Making a FASHION STATEMENT

Caversham artist Jessy Blakemore has raised more than £1,500 for local causes selling political fashion. We caught up with her about her creations and the meaning behind them

- Sarah Rodi

“Don’t accept criticism from people you wouldn’t take advice from.” This is the sentiment of 20-year old philosophy student Jessy Blakemore, from Caversham. Now in her third year of studying at the University of York, Jessy moved back to her family home in Reading during lock down, and decided to use this time and her artistic talents to raise awareness about things that need to change in society.

“I loved sitting by the river earlier in the year; Christchurch Meadows and Caversham Court Gardens are lovely,” Jessy says.

“But lockdown was also a great chance to be creative. I love to sing, write songs and play the guitar, and I also draw and paint. Having the opportunity to work on writing and recording music has been so valuable. I realise I’m so lucky with my circumstances because so many people haven’t had the same privileges as I have, such as having a roof over their heads and a full fridge!”

This got Jessy thinking. She wanted to make political statements about vulnerable individuals in society, racism and an underfunded health system in the UK, so she began hand painting acrylic Basquiat-inspired art onto T-shirts and corsets.

“I’ve been obsessed with art and drawing since I was very young. I used to make clothes for my Bratz and Barbie dolls from all sorts of random materials, like gloves and socks and old pieces of fabric. I discovered Basquiat’s art when I was 16 and have been fascinated by it ever since,” she says.