The Miu Shoe

These shoes + my collection = perfection. I need them!!!! Unfortunately they're a taaaad out of my price range!!! They're Miu Miu SS10 shoes from Net - a -Porter. The chunky heel and the sparrow print is screaming out 60s to me!

Bedtime Reading

I've partaken in some light bedtime reading lately. These are a few books that have either motivated me or inspired me, and are teaching me even more about the fashion industry.



'Fashion Makers Fashion Shapers' by Anne-Celine Jaeger is all about the philosophy and input behind the label. Their history and how they got where they are now! There are some very useful tips and lessons into making your own label!


Luella.

American Apparel.

"It's very easy to go outside of the boundaries you are trying to create for a label. It's much harder to keep one unified vision and have every style fall under that voice you've created...one voice...is what makes us successful" American Apparel


Rodarte.


Basics Fashion Design: Construction is what it says on the tin! A guide to construction - which I need, and is very helpful! It gives a guide on Flat drawings, altering patterns, rules hints and tips!

Info Gathering

Fashion Monitor - A fashion and Trend based website.

"Established in 1989, Fashion Monitor is the UK's leading source of industry information for media, PR and communications professionals working in fashion and beauty. "

They cover news about:

• brand and product launches and repositioning
• retail openings and expansion plans
• communication campaigns and celebrity endorsements
• PR agency account wins, launches and personnel appointments
• online and print media title launches, and editorial and commercial team changes
• stylists and photographers movements, and new agencies

Mintel-Market based research website.

"Mintel is an independent award-winning provider of world-leading market intelligence, delivering robust information, analysis and critical recommendations. Mintel's trusted portfolio of proprietary industry solutions and products has been supporting high profile clients in key sectors such as FMCG, financial services, media, retail, leisure and education for over 38 years.

Our ability to connect the dots means you receive more than just points on a chart or words on a page.We provide you with the Intelligence you need, in time to stay ahead of the market. The result? You will not only make informed decisions, but the right ones, at the right time."

Mintel is aimed at companies within media, retail and leisure industries to seek out intelligence on their competitors.

Companies House - A company research website

"The main functions of Companies House are to:

• incorporate and dissolve limited companies;
• examine and store company information delivered under the Companies Act and related legislation; and
• make this information available to the public.

Drapers Online - a Fashion and Business Website, focusing on businesses, companies and breaking news in fashion.

"Drapers is your key to the UK fashion business. Every week Drapers features the finest news, trends, catwalks, top fashion jobs, exclusive sales data and insightful viewpoints.

Drapers finds out what’s going on in the business and how it affects yours with the finest collection of news, views and interviews, as well as eight special trend forecasting editions."

A first look into who is doing what, and whats happening where.

These websites are all useful aids to help me get an insight into breaking fashion news as and when it happens! Not only that but information on companies and marketing which is useful for employment, as well as key fashion and trend knowledge which is Very useful for blogging, and trend researching. Companies house and Mintel are most useful for when setting up your own business, and seeking intelligence on competitors in your field. At the moment the websites i am more likely to use are Drapers online and Fashion Monitor.

You can also follow all websites on twitter. For news updates as and when they happen!

http://twitter.com/Fashion_Monitor

http://twitter.com/companies_house

http://twitter.com/mintelnews

http://twitter.com/Drapers

Fashion As a Forum

Continuing on from last week's Toile positivity I've had some very encouraging results back from Anthea today for the Fashion as a Forum: Design Aesthetics unit. I passed with a 76 (First) i'm relieved! Anthea said i had a real knack for writing and that she read it 4 times. She seemed very impressed! This means I can now progress onto year 3. For The unit I wrote about the Digital Schedule of Fashion Week and the introduction of fashion film which is taking over catwalk shows. It is a subject i'm very interested in!

I think some of the extra marks came from my Research file, which i did as a blog http://fashionasaforum.blogspot.com I thought seeing as my essay was film related I should be able to show the films I was talking about!




One of the films I discussed was Little Shilpa's AW10/11 who has been labelled the 'Phillip Treacy of India'. The video is eery, in an almost subliminal way, and as soon as i saw it i knew i had to write about it - and haven't forgotten the film since! Here is some of the conclusion from my essay:

'The revolution of a digital schedule is clearly approaching a wider audience of buyers and wholesalers. As London is innovatively paving the way for creativity in fashion film and digital streaming I predict the digital schedule will become a permanent fixture to the twice yearly event, also becoming more important to designers in Milan, New York and Paris.
Whilst Twitter and Facebook kept the world updated on the week, the daily updates attracted more viewers and website visits jumped by 30 per cent. Burberry's show streaming proved beneficial and advantageous to sales, whilst Hussein Chalayan depicted recurring issues to fashionable ears, sending out a serious message. The world of new media and technologies is expanding the fashion industry. Fashion films are correlating to collections indicating that film could replace the catwalk itself, as it is a more economical presentation of a collection. However, for now I imagine whilst there is still the prestige and excitement of attending shows in person, catwalks will continue. With digital streaming and fashion film becoming more dominant in Fashion Weeks to come. there will be a growth in accessibility to fashion insight, prosperous opportunities for the exhibition, promotion and the more widespread display of Fashion.' Amelia Kanaris

Toile Review. Take Two.

A very successful toile review for round two. All tutors were impressed with my presentation and illustrations, which I was very pleased with. They said the collection itself was very 'fresh' and that it was a massive improvement from the first time around! I'm so relieved. the long hours and sleepless nights paid off. Not that it stops there, oh no! Its all go go go now to perfect the toiles and make the finished collection. Living a designers life is definitely not as glamourous as it seems. However, very very rewarding. Just goes to show that upsetting criticism can be, the reaction it stirs within you really activates successful learning. (If you want it to of course). I'm now feeling very positive. Watch this space.

(images from the toile review. Some of the outfits got a bit mis-matched on the way due to swapping outfits on models etc. and the wind was strong!)




This year has been challenging so far. Stressful, and sometimes you just don't have a clue what you're doing or where you are going. Now i'm at a point where I am focused, I know what I'm doing, I'm organised and I know how i'm going to get there. I'm quite capable of managing my time and meeting all the deadlines I face. I've mastered the 'language of academia!' somewhat.. meaning I am quite confident in year 3 and acheiving my personal goals and targets. Every day its put into practice, and this is how i learn best, trial and error - and if its not my error I'll know not to trial it. I'm a visual learner and i like to understand something to learn it, not just do something and forget it.

CV

This is a Jpeg of my up to date CV. It is still at an early stage, there are things i want to update. I can't wait to be able to add in 3 month internship, and Peclers. (its quite small! If you click on it, it should open into a new window, but as an attachment it will be A4 size.) When it comes to applying for jobs/internships I will look to add images of my work with a finished CV into a PDF file to sent to potential employees.

Dream Jobs.

Fashion predictor: Job description and activities

Fashion predictors have to accurately assess the styles, colours, shapes, textures and trends that customers will want to wear or can be persuaded to wear. Prediction is a very important part of the retail process, particularly in fashion, where buyers work two seasons ahead.

Typical work activities include:

• researching and presenting information relating to changes and developments in fashion that will impact on the retail environment;
• data collection, using two dimensional imagery to present predictions;
• visiting trade fairs, fashion shows, exhibitions, shops and clubs all over the world;
• sketching and taking photographs, which are fed back to the main office;
• compiling ideas into a catalogue that is sent to subscribers, who may be designers, manufacturers and buyers in retailing organisations, as well as agents' representatives worldwide;
• preparing bulletins for clients to keep them up to date ('moods' can change from month to month - influences may come from a wide range of sources such as popular music, street fashion and current political trends).

Fashion predictors need to know about fashion in its widest sense in terms of luxury, communication, lifestyle and culture.

Fashion predictors may work for agencies producing long-range forecasts to help retailers, manufacturers and designers plan their future ranges. This is a global business but few prediction agencies exist in the UK (these have reduced in number in recent years). Opportunities may exist in-house, where the role of predictor is incorporated into the design department.

Fashion designer: Job description and activities

Job description

Fashion designers work on the design of items of clothing and fashion ranges. Some may focus completely on one specialist area, such as sportswear, childrenswear, footwear or accessories.

They produce designs for the haute couture, designer ready-to-wear, and high street fashion markets. Developments in technology mean that a design can be on sale as a finished product in the high street within six weeks.

Depending on their level of responsibility and the company they work for, designers may work to their own brief or be given a brief to work towards, with specifications relating to colour, fabric and budget

Typical work activities

The main areas of work for fashion designers are:

• High street fashion: this is where the majority of designers work and where garments are mass manufactured (often in Europe or the Far East). Buying patterns, seasonal trends and celebrity catwalk influences play a key role in this design process. It is a commercial area and heavily media led.
• Ready-to-wear: Established designers create ready-to-wear collections, produced in relatively small numbers.
• Haute couture: This requires large amounts of time spent on the production of one-off garments for the catwalk - which are often not practical to wear - usually to endorse other brands and create a ‘look’.

Tasks depend on the market the designer is working for, but core responsibilities include:

• creating/visualising an idea and producing a design by hand or using computer-aided design (CAD);
• keeping up to date with emerging fashion trends as well as general trends relating to fabrics, colours and shapes;
• planning and developing ranges;
• working with others in the design team, such as buyers and forecasters, to develop products to meet a brief;
• liaising closely with sales, buying and production teams on an ongoing basis to ensure the item suits the customer, market and price points;
• understanding design from a technical perspective, i.e., producing patterns, toiles and technical specifications for designs;
• sourcing, selecting and buying fabrics, trims, fastenings and embellishments;
• adapting existing designs for mass production;
• developing a pattern that is cut and sewn into sample garments and supervising the making up of these, including fitting, detailing and adaptations;
• overseeing production;
• negotiating with customers and suppliers;
• managing marketing, finances and other business activities, if working on a self-employed basis.

Experienced designers with larger companies may focus more on the design aspect, with pattern cutters and machinists preparing sample garments. In smaller companies these, and other tasks, may be part of the designer's role.

http://www.prospects.ac.uk

Job Ad, Trendstop:

Associate Futurologist

Are you absolutely switched on when it comes to the latest trends, brands and products?
Are you able to spot, qualify and discuss fashion & lifestyle trends fluently and excitably?
Are you a perfectionist when it comes to formatting text and ensuring the written word communicates the latest trends accurately?

Trendstop is looking for a fully trend conversant futurologist/lifestyle trend researcher. If you have the relevant skills and experience needed, we'd love to hear from you.

Requirements

You have a minimum of 5 years relevant commercial experience, and strive for the highest standards in research and analysis. You are hard-working and pro-active and have excellent team working skills. Your excellent digital and organisational skills allow you to produce trend stories promptly and efficiently. You are able to find relevant visuals quickly and efficiently. Communicating trends in writing evocatively, and in grammatically correct English comes as second nature to you.

Salary:Based on experience

Designer – Street and Denim

Employer

WGSN

Posted

25 Mar 2010

Location

Greater London House, London

Position Type

Permanent

Job Function

Design

Sector

Unisex

Position

Designer – Street and Denim

Salary

Not specified

WGSN.com is the leading global service providing online research, trends analysis and news to the fashion, design and style industries.

A new opportunity has arisen for a Streetwear designer to join the Youth, Street and Denim department within content for WGSN. This is an exciting role for a candidate looking for a new and challenging position working within the cutting edge of the Streetwear market.

Having previous experience within the Street/Denim/Youth market is essential. This is a unique opportunity for a designer/ trend forecaster, with good writing skills and excellent illustrator skills to join a forward thinking and fast-paced team.

Reporting into the Head of Street & Denim;

This role will have no direct reports.

Key responsibilities:

-Research, visualize and Forecast Streetwear Product Design Direction, incl. silhouettes, colour and fabrics

-Research, visualize and write Trend analysis and Streetwear related reports

-Take street photos and analyze trends.

-Contribute to International Trade Shows coverage.

-Contribute to trends workshops with the Youth, Street & Sport team.

-Write copy, edit photographs and create reports using CMS.

-Liaise with production and subbing

-Create CADs

-General admin, duties to assist in the smooth running of the department.

If you have the experience to be able to deliver the key responsibilities as outlined to an exceptional standard and have the hunger and drive to become a key member of the team then please apply (outlining your experience, with your salary expectations and notice period)

My Dream Job description....

Designer - Topshop Unique

Location: London

Leading High Street Retail company Topshop are looking to recruit a designer to work within their in-house design brand 'Unique'. You will be working with a team of designers and be responsible for designing good quality fashion forward designs for bi-annual fashion week shows, under the Ready-To-Wear Ladies wear umbrella.

We are looking for someone who has working experience of Illustrator and Photoshop and can work quickly and efficiently without supervision to get the job done.

Carrying out ongoing research to predict trends and to retain a strong awareness of current product on the High Street. You will also be involved in creating Mood boards and trend packs.

Looking at Job descriptions now is quite daunting. But in a good way, because if theres something on the list i'm not 100% confident in then its something I can improve on for when i am ready to apply for jobs!!!!