shared that she had zero experience in the fashion industry. However, she had always loved sewing. "My mother taught me how to sew, and I watched my grandmother sew when I visited her. My great grandmother used to make Irish lace too; it's in my blood, I think. I wanted to learn the real fashion design techniques and follow in all their footsteps in some way."

The HNC graduate explained she was looking for a general course in fashion design, not just dressmaking, but also that offered flexibility and hands-on experience. "I couldn't believe how much fashion design was covered in this course. I loved how I had the option of attending classes along with home-based assignments. The course is very affordable too, which was very important to me."

Image courtesy: Miriam Keegan

Organizing her study time

"I did not want to be too pressured like I was during my undergraduate degree, but I wanted to take my time with the course and assignments. I wanted something hands-on, too, as I work best when I am making and creating. So having the classes every two weeks was very exciting, and I didn't feel like a burden in any way", Miriam explained.

The Fashion Design Academy of Ireland graduate is also running a business, working full time, and enjoying life while taking the course. "I work best in blocks, so I've used many mid-term breaks to get a couple of assignments done here, and that is why I love this course; it gives me a lot of freedom to complete it at my own pace."

Miriam explained she was always in contact with her tutor, "who was super helpful with any questions I had, especially during lockdown. I have been improving every day since as a result, so I'm very pleased. I feel very confident with my pattern drafting now. It was something I had no clue about before this course."

Miriam's fashion design career

"I have been very fortunate to meet incredible designers and tailors in my short fashion career thus far. Last summer, I started learning hand-finishing from Saville Row Master Tailor and Gold Shears winner Rory Duffy. I am now learning how to create a tailored coat and trouser."

Miriam was recently a guest speaker at San Francisco Sustainable Fashion Week International and has spoken at many workshops and seminars over the past year.

She told us that, during lockdown, she made over 750 masks and raised above €750 for Labour Behind the Label and the Clean Clothes Campaign. "It was great to give back, and it also brought comfort, helping people stay safe during the last year. I was even commissioned to make bespoke masks for a wedding, which was pretty cool."

Image courtesy: Miriam Keegan

Fulbright-EPA Student Award 2021

Even though she has worked with multiple designers and worked in different areas of the industry, one of her most significant achievements was being awarded the Fulbright-EPA Student Award 2021. "I was very humbled I could achieve such an award."

"I will be travelling to the University of Delaware to complete a Masters in Fashion and Apparel Studies, focusing primarily on sustainability within the fashion industry. This prestigious award was a wonderful surprise and was due to my efforts of promoting sustainability within the fashion industry, as well as providing education in the Irish primary school system around Education for Sustainable Development, Fast Fashion, and bringing sewing back into the classroom."

Miriam said she is looking forward to bringing back her findings on social responsibility, supply chain management, and responsible garment production. "I truly believe that sewing and teaching people how to sew and mend their clothes can make huge impacts on our climate crisis. I am excited to dive deeper into the study of sustainability in the fashion industry."

Workshops on sustainability, fashion and sewing

"I wanted to bridge the gap between the fashion industry, sustainability, and the education system."

The Department of Education approved Miriam to provide online Education for Sustainable Development Using Fabric & Fibre courses and workshops to teachers. "This is for educators who want to learn about sustainability, understand how damaging the fast fashion industry is, and learn how to implement Education for Sustainable Development into the classroom through the Visual Art strand of Fabric and Fibre."

In 2020, she completed an entire year of buying no clothes and reduced her carbon footprint by approximately 300kg. "I created the movement 'No Clothes Commitment Challenge', inviting everyone to give up buying any clothes for one whole year and see what difference they could make to themselves and their consumption habits, their pockets, and also the environment. This movement is for everyone, and you can sign up at any stage of the year."

Miriam runs an Instagram page focused on sustainable fashion; you can follow her here.

Image courtesy: Miriam Keegan.

"Sustainability must be at the core of your design approach."

The fashion design graduate believes that sustainability is the most important 'trend' in the fashion industry, and it's here to stay. "I believe that to become a fashion designer in today's world, and sustainability must be at the core of your design approach and ethos of your brand. It cannot be an added design feature anymore."

With greenwashing so prevalent now amongst fashion brands, Miriam believes that consumers will expect more transparency of brands in the future. "For those who are not aware of the damages of the fashion industry, education is the key. I hope governments create laws around greenwashing and sustainable supply chain management."

Miriam's advice to someone considering a career in Fashion Design

"Enjoy the process. Fashion design is not always about the end product. Focus on one area that you excel in, and do not let imposter syndrome overpower you. You have every ability to achieve great success."

"I would recommend this course to anyone who is thinking about going into fashion design but is hesitant about committing to an entire degree towards it. Fashion design is constantly changing, so getting the basics covered, like from this course, is a great way to find where your talents lie within fashion design," Miriam shared.

Image courtesy: Miriam Keegan

Inspired by Miriam's story and looking to pursue your passion and interest in fashion design? Here's the list of our courses that will help you succeed in this exciting field.

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