Print Design Student Ellie Bennewith’s placement experience

Printed Textiles Student Ellie Bennewith offers us an insight into the experience she gained through the Industry Placement Module.

During my second year I was exposed to multitude of exciting roles within the textile industry. Two roles that I’ve explored within printed textiles were working with the team at Fairbairn and Wolf Studio (FWS) and designing in-house for a week with Blendworth Interiors.

 

I really enjoyed my time at FWS (a freelance studio based in Peckham) not only did I learn a lot about the industry but I learnt what it’s like to be part of a design team and create relationships with other designers. My week at Blendworth Interiors was a completely different atmosphere because fashion is much faster than interiors. The pace was much slower, which, allowed designers to have more time to consider and create stories for each of their designs. I think I preferred the faster pace as FWS, it was ‘mental’ at times but I left the studio proud of what I had achieved. This has really helped me to discover which area of the textile industry I would like to go into. I think, before my placement, I was definitely leaning towards interiors but now I like the intensity of the fashion industry.

This experience has been invaluable to my development as a designer. On reflection, I have developed key skills that will make me more employable, such as, improving my CAD skills and developing a commercial hand on screen and paper. I built on my transferrable skills as I listened to feedback to improve my independent work but also experienced what it is like to work within a design team – an experience which cannot be replicated at university.

I’ve been exposed to experiences that can only happen on placement, like the preparation for tradeshows and getting to assist a client. Through working with FWS I’ve become more aware of culture impacting the concept of taste, as a result it has forced me to work out of my comfort zone and develop an awareness of how the textile industry works on a global scale.  This will have a significant impact on my studies when I enter my third year as I will recognise and be able to produce a cohesive collection demonstrating a variety of skills.

Before I started my placement, I had my reservations, I was afraid to start in a new environment with completely new people. But the experience was far better than I expected, I loved doing the Placement Module. After being in education all my life, it was a fantastic opportunity to try something different and have a taste of what life could be like after I graduate. For such a long time I convinced myself that all I wanted to do, once I left education, is travel around the world before the stress of getting a job. Since my placement, my opinion changed, the prospect of getting a job in an industry that I love is more exciting than travelling. Something I never thought I would say!!

Winchester School of Art Press and Industry Fashion Show at The Vinyl Factory in Soho, London

On Monday 11 June 2018, Winchester School of Art (WSA) Fashion & Textile Design final year students will present their graduate collections.

    

The event is a fantastic opportunity to view the work of our emerging talent in a commercial setting alongside members of industry and press.

We are very proud that this event has supported our graduates in their long history of employability, working with companies such as… Mulberry, Alexander McQueen, Burberry, Liberty London, Skinny Dip, Top Shop, H&M, Dazed Digital, Chloé, Peter Jensen, Collection 18, Jenny Packham, Kath Kidston, Cole & Sons, Erdem, i-D magazine, Urban Outfitters, Net-A-Porter and others.

View previous collections on Vogue.co.uk.

For more information contact the programme leader Cecilia Langemar on cl@soton.ac.uk

Samson Soboye/WSA Collaboration

A selection of Year 2 Knitwear for Fashion student work went on sale in Soboye’s Shoreditch based boutique during London Fashion Week last week and at the Colour Walk exhibition at Old Spitalfields Market, London.

WSA Fashion Design Students Shortlisted for Diversity Now Competition

Three second year Fashion Design students have been shortlisted for the All Walks Catwalk, Diversity Now competition. Congratulations to Ning Kang, Abigail Skrentny and Holly Baxter!Abigail Skrentny Holly Baxter

Ning Kang

All Walks & Artsthread Diversity NOW Competition

Five Year 2 Fashion Design students have been nominated for the internationally renowned All Walks Beyond the Catwalk competition Diversity NOW in association with i-D magazine.

The competition is a perfect link with the Fashion Design Pathway’s vision of a fashion future, which, as the All Walks organisation states, “empowers and emboldens the viewer and the wearer, envisioning impactful, emotionally considerate, commercially relevant practice in all areas of the industry.”
The nominated students all answered the brief by using their design to “step beyond stereotypes, redefine boundaries and celebrate a wider range of beauty and body ideals in age, size, gender, race and physical ability.”

Becky Chandler

The following words by nominee Becky Chandler (left) offer an insightful summary to students thinking behind their design “The current Fashion industry is over saturated with models who emote a similar look and personality. Magazines process the same kind of person in every page. The lack of diversity is noticeable.” Becky continues “The industry is supposedly about role models and personality, but how can we aspire to be someone we have no common threads with?”
Abigail Skrentny
Ning KangNing Kang (image above), Becky Chandler and Abigail Skrentny (line-up above) were nominated in the Design category and Holly Baxter (bottom image) and Chiara Bradfield (image below) were nominated in the Illustration category. GOOD LUCK to them all!

Chiara Bradfield Holly Baxter

The British Fashion Awards 2016

Last week four Fashion Design students were given the opportunity to attend the British Fashion Awards at the Royal Albert Hall in London. The awards celebrate the best of British and international talent from the global fashion community.

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As part of WSA’s ongoing affiliation with the British Fashion Council, Programme Leader Cecilia Langemar and Senior Teaching Fellow Sophia Malig were invited to attend the awards. The students selected were Rose Appleton, Hannah Price, Sophie Lightowlers and Curtis Wu.

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Paid Atelier Internship at Celine / Deadline Monday!

London based fashion label Celine are looking for an Atelier Intern.

Main duties
• Be confident when tracing patterns and cutting fabric
• Develop the skill of flat pattern cutting from vintage and ready-made garments
• Improve speed of pattern cutting while still retaining quality
• Improve hand-sewing and machine-sewing skills
• Create test samples for designers
• Develop autonomy in preparing fusing sample tests for presentation to designers
• Ensure attention to detail when pressing and preparing garments for fittings
• Ensure quality when making final small alterations before fittings

Skills & Experience
Flat pattern cutting, draping & toiling, sewing, fabric development

This position is ideal for someone who would like:
• To develop knowledge and ability to work in a fast-paced high end luxury design house
• To practice and improve key technical skills in a working environment
• To develop teamwork and ability to work towards tight deadlines.

Salary – £18,000 per annum
Location – West End, London
Hours – 37.5 hours per week
Internship Length – 6 months
Closing date – November 07, 2016

For more details and to apply go here

Internship at Roksanda Sample Room

Roksanda Sampling team are looking for suitable interns to help with the making of the next main and pre-collections, you will get to experience all the stages of developing a major womenswear collection. Successful candidate will experience how the sampling department interacts with the design and production teams.
Suitable for applicants who are presently studying a fashion degree or on the placement year
Preferred internship duration is 3 – 6 months
A daily travel allowance of £10 is offered for this role
TASKS
  • Assisting product development team with toiling for fittings,
  • Liaison with pattern cutters and machinists,
  • Working alongside sample cutter;
  • Hand finishing final samples including embroidery,
  • Assisting with finishing trials,
  • Assisting at the photoshoot,
  • Backstage help during London Fashion Week
 SKILLS
  • Good knowledge of fabrics and garment construction,
  • Confident in hand/machine sewing,
  • Excellent organizational and communication skills,
  • Strong attention to detail,
  • Candidate would have a positive and enthusiastic attitude.
**** PLEASE SPECIFY THE DATES OF YOUR AVAILABILITY IN YOUR APPLICATION
To apply go here