When I was in Montreal screening my documentary, I met a sincere and creative group of young people who spent their weekends in pattern cutting workshops - and it was in talking to them that I first heard about my guest Julian Roberts. These pattern makers at Lignes de Fuite were experimenting with the possibilities of something called Subtraction Cutting - and they told me all about the inventor of this method, Juilian Roberts.

Julian is a UK fashion designer with 23 years experience as an academic in graduate fashion and textile design as well. He is currently Senior Lecturer at the University of Portsmouth.

As a designer, Julian showed 13 collections of his own under the label names Nothing Nothing as well as Julianand at London and Paris fashion weeks. The British Fashion Council gave him “The New Generation Award” five times! 

In 1998, Julian developed a method of garment cutting that has since become internationally recognized. He’s literally travelled the globe - taking lessons in Subtraction Cutting to 40 countries and counting! 

And by the way, he shares his work freely online as well - those people I met in Montreal were reading his work - and trying things out step by step.

Julian speaks here about funny memories of going to Paris fashion shows as a student, launching a brand and easing into a career that now encompasses teaching, travelling and creation.

When it comes to fashion students and young designers just starting out, Julian is not at all doom and gloom on the business of fashion. Based on the diversity of his own career, he shares an inspiring and quite comforting take on embarking on a life of design.

Julian can be found on Instagram @subtractioncutting. You will find links there to his "Free Cutting" videos and online resources. You might soon be picking up a pair of scissors yourself! Please be sure to send me any pictures of clothes you might make!

Thank you for listening to this podcast and do subscribe! To learn more about the overall Carton d'invitation documentary project, go to Instagram @cartondinvitation.