21 May 2007

Hair today, Istanbul tomorrow for Dundee Student

Claire Millar is used to travelling the world as a hair model but now it is her design talent that will see her visiting foreign shores.

The 21-year-old textile designer, from the University of Dundee, is set to take up a placement in Istanbul when she finishes her course at Duncan of Jordanstone Art College in ten days time.

The placement will last three months, before Claire returns to the UK to work at London Fashion Week. For her degree show display, Claire will show her futuristic display of uniforms that people may be subjected to wearing in twenty years time. The plain grey smocks have a secret twist, however. They hide panels of bright colours which can be revealed to show the subversive side that some people have.

"I like the idea that some people will always rebel against the norm, however strictly it is enforced. In the future, these dresses would be totally typical looking to anyone on the street, but when the wearer feels like rebelling they simply unbutton a panel and their adventurous side is on show."

"I never set out to be a model. I was visiting my boyfriend in London and was spotted in Top Shop in Oxford Street. I have been to Japan, Germany, America with Vidal Sassoon, all because of my hair."

Vidal Sassoon are also fans of Claire’s designs and have used her jumpers on models for advertising campaigns.

Claire says, "The modelling is great fun but I can’t wait to go to Turkey and start my placement."

Dundee Degree Show
19 - 26 May 2007
Duncan of Jordanstone College of Art & Design, University of Dundee, 13 Perth Road
T 01382 345330 E exhibitions@dundee.ac.uk
www.exhibitions.dundee.ac.uk

For media enquiries contact:
Anna Day
Press Office
University of Dundee
Nethergate Dundee, DD1 4HN
TEL: 01382 384768
E-MAIL: a.c.day@dundee.ac.uk