The Ritual Year
TRY_Workshop
A series of seasonal seminars for the
maker, designer & thinker
NEXT Workshop:
MARK MAKING: 23rd April 2026
Join as we explore the art of meaningful creativity, through eight ‘season specific’ workshops:
March 2027: R&D Pt 1: Research
23 April: MARK MAKING: Drawing as Enquiry
11 June: R&D Pt 2: Design / Development
25 July: CRAFT Pt 1: Surfaces & Forms - OFF The Body
17 September: CRAFT Pt 2: The Architecture of Cutting- ON The Body
22 October: TIME: & Long Term Thinking
17th December: STORYTELLING: Folklore & Other Falsehood
21 January 2027: FOLIO: Presenting yourself
My Services:
Workshop’s
Lecture’s
Folio Prep
Mentoring
Blog/Chat: Community
Art Commissions
Gifts & Accessories
My Mission:
To promote and maintain the art of :
Slow Time
Long-term Thinking / Planning
‘Purposeful’ R&D
Research & Design
Reinstate Grand Narrative:
Storytelling
Promote Hand Craft
(old & new techniques)
Reframe the Artisan work as
‘Small Scale Resistance’
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R&D Pt 1: Research
Description:
This workshop offers an introduction to the creative process, emphasising research as a foundation for growth and storytelling. It guides participants in integrating both literal and interpretive referencing into their work, using anything from personal experiences to historical customs as catalysts for creation. The course focuses on incorporating key elements like detail, colour, texture, shape, and narrative to enrich aesthetic and philosophical depth.
Date: March 2027 TBD
Time: 6-9pm
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MARK MAKING Drawing as Enquiry
Description:
This workshop is where artists and makers begin to visualise and formulate their concepts externally, before committing to more laborious and expensive 3D outcomes.
The Workshop emphasises mark-making skills as the key to effective creative communication.
You'll explore illustration and develop your unique artistic voice through a diverse exploration of multimedia, drawing, and various mark-making techniques.
Date: April 23rd 2026
Time: 6-9pm
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R&D Pt 2: Design / Development
Description:
This workshop offers an introduction to the creative process, emphasising research as the bedrock for growth and learning. It highlights how a dimensional narrative can enrich your practice and unlock greater storytelling potential. The course explores how designers and artists draw inspiration from their surroundings, transforming anything into a catalyst for creation. You'll learn to integrate both physical (literal) and emotional (interpretive) referencing into your work, focusing on how detail, colour, texture, shape, and storytelling can be expertly incorporated to enhance aesthetic, philosophical, and narrative depth.
Date: 11th June 2026
Time: 6-9pm
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CRAFT Pt 1: Surface & Form - Off The Body
Description:
This workshop explores the exciting potential of blending traditional artisanal techniques with cutting-edge production advancements to elevate your creative practice. You'll learn to view craft as "information on and off the body," providing a fresh perspective to evaluate your process and acquire new skills from previously unexplored domains. The course focuses on repurposing your craft's primary outcome to stay relevant in a rapidly evolving world.
Date: 25th July 2026
Time: 6-9pm
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CRAFT Pt 2: The Architecture of Cutting - On The Body
Description:
This workshop explores the exciting potential of blending traditional artisanal techniques with cutting-edge production advancements to elevate your creative practice. You'll learn to view craft as "information on and off the body," providing a fresh perspective to evaluate your process and acquire new skills from previously unexplored domains. The course focuses on repurposing your craft's primary outcome to stay relevant in a rapidly evolving world.
Date: 17th September 2026
Time: 6-9pm
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TIME & Long Term Thinking
Description:
This course invites you to deepen your creative practice and establish sustainable planning systems. It emphasises integrating long-term perspective and purpose into your work, connecting it with broader historical and seasonal rhythms. The course encourages you to reconsider your creative process, setting the stage for growth and the development of a grand narrative for your work. You'll learn to schedule experimentation, embrace new practices, and develop an action plan for future projects.
Date: 22nd October 2026
Time: 6-9pm
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STORYTELLING Folklore & Other Falsehood
Description:
This course guides participants in narrative-based design, emphasising a return to powerful storytelling. By delving into historic, folkloric, and personal timelines, you'll cultivate depth and long-term thinking for your craft. The workshop explores how to build an intimate narrative foundation for visual and conceptual research.
The course highlights how seasonal traditions and 10,000 years of cultural history shape craft, empowering you to create meaningful, lasting creative narratives.
As Ian states, "The culture of consuming has changed. Instead of making products, craft stories.”
Date: 17th December 2026
Time: 6-9pm
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FOLIO: Presenting Yourself
Description:
Reflection is the key to understanding your own creative process. This session offers a one-to-one feedback and diagnostic of your broader portfolio of work to date. Understanding who you are as a Designer is to articulate your process accurately and present the work in the eye context.
During the session you'll be asked to present your folio of work for review.
Date: January 21st 2027
Time: 6-9pm
Mentoring
Services are fully bespoke to your personal needs:
* Folio Development for application / job
* Collection building* Brand ConsultationFirst Consultation Fee: £90To establish your needs and develop a personalised plan for future sessions (documented for you)£55 Per Hour thereafterFee can be paid on the day (before session commences) or previously by transfer on demand…Fee: £55 Per Hour
(Minimum 1Hr per booking)
The Offers the opportunity of Individual tuition and support of an industry professional.
From my London studio or via Zoom: you will be advised on methods to advance your design process from initial concept to the final product (folio) of a fully resolved collection line-up. We will cover diverse R&D (research & design) techniques, as you generate well-explored, creative and relevant design outcomes…
Now accepting applications for 2026/7
Former Mentee:"Working with Ian was a transformative experience that ultimately led to my acceptance into Central Saint Martins (MA) Through his guidance, I learnt how to organize my chaotic mind and translate my ideas into a cohesive portfolio that showcased my design potential. This involved refining my design process, identifying my strengths, and also developing a stronger sense of myself as a designer. This self-awareness proved crucial for both the portfolio and the interview.Ian's direct and honest approach, coupled with his humour, made our sessions both productive and enjoyable. He challenged me to stay true to my design values, helping me curate work that reflected my unique perspective. He was dedicated to understanding my design background and my goals, tailoring his advice to ensure it was truly relevant and provided the most beneficial support. Barbara Hornok: Central Saint Martins fashion MAFormer Mentee:‘Ian is a brilliant tutor / mentor! Not only does Ian possess a deep-seated knowledge of the fashion industry, he is incredibly experienced in his field and, most importantly, is a designer/practitioner himself with his own brand. Ian communicates and teaches in an inspirational and also entertaining way. He likes to challenge existing thinking constructively to try and get the best ideas and original concepts. He does not tolerate mediocrity and is very honest in his approach. I have learned a huge amount and benefited a great deal from Ian's teaching. I would have no reservations whatsoever in highly recommending him to any designer wishing to launch their own fashion brand or anyone who might need expert consultancy with any aspect regarding fashion design. Ian's refined aesthetic and understanding of the industry, coupled with his very positive and helpful approach will not fail to improve or enhance a design collection..’Gemma Streethesterbly.comJoin one of my Short Courses at the legendary CSM Granary Square, London
A have taught at Central St Martins for 25 Years
Subject: Research & Design, Cutting & make for Fashion
I have picked up a trick or two…
Have you ever wondered what a fashion designer actually does, whether it is the right career for you, or how designers come up with a fresh collection every season? This introductory course was specifically designed with the beginner in mind. It will guide you through the fashion design process. You will work from a set brief through an extensive research process to generate and develop ideas for
Venue: CSM Campus, Kings Cross, London
Tues - Friday: 7th - 10th Apr 2026
Tues Evening: 14th Apr - 2nd Jun 2026
Mon - Fri: 13th - 17th Jul 2026
2 Wks Mon - Fri: 2rh -0 14th Aug 2026
Introduction To CSM Fashion Design: Short Course
Building A Fashion Collection: Short Course
A collection can be any number of different garments, from a few exclusive pieces with different design elements to a large selection of varied styles. More important than the number of pieces is the point the collection is making a ‘fashion statement
Venue: CSM Campus, Kings Cross, London
Saturdays: 25th Apr - 5th Jun 2026
Mon - Fri: 20th - 24th July 2026
Mon - Fri: 17th - 21st Aug 2026
Our vision is to enable young people to work with leading global specialists to develop fine hand skills to inspire future careers.
Courses are free of charge to all successful applicants.
Pattern Making / Classic tailoring:
Age group: 16-18 Yrs
Have you ever wondered what goes into the cutting and making of high fashion garments? This course will guide you through the techniques used by designers to make inspiring 3D details in cloth. Exploring experimental pattern cutting methods popularised by the Japanese designers of the late 20th century, classic tailoring methods mastered by Savile Row London and haute couture stitching methods used by the Paris houses, you will design, cut and make a "toile 'sampler'.
Venue: Cockpit Arts, Bloomsbury, London
Monday -Friday: 26 - 30th October 2026
BIO
A graduated of Saint Martins and The Royal College of Art. A London-based artist and bespoke maker of mens accessories & fibre art hangings.A well-respected and inspiring teacher, Ian has taught fashion design at Saint Martins for over twenty years, while lectures internationally, setting up and delivering courses & Seminars in Paris, Mexico City, Buenos Aires, Bogotá, Riyadh and China to students and industry professionals.
PGCE Qualified
DBS Certified
