Isobel Rimmer

“Designing is my way of writing a book”

What made you chose this path?

I have always enjoyed sports as a child and growing up, and I studied textile design at college A level. Then I went to do a foundation year because I was unsure what I wanted to do. I really liked the Idea of designing for a purpose not just because it looks good but because it actually function as well. I really liked the idea that actually being able to use my garment, so I took a bit of my passion for sport and designing and combined them two.

You have mentioned that you design for the purpose, what do you mean by that?

With sportswear you have to make sure that it functions for the sport it is designed for. For example if your clothing is designed for running you have to make sure that fabrics have UV protection, keep you cool, don’t block skin from breathing. Or if we look at more extreme sports like skiing, you have to make sure it keeps you warm and don’t affect the performance.

What fabrics you tend to use?

For my collection I was sponsored by the company “EUROJERSEY”, so I got all my lycra from them. I looked at four way stretch lycra, that is one of the main things. Also I use Polatec fabrics.

Where do you draw your inspiration from, what inspires you to create?

Inspiration starts for me if I come across a problem myself. Inspiration for my collection came from the problem I faced interning in London for the summer. I didn’t have outfits that I felt that looked good enough in my office and also would let me go running straight after without having to take out much stuff with me, so it’s started by looking at solving a problem that I had and then fit finding the solution to it.

Do you have your favorite place to be with yourself, where you boost your creativity?

Definitely, I love to run. Like that is my thing. Running is my time to myself and my time to think, I like to run to Pendennis point and I went up and sit up there, if I need like a moment all you can see is the ocean.

What designers, brands inspire you?

I appreciate Kate’s Hudsons ethics and her example of lifestyle. Livia Firth she is not a designer but a campaigner for Eco Fashion and I am a representative at the moment for Falmouth Fashion revolution so rather a designers or brands but women like her are the ones that inspire me.