Interview: Rob

Umbro

 Rob currently works at Umbro. Click the image above to find out more.

What is your role within the fashion industry?

I'm Design Director of Global Apparel at Umbro.

What formal education do you have in your subject area and how important was it to you?

I studied the BA (Hons) Fashion Design with Technology at MMU. It has proved massively important in my career, especially the placement year which gave me a head start over my peers.

How did you start on this career path?

I used to draw football kits when I was a kid and then got into fashion as an offshoot of product design. I organised a catwalk show for charity whilst I was at school and realised how much I loved clothes. From there I turned my design hand from hard goods to fashion.

Where else have you worked?

Karrimor, Puma and O'Neill.

What was it like breaking into industry?

Surprisingly straight forward really. My Uni work was geared towards the type of brands I wanted to work for so my portfolio was already showing signs of what they were looking for. The big step was deciding to move to Germany but I thought 3 steps ahead and saw where it could take me. Thankfully the gamble paid off.

When designing or writing briefs where do you find your inspiration?

Sooo hard to say. It really depends on what I'm designing. It can be anything from historical events to old clothes to cars. I love popular culture though and I tend to look at that and think about how I'd change it for the better through clothes. I can't make people stop watching The Only Way Is Essex but I can make them dress nicer whilst they're doing it.

Do you ever get time outside of work?

No. That's why this interview is going back 2 weeks later than I promised! Joking aside, though, at my level your evenings tend to be short but I still try (and usually manage) to keep my weekends sacred... 

Thanks Rob for your input, and giving us some of your free time.

If you have any questions or comments please post them below.