Interview: Tom, Senior footwear designer

Link to Toms portfolio

What is your role within the fashion industry?

- I'm a senior ftw designer at Nike inc.

What formal education do you have in your subject area?

- I have a MDes in Transportation Design from Cov uni so nothing to do with ftw.

What do you feel was the catalyst in taking this career path?

- I was a runner up in a RSA sponsored design competition for Reebok whilst I was at Uni, this ignited the fire...I then went on to freelance for Speedo whilst I was still at uni doing a range of pool shoes...All of this kind of pushed me in the right direction.

Where do you find your inspiration?

- Everywhere, kinda corney I know but truthfully, I spend an hour each morning perusing the web, interior design sites, car design sites, fashion blogs etc etc, for me anything can be a source of inspiration. Nature is a big influence to me right now and the study of Biometrics.

What do you think are the key attributes to a strong portfolio?

- The story and sketching. A folio must show the 'story' from ideation to conception, idea progression and selection, creating the argument as to why you chose a certain direction over another. Sketching is still uber important, the ability to get your ideas onto paper as clearly and concisely as possible, you dont have to be an amazing "drawer" as long as the idea is represented clearly enough.

Is there any advice you would give to someone wanting to get into the design industry?

- PATIENCE. Good things come to those who wait. And be humble and prepared to work for things. You are not automatically entitled to anything.



Thanks so much Tom for your input.

Interview: Vicky- Menswear Designer

What is your role within the fashion industry?

Menswear designer for a fashion supplier

What formal education do you have in your subject area?

BA Hons degree in Fashion design and technology

How did you decide on this career path?

I was really interested in fashion from an early age and have always preferred to be arty and creative than more academically minded. I found that i just fell into the role of a menswear designer and after doing this for over 2 years now, I could never see myself doing women's.

What or who inspires you?

I find a lot of inspiration from general day to day life, whether it be something I see unrelated to fashion eg: a tree or a building, I love architecture and this transfers well into fashion ... I'm also inspired by the catwalk and some of my favourite labels include Kris van Assche and Dsquared.

When you have trouble finding inspiration how do you break out of it?

I have this problem sometimes when I'm starting a range. I find that in some cases I have all the research (maybe too much) and nothing is jumping out at me and setting me off. I don't really have a method for breaking out of it but In general I just keep on looking for more images and exploring more and then sometimes it just takes one little thing to trigger off an idea, and then all the research you've done fits into place. It also helps to get out and about and just take photos of everything interesting you see, however insignificant it may seem.

What is the best thing about your job?

The best things about my job are I get to travel, whether it be shopping trips abroad or trips to the far east to see the factories, and also the feeling I get when I see my designs in the stores and they are best sellers!


Thanks very much for you time and input Vicky.

Feedback So Far

In this space you could comment on any ideas you have to improve this blog.

How could it be more useful to you?

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.

Interview: Zoe

Zoe works as a designer in Manchester to see some examples of her work follow these links:

Sprayway

Ronhill

What is your role within the fashion industry?

My role within the fashion industry is to design outdoor clothing, and running clothing by using trend research, visiting and working closely with buyers, and thoroughly testing the designs we produce.

What formal education do you have in your subject area?

I completed a degree in fashion design and technology at Manchester Metropolitan University. Before this I did a foundation art course for a year, which I still think is one of the best things I did.

What do you feel was the catalyst in taking this career path?

The catalyst for me was probably during my foundation course when I went to London to see various exhibitions. One designer in particular at the time was Commes Des Garcons. I thought it was a fantastic range, which made me think I could do this... I recently went back to London as there is a new exhibition on, and one of the pieces was there and it still looks fantastic.
 

Where do you get your inspiration?

My inspiration is anything, I love looking for new ideas colours, textures, different details and cuts. I like anything unusual plastic and strange, I have to see the ridiculous to get back to normal. 

Where and how would you suggest students try to gain some placement experience?

I would make sure you have a strong portfolio. Its important to build a network, family, friends, teachers, if anyone knows anyone in the industry that will help. When I was 16 I worked in stores that sold the clothing I was interested in sports stores etc. While you are doing all this you can contact brands for any info and if they offer a scheme or you can do a weeks work experience. Be pro active!

Could you describe your average day in the office for us?
 

My average day would be first cup of tea, check and reply to emails, then see what I have to work on that day, usually I am working with my developer trying to make a drawing into a functional jacket. Checking the fit, fabric, colours details and trims. and more importantly checking I am on time with the critical path...

Thanks for your input Zoe.

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

Interview: Richard

Richard is a Freelance Fashion Designer based in London. 

Follow these links for to see some examples of Richards work:

Puma Urban Mobility

Art Rules Aruba

What is your role within the fashion industry?
 

I am currently a freelance fashion design consultant: I research, conceptualise & design apparel collections or consult and advise brand in the aforementioned areas. I have also created & delivered fashion workshops to teens.

What formal education do you have in your subject area?

I have a masters degree (BA HONs), a HND (Higher National Diploma & a ND (National Diploma) - these are all fashion design qualifications

What do you feel was the catalyst in taking this career path?

Going to a seminar on graphic design before the photoshop revolution and being turned off graphic design!!
Its actually probably a rare case of not actually deciding to pursue fashion, but ending up applying for fashion college and getting it!

What advice would you give to a student on how to break into the industry?

 

Don't wait until you finish studying to start! look at any opportunity to further your learning and hone your craft... internships, apprenticeships, working for free, making for friends, shadowing creative professionals...

What is the most valuable lesson you have learnt as a designer?

Know your craft! This combined with quality are/is the most important attribute you have, it will help you in getting started, growing and progressing... it will see you through the good and not so good times and people always remember quality. You can rely on it!

 

Does your job involve working long hours?

Its all peaks and troughs... some days are 'average' somes days not... as we generally work in seasons - with shifting variables, each day is different.. each season/collection is a project & you do what is needed to complete the project, sometimes you amy have to put the extra hours in.

Has your career involved much travel, how do you find that?

Yes, it's one of my favourite aspects of the job, I've been able to experience amazing places all over the world - this has expanded my horizons, fuelled my learning, inspired my creativity and matured me. It can be tough sometimes with the time differences & long hours but definitely a perk. 

Thanks for your input Richard.

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

Fashion Jobs

I thought it might be an Idea to give you some links to different websites that have current jobs advertised on them and also information about them.

Although you may not be thinking of getting a full time job now this information will be of use to you in the future and may give you some ideas about placements and internships.

Fashion United

Student Job

Retail Choice

Drapers

There are links from these websites to different agencies who advertise roles. As some of you may know within the fashion industry many companies do not advertise jobs directly. They are advertised through these agencies. 

Have a look at the links and then post any questions you may have below. If you know of some other useful websites include those too.