Continuing our series on People in the fashion industry in Scotland – meet Mal Burkinshaw.
Mal studied at undergraduate level at Edinburgh College of Art from 1993 to 1997, gaining a first class degree in fashion women’s wear. Following this he studied at MA level at The Royal College of Art. After graduation, Mal worked in Italy as designer for United Colours of Benetton, and then as a freelance designer. Returning to Edinburgh, he established the design label, MalandLeigh, in partnership with knitwear designer Leigh Bagley, specialising in fashion and interiors.
Mal’s role now: Programme Director for Fashion at Edinburgh College of Art.
1. If someone were to order you a drink from a bar, who would you like it to be, what is the drink and where would you be?
I would readily accept a drink with any past student from the fashion programme – I’m always fascinated to hear about what they are up to, what they have achieved, their secrets that I couldn’t know when they were on the course, how they have grown professionally and personally. It would be on the banks of Loch Tay, a whisky on a frosty day.
Loch Tay
2. Your favourite music track of the moment and why? Kate Boy-The Way We Are. It’s authentic pop.
3. If you were working late into the night and you could order food from anywhere in the world to be delivered to where you’re working, what would it be and why?
I would go with a Jaipuri curry, fresh from Jaipur of course – nothing else is as good.
4. You have been working full-time at the ECA developing the Fashion Programme from 2008, are there any stand-out moments that you are really proud of?
Developing diversity teaching with All Walks – this is when teaching became personally rewarding.
When students started winning major awards at GFW – I’m not an ‘awards’ fan per se but it really helped recognise the development of the programme.
Getting a promotion was a big achievement and recognition for my work.
Opening Beauty by Design after 3 years of planning and around 900 hours of hand sewing.
2011 was a big year- I lost a lot and gained a lot more.
It is a stand out moment every year in April when our students actually finish their collections after I have hounded them for a year about timekeeping, quality, modernity, standards. It is a sense of relief when they actually complete their work and always emotional an emotional experience.
5. If you were to work with a personality or VIP, who would you like it to be and why?
Everyone has a personality, nobody is a VIP in my eyes. I would make VIPs nurses, charity workers, policemen, paramedics, doctors – people who really make a difference and are rarely recognised. Too often designers/pop stars/actors are given more attention than they deserve – and then it ruins them. Everyone is obsessed with the ‘glamour’ of fashion – I find it embarrassing. If we are talking someone in the public eye, a talented person – I would choose Evelyn Glennie. We could produce sonic sound-waves of lace.
