This is the kind of thing I’m no good at: writing about myself. I’m Millie, Millicent depending on who you’re talking to, I'm 18 and I'm currently studying art and design at Chesterfield College.

Traditionally, the themes and motives behind my work are pretty unconventional and I feel that subconsciously this has always been the case. From an early age, I had always excelled in the creative subjects, even English when I was able to analyse literature and such. The themes of my own work have only recently been able to develop into how I work today due to being able to have freedom over my own projects. When doing my GCSE’s I studied Art and design, in which I received an A. However, art at GCSE, I felt was a little more strict as there were more guidelines to follow to achieve my A grade. It was at A-Level that I was fully in control of what I wanted to do with my work and this is where I feel I have most progressed. Being given only a starting point, gave me the freedom to do as I pleased with each project with which I was able to incorporate my own interests, therefore fully immersing myself. I studied both Art and Textiles at A-Level gaining an A in textiles and a B in Art. My personal favourite project was the last project that I have completed: the holocaust. It was my last textiles project in which I delved into war, Nazi and Jewish history to create a haunting, ghostly chandelier.

Artists and designers have influenced my work massively and doing both art and textiles has broadened my awareness of people in the industry. To date, I feel that Alexander McQueen has been the biggest influence for my work, not just in textiles but art too, due to his unearthly creations. Each garment has character and personality. I remember the first piece of McQueen’s work that I saw, was one that I instantly fell in love with, the red and black feather dress from the spring/summer collection 2001. A second designer that I feel has influenced my textiles most is Vivienne Westwood. Both designers are well known yet I feel that they are very influential and have some thought provoking ideas and themes. Tracy Emin is the artist that I feel has enabled me to portray what I do through art due to her shocking nature and honesty. I’m not a huge fan of ‘pretty’ or ‘clean’ art as I like art and installations to hold a meaning or back story and Emin’s work demonstrates this.