Eileen Simpson

Born in Leeds on January 1929, Eileen is our longest serving member of the Bramhall Arts Society at 96 years old. 

 

Growing up in Wakefield, art has always been an important part of her life.  At the age of 11, Eileen won a scholarship to the Grammar School, which was located across the road from the Wakefield Art Gallery.  At the age of 16, she had passed her School Certificate, achieving a 'Distinction in Art'.  This enabled her to apply to Wakefield County Council for a scholarship to a College of Art.  Eileen had to attend an interview requiring her to produce a portfolio of her artwork and present it to a panel of gentlemen at the County Hall.  She remembers this as a terrifying experience, but she was successful and was awarded her Scholarship.

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As an  aside:-

Babara Hepworth went to the same Grammar School as Eileen in Wakefield, and later the same College of Art in Leeds.

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 WW2 was over, but many tutors did not return, as there was a lack of staff at Wakefield,  Eileen was transferred to Leeds College of Art to complete her Diploma.  Graduating at the age of 21, the Diploma at this time had the same standing as the current BA, which it preceeded.  Art Colleges eventually became integrated into Universities.

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Eileen had chosen to study Dress Design at Leeds, as well as many other subjects necessary for this Diploma, however, she seized the opportunity to attend the Technical College nearby, to gain access to Managerial Training and the practical work of Pattern Cutting, Tailoring and the use of the many modern sewing machines being introduced to Manufacturers in Tailoring at that time.

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It was one of the course managers at the Technical College who introduced Eileen to the Managing Directors responsible for a Clothing Business within the 'Smith & Nephew Group'.  Eileen became possibly the only lady graduate of an Art College, to be offered a position as Dress Designer with 'Smith & Nephew'.  A prestigious position, which enabled Eileen to travel to Paris, meeting many male collegues from other important companies such as Courtaulds.

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