Nicola Miles

Nicola is currently researching for the final year of a full-time PhD with the working title of:

A REVOLUTION IN CHILDREN’S CLOTHES?

CRAFTING CHANGE: CLOTHKITS AND THE REVISIONING OF CHILDREN’S CLOTHES, THE LATE-1960s TO THE LATE-1990s

Having access to the private archives of the Clothkits founders for her research has enabled Nicola to conduct primary research that is entirely unique and original. Her research is based on archival research but also includes oral testimony in order to capture individual experiences of adults who as children wore Clothkits clothes, and adults that made and bought Clothkits for their children. Nicola has completed a book on the history of Clothkits to be published in 2023. 

Nicola has a degree in Textile Design focusing on print and has worked both as a freelance textile designer specialising in designs for children's clothes and as an illustrator. She previously completed a creative practice MA in Textiles at Brighton on the subject of unspoken issues affecting women.

During her research Nicola has curated a small Clothkits display in an unused shop window in Lewes the home of Clothkits, during lockdown. She has also made an animated film for adults and children on Clothkits and this was shown as part of the display. She is a member of two academic network projects focusing on children's clothes and creativity and has given presentations on Clothkits to both. Nicola has recently organised and curated a postgraduate exhibition in conjuction with the Centre for Design History at the university entitled Design Matters. This exhibition focuses on what design means and how design affects the interaction of people with objects and imagery. She has also taught on a level 5 postgraduate module a the Universtiy of Brighton focusing on fashion and dress and postmodernism.

Her interests include children's clothes from the 1960s to the present day, clothes as a creative educational tool, women designers, feminism, craft, folk art, home sewing and handmade clothes. She is eager to be involved with further exhibitions on subjects related to her research.