Levi’s print designer gives students exclusive talk on fashion industry
Students from BA (Hons) Fashion Media and BA (Hons) Fashion Graphics recently had the fantastic opportunity to receive a guest lecture from renowned menswear print designer for Levi’s, Kayleen DeJesus.
During the virtual talk live from San Francisco, Kayleen shared her journey of how she became a textile designer, working for brands including Old Navy, Revel Spirits Inc, ED by Ellen Degeneres and Century 21. Kayleen also talked through the role of a textile designer in practice, and how she comes up with the originality in her animal based designs, sharing that she looks to “her own pets and how they contort their bodies, watching Animal Planet, taking photos of local nature and reviewing other artists work and sculptures.”
Kayleen also shared her top tips for students trying to get into the industry, including being persistent, knowing your audience and adding your own inspiration, and not being afraid to show your own style in your designs.
Level 5 student Jose Jurado said of the experience: “This guest lecture was so inspiring. it is amazing what the course is doing for us in terms of the amazing people we get to hear from and network with. We have the opportunity to now do a live brief with Levi's which is so amazing.”
Level 4 student Tara Larkin said “Knowing that our course makes such an effort to put amazing speakers like Kayleen in front of us confirms I made the right choice coming to Solent. We have had some amazing speakers so far this year and Kayleen has been one of the most inspiring as she's done so much and is so respected in industry but she's so young.”
