Romeo and Juliet

I AM GOING TO BE INVOLVED IN THE COSTUME DESIGN FOR A WEST END PRODUCTION OF ROMEO & JULIET!!!!!

Last week I was browsing the internet for part time jobs and came across an ad for "Costume designers and makers wanted - would suit fashion/costume students or anyone wanting to expand their portfolio".... So I sent an email explaining that I am a first year Fashion student at the Institute and am keen to be involved...

So after various meetings and conversations with the organizer (who is also the director of the play) I have established how much time I am able to put in, after coursework which is priority. I think if I manage my time well I will be able to work on the costumes either every Sunday in the week, or perhaps swap this for a couple of nights during the week. 

Taking on this extra project will mean I may have a bit of a heavy work load up until mid January, when the play is showing in the West End, but this is an incredible opportunity for me at this stage in my professional career development, which is just too good to miss!!

As of now there will be 6 of us in the costume department, 1 one which I have met and later today we will all be meeting together to establish our initial ideas for the costumes. From then we have until next monday to produce our individual design ideas, which we will then put forward to the group and perhaps decide on aspects of everyones designs to bring together and come up with one final design for each character.

We have 6 weeks to produce about 35 costumes!! So it will be hectic but really exciting. And some of the costumes can be made quite simply as they do not need to be too elaborate, eg: clothing for the towns people may be a simple blouse and full skirt for example, which won't take too much time to make.

The director suggested that Franco Zeffirelli's version of the famous play is closest to what they are trying to achieve in  their production, so I took this out of the library last night and watched it at home. I gained lots of inspiration from the 1968 film and the Oscar winning costume design, and it also helped me brush up on my knowledge of the story and its characters, which will be important when designing the costumes as their characters may need to be reflected within the clothing.

I will keep posting to update on the progress of the project so watch this space!!

ITV Fixers

"...

BA (Hons) Fashion Studies student Kelly Levell from the Institute is setting a trend in clothes recycling, and will appear on ‘Meridian Tonight’ on Wednesday 3 December as part of ITV Fixers, the regional news campaign that challenges young people to do something about an issue they care about.

Second year student Kelly Levell, 20, is concerned that the fast turnover of cheap clothing available in the High Street is wasteful and is exploiting Third World labour. She wants to encourage people to reinvent and revamp what’s already in their wardrobe.

With the help of ITV Fixers, Kelly and fellow students Jade Ireland (20) and Jenny Forsyth (22) are building a website to raise awareness of the implications of fast fashion, and giving advice on how to recycle clothing. “I would like see consumers buying into more sustainable and ethical labels rather than High Street,” says Kelly. “Using our website as a tool people will be able to find out ways to reproduce the clothing they already have rather than just buying into the disposable fast fashion society that’s around us today. Ultimately I would love to slow down fast fashion because it’s gone too fast and it’s gone too far. Now is the time to make a difference.”

The story of Kelly’s project will be told in ‘Meridian Tonight’, which is broadcast from 6pm on ITV1, on Wednesday 3 December, and there is more information about it on www.itvlocal.com/itvfixers.

ITV Fixers, which launched in ITV regional news programmes earlier this year, challenges people aged between 16 and 25 to identify an issue of concern and gives them practical help and guidance to ‘fix’ the problem.

..."

Taken from AIB Intranet.

This is something that I am really keen to watch, as it relates really well to my current FDP project based on philosophy. Our brief is to create our own philosophy and currently I am having real trouble in thinking up one of my own. I want it to be inspired by the fast fashion industry so I hope that by watching this it may help me develop my ideas. However, it is showing in a weeks time which may be a little late for my project, but will still be well worth a watch anyway!

Trendstop.com

Just found a good website....

Really want to go to this!! Prices TBC

How to find a job with a Fashion Design Degree

I found this page whilst looking for fashion templates on the web and found it quite useful and insightful. I have highlighted some key points that stuck out for me which will be useful to remember. Original source: http://www.fashion-templates.com/?page_id=17

Julie Moore - Source: http://www.fashion-schools.org/

So, what do you do once you get your fashion design degree? The path is simple: market yourself, market yourself, market yourself. You know that you are talented, and armed with your fashion design degree, it is time to make sure everyone else knows this too. While you are in school, decide what aspect of fashion design you wish to focus on, and then do what it takes to get there. It is no secret that fashion design is a skills-based industry - creativity is crucial, but your applicable skills are just as important if you want to get your foot in the door. Potential employers want to see what you know, and what you can do. Show them!
The first way to properly marketing yourself involves building out a thorough, professional-looking portfolio. Do not fret if you are a recent graduate, employers understand this and are happy to consider your best student work as an example of your abilities. Spend time carefully tailoring your selections because the portfolio you present is your chance to make a memorable first impression.
It is also important to have versatile skills. It is likely that you won’t start out as the head designer or the creative directory - no matter how wonderfully talented you are. You want to be seen as an asset no matter what position a potential employer has available. So, make sure that you have the creative skills, the ability to troubleshoot, devloped critical thinking skills. Impress your employers no matter what role you fill and you are well on your way to a successful career.
Okay, so the most important advice we offer budding fashion designers is to be prepared for and willing to do anything. Don’t be afraid to take a job answering phones for Calvin Klein or manning the copy machine for Prada. Just view any opportunity as a way to get started. Keep your eye on your long-term goal but be willing to settle for less in the beginning.
Just for a little extra boost of encouragement, consider the first jobs of same of the most famous designers in the industry. Ralph Lauren was a door-to-door tie salesman. Coco Chanel worked as a retail saleswoman in a hosiery store. Salvatore Ferragamo worked in a boot manufacturing plant, and Marc Jacobs was a stock boy for a New York clothing store. Laura Ashley was a secretary and Manolo Blahnik was a jean buyer for a department store. Humble beginnings? Certainly. The talent of the household brand names mentioned here didn’t just suddenly pop out of out nowhere. Instead, these designers believed in their talent and were willing to do what it took to break into the industry. Remember this.
Whatever you do, pursue your career in fashion with passion and intense dedication. Start each day with a healthy dose of optimism and know that if you work hard enough for long enough, your dream job can happen. See you on the runway!

Job Descriptions...

Fashion Illustrator

Also called: Fashion Artist
Job Description: Fashion Illustrators conceptualize and draw apparel and accessories by hand or using special computer software programs (e.g. CAD). These illustrations are used in advertising layouts for newspaper and magazine advertisements, direct mail catalogs, department store ads, television commercials, films, brochures, and flyers. Fashion Illustrators may work for an advertising agency, a manufacturer, department store, as a freelance illustrator, or out of their own studio.
Salary Range: $0 to $60,000
Outlook: Many of the jobs once done solely by fashion illustrators are now also being performed by fashion photographers. However, fashion illustration and fashion artist jobs remain. Opportunities are available for well-trained and skilled illustrators with employers like pattern companies and fashion forecast firms for whom photographs will not suffice.
Qualifications:
Education - A college degree is not required, but 2-4 yr degrees in Art, Drawing, Fashion Design or Fashion Illustration will be very helpful. Coursework in business is helpful for freelancers.
Experience - Demonstrated ability, skill and style, in the form of a portfolio is required. In addition to print illustrations, online and electronic portfolios may also be required.
Personal Characteristics/Skills - Excellent computer skills, particularly with CAD software; excellent drawing skills; high level of creativity and artistic expression; ability for self-promotion; basic business know-how.
Career Path: Fashion Illustrator Freelance > Staff Fashion Illustrator

Fashion Designer

Also called: Clothes Designer, Apparel Designer
Job Description: Fashion designers conceptualize and create new clothing and accessory designs. They must analyze fashion trends and work closely with production, sales and marketing departments to design, produce and promote a finished, ready-to-wear, salable product for apparel manufacturers, specialty and retail stores, and at times, individual clients. Fashion designers usually specialize in a specific line of clothing such as sportswear, men, women, kids, maternity, bridal, and so on. More experienced designers may be required travel to promote their lines.
Salary Range: $14,400 to $200,000+ Entry level pay may range from $14,500 to over $17,000 Experienced pay may range from $20,000 to over $40,000Top level pay may range from $75,000 to over $100,000
Outlook: Demand for fashion designers should continue to be strong because consumers constantly seek new fashions and styles. With enough talent, patience and determination, those who want success can achieve it. As with many sought-after careers, expect long hours in the beginning and be ready for seasonal slowdowns.
Qualifications:
Education - a 2 or 4-year college degree in Fashion Design, Fashion Merchandising or a related field is recommended but not always required
Experience - several years as an intern, design assistant, junior designer
Personal Characteristics/Skills - above average ability for creative expression; sewing skills; drawing and sketching skills; computer skills (especially with the use of CAD); ability to discriminate between colors and judge fabric quality; knowledge of fashion trends and forecasts; knowledge of manufacturing and production process; persistence; ability to deal with ambiguity and rejection; handle stress due to deadlines.
Career Path: Design Assistant > Assistant Designer > Associate Designer > Fashion Director

Fashion Buyer

Also called: Buyer, Apparel Buyer
Job Description: Fashion buyers select and purchase apparel and accessories from designers, manufacturers or wholesalers for retail sale to their customers. Buyers use their fashion sense, knowledge of trends, and understanding of their target customers' desires to create a range of selection within their retail stores. Due to the length of time it takes for a designer or manufacturer to fill all their orders, buyers often make their purchases up to 1 or 2 years in advance. Buyers must also be good at budgeting and planning their inventory so that a good selection of clothes is always available. Buyers for larger department stores usually specialize in a specific line of clothing or accessories (e.g. men's denim).
Salary Range: $30,000 to $100,000Entry level pay may range from $30,000 to $45,000Experienced pay is around $50,000+Top level pay may range from $70,000 to $100,000
Outlook: Good to Excellent. While the overall number of buyer positions available is expected to decrease, positions become available due to internal promotions or transitions. Prospects for advancement for buyers is also good. Buyers who start at the assistant buyer level have a good chance of becoming full-fledged buyers within 3-5 years.
Qualifications:
Education - A college degree in Fashion Merchandising or some related field is required. Coursework in Business and Fashion Design is very helpful.
Experience - Retail sales experience is very helpful because understanding customer buying behavior is a key part of being a successful buyer.
Personal Characteristics/Skills - Fashion-lover; Knowledge of fashion history and trends; good analytical skills; excellent budgeting and planning skills; inventory management; good negotiation skills; flexible work attitude; ability to deal well with deadlines and stress.
Career Path: Assistant Fashion Buyer > Fashion Buyer > Fashion Buyer > Divisional Merchandise Manager

Fashion Stylist

Also called: Stylist
Job Description: Fashion stylists are responsible for bringing to life a photographer or director�s vision for a fashion photo shoot, layout, music video, commercial, print advertisement, etc. Fashion stylists often scout locations, create the mood for the shoot by selecting and setting up the appropriate props, fashions, accessories, and even models to fit the theme of the shoot. Companies such as magazines, newspapers, retailers, advertising agencies, and music production companies often employ fashion stylists. Many stylists also choose to run their own businesses.
Salary Range: $0 to $100,000+Entry level pay may range from $150-$200/dayExperienced pay may range from $500-$5,000/dayTop level stylists can earn up to $100,000 and more
Outlook: Aspiring fashion stylists should expect to work their way to the top. The most successful fashion stylists have extensive networks of contacts within the fashion industry to get the job done quickly and on budget. In addition, clients usually hire stylists they have used in the past or those who have proven success in the business. Once established, stylists who maintain a good professional reputation can expect plenty of repeat business and often take advantage of this by setting up their own independent businesses.
Qualifications:
Education - A 2 or 4-yr. degree in Fashion Design, Fashion Merchandising, Art or Visual Merchandising is helpful but not required.
Experience - Previous retail experience is helpful, as are internships with fashion publication and apprenticeships under experienced fashion stylists.
Personal Characteristics/Skills - Eye for style; creativity and resourcefulness; persistence and self-motivation; broad knowledge of fashion history, trends and forecasts; good interpersonal and networking skills; technical know-how for setting up sets; ability to market oneself.
Career Path: Intern/Stylist's Apprentice > Assistant Fashion Stylist > Staff Fashion Stylist

Here is some advice for hopeful fashion designers:
How can I break into the fashion world? teenfashion.bout.com
Q: I've been dreaming about being a fashion designer my whole life. I make some of my own clothes and get tons of compliments. I want to start selling my designs and get a business going. Do you have any tips? - Dreamin’ of Couture

A: Aloha Dreamin’!I certainly do have some advice for you! First off, congrats on deciding to pursue a career in fashion. Thankfully, we live in the digital age, which makes it relatively easy to get into the indie fashion scene. Start off by having a fashion shoot at your home with some friends. Have them model your fashions and take digital pictures of them at a high resolution. Then, get online and get yourself a website made. If you don't have any funds, start with a Geocities, or an Angelfire site.
While this isn't the way to get tons of people to visit you, it certainly is a start.
If you do have a bit of money to invest, come up with a cool name, and head on over to GoDaddy.com to register your dot com. Then, get hooked up with some hosting, and start designing your killer website. After that, it's time to promote you. Tell all your friends to link to you, get your site on all of the free listing directories. You need to make people come to your site, so spread the word. Offer some cool DIY tips for people. Make it a resource, as well as a shop. Keep a design journal and let people know what you’re working on.
Next, try and get an internship helping a local designer. They need the help, and can't pay much, but the amount you can learn from someone who's doing it themselves is worth more than any amount of money if this is really what you want to do, which leads into my next point about internships. Not only is it great to see what it's like to be a fashion designer firsthand, you'll also be able to judge if you're willing to do this. The long hours, the time away from friends, the frustration of running a business, all of that.
If you do decide after an internship that this is what you want to do, it’s time to get started. Contact other local designers and small boutiques and see when they host fashion runway shows, and see if they'll let you participate. Before jumping in, go to one as a spectator, and check out what it's like behind the scenes. Once you have a plan, sign up as a designer, and get your styles on the runway. Once you've been in a few shows, try contacting local shops and see if they would be interested in carrying your line.
Don't be discouraged if it doesn't happen right away. These things take time, and persistence. Remember that if you work on something hard enough and long enough, you WILL succeed.

Portfolio Creation - Fashion Career
Once you have selected an institution, you will need to focus on your portfolio. A good portfolio should demonstrate your ability in drawing, design development and problem solving, use of colour and fashion edge.
Your portfolio should really only contain your fashion illustrations, nothing else. If you do graphic design also, leave that out if you’re in a fashion illustration interview. Make a separate portfolio for your other categories. Always only use your favourite pieces to show in the portfolio, about 10-12 works. You should always update the portfolio as you create new pieces, take out your least favourite and replace with better ones. If you have not worked before, and you’re fresh out of school, you will have to sit and create a portfolio from scratch. Never use pieces that aren’t directly in line with the field you are applying for.
Your front piece should be your best one, and then end off with a strong one. Rather only use your best works, than try to fill up the portfolio with feeble stuff. Always include some good rough sketches from your sketchbook (Reminder: KEEP A SKETCHBOOK!!) When you speak to the interviewer, be positive about your stuff; don’t make jokes or funny comments about it! Even if you’re thinking it.
It must look professional; therefore all your designs must be the same size, if most of them are A3, then blow up the rest of the images to be that size. Make sure the copies look good.
When deciding on the layout of your portfolio, keep all the landscape ones together and the portrait versions in a group too. It's best to print them out in a manner that you won't have to keep turning the book to see them upright. If possible, add backgrounds or borders for effect.
Design an amazing front page, go with a fashion illustration theme, and include your contact details. If your portfolio sleeves are getting scuffed then replace them or get a new portfolio. Keep some extra copies of your work so that you’re able to give them away as samples, if possible you should make a reference list of previous clients - if you’ve done fashion illustration work for them.
Try to not let your presentation be too complicated, if you do provide an online presentation, make sure you have a physical one as backup.

Marketing Yourself
You should go to sites such as http://www.portfolios.com/, http://www.dexigner.com/, http://www.art-dept.com/, http://www.illustrationweb.com/. These are great sites that you can load your portfolios onto, it will be an online showcase and display all your contact details. They enable you to network freely in the industry.
You should also try to perform a mailing campaign and post off colour copies and printed samples of your strongest illustrations to companies you wish to work for. Always perform the research first. Never send original illustrations off. Send them each with your contact details on them, individually. Type up a professional covering letter; include a card that they can respond with - even a self addressed stamped envelope to make it easier for them! Always ensure that the contact person’s name is spelled correctly.
Include a list of former clients, or college references. If you are fresh out of college, your professionalism will impress them! Write a list of all the people you have sent these to, what responses you’ve gotten. Don't be too forlorn if many people don't respond, this is the professional world and feelings aren't taken into account!
Set up a regular mailing campaign and mail colour copies, postcards or printed samples of your very best illustrations to publishers or companies that you would like to work for. Do your market research first!
And lastly, ALWAYS be on time for appointments and be courteous.

Is college necessary?

Many talented illustrators/designers are self taught. The talent can’t be taught, just the polishing of skills and techniques. Some illustrators have degrees in art and have found art school to be a valuable resource and learning situation. You can decide what works best for you; you will learn new skills throughout your career. Your best bet is a strong portfolio of work; your prospective employer might overlook the formal training if he/she sees the raw talent and professionalism in you. Don’t only concentrate on good illustration skills and talent, having a good business mind is imperative to your success. The odd thing is that very few schools offer courses in the business of design/illustration; you need to source those skills yourself. Most design students leave college very bright eyed and bushy tailed, only to be disillusioned when realising that its a harsh world out there. The relaxed days of college are over! Be realistic; know that you’re going to struggle initially.
Whichever road you take you should also have a back-up career in mind. Very few illustrators can start out working full-time in any illustration field unless they happen upon a staff position, which are few and far between. You are going to need some other career to support you while you develop your career as an illustrator. If you are young, then concerns like dental insurance and health insurance may seem inconsequential but they really are important! Some freelance illustrators have their second or part-time job in a creative field but other illustrators find that working in a non-art related field helps keep their creative level high for their illustration work.

Good Traits for an Illustrator
The misconception is that all you need is talent, which is never enough. The market is flooded with raw talent; most are not going to succeed in the field of design or fashion illustration. Most of the very talented ones can’t succeed because they might not have the simple characteristics of a good employee, punctuality, working to a deadline, working as a team or being computer literate. The estimate is 1 -10% of all illustration/fashion students will succeed as professionals.
If you do anything as a freelancer you need to be self motivated, a good business mind and extremely organised. You have to be able to take criticism and persevere. Always be knowledgeable about your field, you need to be able to negotiate contracts and understand copyright laws.
A good artist/designer must always be researching and growing in his/her field, throughout their career. Broaden your areas of expertise, times are always changing and tastes vary.