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!!

Calling Weavers! The Cockpit Arts / Clothworkers Foundation Award 2016

About the Award:

Applications are invited for the Cockpit Arts / The Clothworkers Foundation Awards 2016. The Awards are only open to weavers who have graduated within the last 5 years.  

The Awards aim to assist emerging weavers each year to set up in business by providing studio space and business support provided by Cockpit Arts as well as shared use of looms. The selection panel, including the acclaimed ikat weaver and designer Mary Restieaux, and a representative of The Clothworkers Foundation, will be looking for up to three individuals who demonstrate entrepreneurial spirit as well as creative excellence and craft skills. The Award contributes to the cost of a place at Cockpit for one year from July 2016 and will include a space in a shared studio equipped with 3 looms, Leclerc and Louet, and the following benefits:

  • Studio space and use of looms within the creative community of Cockpit Arts at Deptford, London, SE8 with access to office facilities and resource centre.
  • Business and professional development services including on-site coaching, a personalised development plan, workshops and seminars.
  • A range of selling and promotional opportunities including Cockpit Arts Open Studios selling events twice a year.
  • Award worth 2,000 with the remaining 2,000 fee being provided by the Award winners, payable on a monthly basis.

How to Apply:

  •  Please request a Clothworkers Award application pack from dana@cockpitarts.com
  •  Deadline for receipt of applications is 5pm Friday 27 May 2016
  •  Interviews with shortlisted applicants will be held on Monday 6 June 2016
  •  Winners will be expected to take part in our Awardee Induction Day on Wednesday 13 July and move into Cockpit Arts Deptford no later than 1 September 2016

Submit your Fashion Illustrations to SHOWstudio

Love our fashion illustrations? You can now illustrate for us too.

FullSizeRender

SHOWstudio continually champions fashion illustration as an art form. Every season, SHOWstudio commissions new artists and illustrators to interpret the collections of key designers in New York, London, Milan and Paris, in original artworks. Working with both acclaimed and emerging illustrators, SHOWstudio continually seeks to offer a platform for fashion illustrators to showcase their work.

Fashion illustrations have become a prominent component of SHOWstudio’s collections coverage, as well as featuring in projects such as Illustrating McQueen and A Beautiful Darkness.

Submissions by fashion illustrators are encouraged and will be considered on an individual basis. Please contact us on illustration.submissions@showstudio.com or via the form here http://showstudio.com/illustration_submissions

Knitwear Production Assistant opportunity in London

CHELACHE is a small knitwear label based in Hackney, London.

We design, make and sell knitted fashion accessories for men and women. Everything is done in house, from design and sampling to production and finishing. At the moment we mainly retail our products direct to the public, via our website and at design markets and sales shows, but we are looking to develop the wholesale side of the business.

http://www.chelache.com/

Main duties

Production of knitted accessories on Dubied flat bed knitting machines.
Assisting at design shows and sales shows (both retail and trade).

Skills & Experience

Interns will be expected to assist in potentially all areas of the business and so learning opportunities will be broad and varied. I’m always eager to share knowledge and can help interns to not only develop their technical skills but also their understanding of other areas of the business if they show an interest (sales, marketing, design, pricing etc.).

Who would benefit?

A knitted textile student or graduate with an understanding of how knitting machines work would be ideal. Experience with Dubied industrial knitting machines in particular is a definite bonus. An interest in or knowledge of fashion is not necessary, but a passion for knitting is.

Interns should be willing to perform a broad and varied ranges of tasks.
More important than the technical knowledge and skills they already possess is the eagerness to learn and expand on those skills during their time here.

There is the possibility down the line to increase hours and or take a formal job role if mutually agreeable.

Salary 
£7.00 per hour

Hours
2 days per week (16 hours) one of which can be a weekend day.

Internship Length
Minimum 5 months

Closing date
August 17, 2015

For more information and to apply go here