That's enough blogging for me for a while...

Its now time to get on with my Fashion As A Forum essay....oh how I love to leave things until the last minute. I suppose its not too bad when I am well on schedule for everything else.

I will keep you posted......

They finally replied!

I was so lucky today when I checked my AUCB emails; I received mail from a Natasha at Lu Flux. I was excited to read that were interested in having me in for an interview and view of my portfolio- which I do not have at present, but I dare say I can whip something up. I will reply with great enthusiasm and hopefully attend an interview over easter or sometime after that.

It would be an amazing experience for me and it is what I am really, strongly interested in within my fashion career. I don't think I have ever been so excited about anything and this was only one email! YAYYYYYYY!

MY DREAM JOB?!

I am going to amazing! I will gain some experience from any placements, internships and jobs. I would ideally like to do some other courses in other specific areas such as; shoe design, accessory design, corsetry and lingerie. I want to have as much experience and as many skills as physically possible, in order to better myself throughout my career.

Job Description: Looking for fashion experienced, enthusiastic person. Experience to include knowledge of all areas within fashion and specifically in Creative Pattern Cutting. The ability to manual pattern cut is key but basic knowledge of computer pattern cutting systems is a bonus. A very keen interest in ethical design and the ability to source better fabrics and textiles to produce the desired effect.

Job Roles: Working within a team of professionals to include designers, seamstresses and garment technologists. The role of head pattern cutter is time consuming and may take longer than anticipated, therefore work hours may vary.

Annual Salary: £25,000-35,000.

Portfolio and References Required.

Top 10 Careers in Fashion...

(1 being the best available career and 10 being the least.)

1. Designer

2. Model

3. Stylist

4. Journalist

5. Buyer

6. Boutique Owner

7.Fashion Illustrator

8.Fashion Photographer

9. Visual Merchandiser

10. Personal Relations

According to a couple of websites these are the top fashion careers and not on of them has relevance to pattern cutting or garment technology. The only way I can see myself on this is at No. 6 and that is only after I have gained some experience.

Some other careers achievable after FdA Fashion Design and Technology:

Fashion Forecaster, Sample Seamstress, Fashion Magazine, Pattern Cutter, Textiles Teacher, Lecturer, Couturier, Garment Technologist, Retail, Entrepreneur, Free Lancer, Textile Designer, e.t.c.

Shoe Design!

Here are a couple of my shoe re-designs. You all know very well by now of my love for shoes and recycling and re-crating something unique. The back shoe boots were a Christmas present to myself a couple of years ago. I bought £15 worth of feathers from McCulloch and Wallis and hand stitched them round the top of the shoe. The Aubergine Mary-Jane's belong to my Mum I glued each feather on one by one in this design and the feathers came from a pheasant that my boyfriend's family ate and gave me the feathers. However, I am not too sure this is ethical but I do really love feathers and both pairs.

Fashion Career Websites and Agencies

Mintel:

Completely useless for looking for careers in Fashion however, I then just tried typing 'Fashion' into to the search box and I find some really useful information and statistics. It redirected me to 'Mintel Oxygen'. I think this is promoting jobs in the business sector, there is more information to do with the business and financial side of fashion as appose to jobs themselves. There are many issues that have been reported on, on the website such as size issues in fashion for example. I think the only way Mintel will help me is if I am in need of some fashion facts and statistics.

Fashion Monitor:

Fairly easy to use however, to look at current updates you need to be a member and sign-up to the site; this to me just means more junk mail. I did look at the job opportunities and it has become clear that it advertises mainly for experienced people in the fashion industry and those who are more in the promotion side of fashion. There were no jobs at that present moment in any of the design and construction areas and especially not a recent graduate.

Companies House:

First impression were pretty poor; it is not very appealing to someone with a creative mind and eye, it is not at all easy to access. I believe this site would be more useful to people wanting to start a business, which may be me in some years to come but I'm not in a hurry to throw myself into that just yet.

Fashion Index:

Seems to me that this website is advertising new and small business, the site re-directs to several other sites. It is definitely what it says on the tin, meaning it literally is the index for all the fashion needs of anyone in the industry. There are links to manufacturers and cloth warehouses. It would be very helpful to me if I do begin my ideas and are in need of the above sources.

Draper's Record:

Lots more job opportunities and of course we know that Draper's is a reliable source, unfortunately there are few careers for a graduate only 6 when I looked. A definite bonus of this site for jobs is the more detailed descriptions and the adverts aren't only for jobs in London but all over the U.K. Sometimes I can be a little delusional and believe I am going to land myself a career in London and in fact it would be more beneficial to me if I were to find one either closer to home or Bournemouth for my first job after graduation.

With thanks to Escada.

I finally heard from the people at Escada and I am pleased to say that I wasn't too disheartened to hear that my application for internship was unsuccessful. I was satisfied with my design which I foolishly did scan in or photocopy to add to my blog but never mind. They sent me a very rewarding letter which I am not stupid enough to believe was only received by myself but it still put a smile on my face.