Sophie Hawkins

Hello there, here's a little about me and my background and how i'd love to teach you:

Since graduating from Falmouth's very industry-focused Fashion degree in 2011, I've spent the past 15 years fully immersed in the commercial world of sustainable design, making, and communication.

I bring extensive and current experience in the creative industries of sustainable fashion design, production, storytelling, workshop hosting, and costume provisions for film, TV, red carpet and the music industry. It is with this knowledge, that I’ve built my own company and label from London all the way to Osaka. Single-handedly, I've designed the brand, product, and built the supply chain in Japan.
Very proud of this work, I am moving on from clothing-business ownership, hoping to become an integral part of a team and teach the next generation of creatives, entrepreneurs and designers. My skills and experience belongs in helping to foster creativity, innovative design and sustainable business for our future creatives.

Over the past decade, my brand became a platform to teach workshops in pattern cutting, sewing, natural dyeing, and repair while also creating organic clothing, manufactured locally in Japan.
Through the medium of sustainable fashion and brand creation, I've had the chance to coach students one-to-one and in group settings, both in person and online, and have spoken and taught internationally in Hong Kong and Japan.

Creative direction, tone of voice, and International brand messaging through both visual platforms and the written word; comes very naturally to me, from daily practice with my own brand, consulting for others, and from experience gained through my global marketing role for Clarks Originals.

Teaching is a passion of mine, where I truly get so much out of igniting inspiration in others and guiding people of all ages and walks of life with my commercial-practical know-how.
Some workshops I've designed and conducted include: Mend the World for Eco-Visionaries at the Royal Academy of Arts; panel speaking about my denim brand for Transformers Ed in Hong Kong, teaching the 'Upcycled Tent Dress' sewing workshops at Oxfam - Glastonbury Festival, headhunted to join the circular fashion think tank with the Ellen MacArthur Foundation, while being actively involved with Fashion Revolution UK for over five years by running workshops annually in London too.

Last Summer, I taught at a summer school at Kingston University for 14-19-year-olds and there; I planned and delivered all my classes, marked work, gave individual feedback, and supported students to collaborate and bring their ideas to life. A real strength of mine is being student-centred, I really enjoy the challenge of differentiating lesson plans to ensure all learners' needs are met.

Thanks to so much experience as a free-lance creative, I understand UAL qualifications well and really believe in them. There are many freelance and employed pathways I'd like to introduce to students, along with all the essential real-world skills needed to succeed.

I'm highly competent with Adobe Photoshop and Illustrator, which I use all the time for CAD drawings, poster creation and pitch presentations in my work today.

Outside of work, I love life drawing, sketching, art gallery visits and film photography. I'm passionate about cinema and have always been a dancer too. Recently, I've enjoyed working at Kiln in Bristol, teaching people how to paint pottery, and also exhibiting my work at the Easton Art Trail - I love looking for ways like this to foster connection within my local creative community.

Hoping to teach you some day soon!
Sophie