PERSONAL INFLUENCES

In 1987 I attended a sewing-course at The School of Arts and Craft / Fagskolen in Odense, which gave me a basic introduction to pattern making and sewing.

Years later in 1996 I was living in Copenhagen, when a new Formal Education was launched in my home town, Odense. The College of Arts and Crafts had added a new department, specializing in couture. I decided to focus on one thing from then on and applied, was accepted and moved back.

The three years I spent there specializing in couture, costume. . .  encouraged by passionate teachers, gave me confidence to start my own business.

A business offering Couture, Custom made and Bridal, where every single step, from appointments, measurements, design, pattern making, fittings to executing the dresses always have been handled by me, to secure the satisfaction of  my customers. For my full resume, take a look at the top-menu.

The Teachers: Karin-Lisse, Gitte and Elise.

Unfortunatly the Government at that time decided that, there were too many creative Institutions in Denmark and closed most of the Colleges down some years later.

Readers, do you know the Teachers ? Share your experience, thoughts and memories if you have any. Have a nice day out there.

THE GOOD CRAFTSMANSHIP

By Susse Thorseng Lærche

 

The Craftmanship is indeed needed and not only the Craft of clothing, but it´s crucial that the whole range of old crafts is taken seriously and raised to a research level. It is first then, when we completely master a technique and a craft concretely, we can challenge and expand it and create something new.

I think, that the process of creating is at risk and maybe the only possibility to save the craft in the future, is to make it academic, so that the Industry, the Business sector and the Ministry of teaching will see the crafts justification.

Through the last 22 years, I have been working with the Craft of clothing and I am now working to pass on "the good craft" - "work by hand". 
With my background as a Craftsman of clothes, Independent tailor and a Teacher in clothingdesign at Odense Fagskole / Vocational School, I have in cooperation with the Principal of Odense Fagskole - Karen Maigaard, The Royal Theater, I.W. Hvidberg and the Association of Tailors, developed "Master Class - with the focus on craft, quality and fashion", for those who master the craft, to create a basis for passing on knowledge.

Through my work with passing on knowledge of the craft, I have realized that possibilities and wishes for passing on the craft is very poor. 
It is a paradox; if Denmark wants to create recognition through Danish Design, that the quality of "The good Craft" is not going along.

I would like to research and find the right method or model for how the process of creating by hand/ the good craft can be emphasized on the same level as the creating process in design and get it back into usage and education.