"The course was so inspiring that finally I was sufficiently confident to create my first ole turn"

Ella Barker.

My name is Ella Barker, and I am 55 years old. I am a British citizen but have Romanian origins. My mum was a seamstress and from the age of 6-7 years I started to learn the secret of sewing from her: 1 always loved sewing as a hobby, but at university 1 studied Project management and worked in Romania for ING bank At the same time I was the lead singer in the band singing in The Diplomatic Club until 2008 when I left my country to follow my husband who is a British citizen working in the diplomatic service in Eastern Europe.

While living in different countries I was a very active member of the International Women's Association, starting music classes and craft groups. In Armenia I was President of the Association and I did a lot of social work for the people who come from disadvantaged backgrounds.

In 2016 we came back to the UK where my husband started his vocational work as a priest in the Church of England in a little village close to Brighton.

There was not much for me to do so I started a craft group for the church, and I started to train myself as a seamstress.

I studied for one year sewing techniques at the University of Arts in London.

I loved the course and continued with short courses in pattern cutting and Bridal wear: I became more confident after each course, and this year decided to subscribe for a short course at Central Saint Martin in fashion design.

The course was so inspiring that finally I was sufficiently confident to create my first ole turn. The idea behind my collection is interchangeable!

I worked behind the scenes for London Fashion Week in Autumn 2023 and Spring 2024 and I observed very attentively what it was happening behind the scene and I learned how to prepare my own fashion show!

Ella Barker

www.ellabdesigns.co.uk

Instagram ellabdesignsuk - https://www.instagram.com/ellabdesignsuk/