A TALENTED designer has won a personal battle against a lifelong learning disability after securing a place at one of the UK’s most prestigious colleges.
Cleveland College of Art & Design graduate Thomas Walker has been accepted to The London College of Fashion, which boasts celebrity designers Jimmy Choo and Patrick Cox among its famous alumni.
Thomas, aged 20, whose struggle with severe dyslexia saw him leave school without any qualifications, is now to study menswear technology and design at the top London college.
“I never ever thought that this would happen for me,” said Thomas, of Middlesbrough, who is one of triplets.
“I thought I would struggle just to complete the course, so to realise how far I’ve come and where it has led to is just a dream come true.
“But I know that if it wasn’t for the outstanding help and expertise of my tutors at CCAD I would never have been able to express myself the way I have or achieve so much.”
Thomas, who was also shortlisted for the principal’s award at CCAD’s summer show for his aquatic evolution menswear designs, found it hard to fit in at school when he was younger.
“School was not great,” he said. “It didn’t cater for my dyslexic needs and I started to fall behind.
“My best friend at the time also tragically died which put me in a downward spiral and I started to rebel.”
Leaving school without the minimum level of qualifications meant Thomas found it hard to find a college to accept him.
“I knew I wanted to do something art-related, it was the only thing I felt I was good at, so I came to CCAD to see if there was anything they could help me with,” said Thomas.
“I met with a tutor and told them that I would do anything to be able to come to the college so they managed to find me a place on an art course.”
Excelling in his work within the first few months Thomas decided he needed to do something more challenging and graduated to a level three BTEC Extended Diploma in Fashion and Textiles where his talents began to shine.
“I found it difficult at first,” said Thomas. “But fashion was something I knew I could be passionate about and I wanted to be able to incorporate my artwork into men’s clothing designs.”
Thomas is one of five students from this year’s CCAD Extended Diploma in Fashion and Textiles to be accepted to the London College of Fashion.
CCAD tutor Stephen White said: “Once again we have shown that CCAD students have what it takes to secure places on some of the best fashion courses in the world.
“I have been blown away by Thomas’s talent and his artistic interpretations of design within the field of menswear. He is definitely one to watch for the future.”
For more information on opportunities at CCAD contact (01642) 288888 or log on to www.ccad.ac.uk.