AN avant-garde designer with a fetish for fashion is hoping that one of the world’s biggest superstars will go gaga over his latest creations.
Cleveland College of Art & Design textile and surface design graduate Gavin Vaughan is waiting for a reply from poker faced icon Lady Gaga after tweeting the music diva with images of his bespoke facemasks.
Inspired by fetish wear, the costume masks, created using beetle wings, Swarovski crystals and thousands of tiny hand sewn glass beads, were designed specifically with the outlandish star in mind.
“Lade Gaga is renowned for her extravagant costume style and edgy fashion and I think my designs are definitely something that she would wear both on stage and off,” said Gavin, 23, of Hartlepool.
“It would be incredible if I was to hear back from her, but then I always love it when anyone says that they appreciate my work.”
Gavin’s masks and laser leather cut collars have already attracted the attention of Vogue stylist Victoria Jane and fashion photographer Ian McManus, who have asked to use his designs in a photo-shoot for this year’s British Hairdressing Awards.
“It’s great that my masks are getting so much attention and I have had some requests to sell them online,” said Gavin.
“But what I really want to do is make one-off, bespoke, high fashion commissions for couture designers or design for the high class adult market like Coco-de-Mer.”
Gavin is one of a number of successful graduates from the North East’s only specialist art college who are currently making a name for themselves in a diverse range of careers within the creative industries.
As well as being in talks with London design shop Unexpected Fashion, about collaborative work with their store, he will also be flying out to Miami in the New Year to undertake a training course for an art auctioneer associate aboard a Caribbean cruise liner.
“I’d heard about the job through a photographer friend and thought I’d apply,” said Gavin.
“I had two interviews on Skype and was supposed to go out to Miami in November this year but I’m still trying to save up for my air fare so it’s been put back until January.
“Having a regular job will not only help fund my design work but it would also be a great opportunity to see the world and help me to save for my master’s degree in textiles at the same time.”
CCAD tutor and professional designer Claire Baker added: “Gavin has always been a creative thinker but was never quite sure of his place within the industry.
“Many of our students go into work designing for fashion houses or interior design studios but Gavin always wanted to do something a bit different.
“Through his social networking skills he has made a number of opportunities for himself where his skills and ideas can be recognised in some very exciting ways.”
For more information on opportunities at CCAD contact (01642) 288888 or log on to www.ccad.ac.uk.
