I am now completely confused and torn between the two routes which I might take in the second year!!
Basically.. today we had what I found to be a really interesting B&M session with Jo. We looked at Sourcing the Product which involves sourcing fabric, materials and production from other countries in order to deliver the correct kind of garments. We also got an idea of what a typical garment might look like when manufactured in specific countries, as most tend to adopt common traights. I found this really interesting and it gave me a better knowlegde of the manufacturing industry and garment make-up.
At the end of the session Jo showed us some photos taken while on one of her sourcing trips to India for her Kite Kids range. I found this so interesting as it sounds really crazy, but I've kind of always been quite interested in factories and the production line for how a mass-produced garment is created. I have thought about what it might be like to work in one as a machinist and I personally think it would be quite interesting.. However after a week or so of sewing the same seams of the same continuous line of garments over and over again, I may think a little different!!
But it was during this session I realised that as a Buyer you may well get the opportunity, if you are lucky, to actually go on sourcing trips like this and visit factories and communicate directly with suppliers, all of which I think I would find really rewarding.. I have come to realise over the past few months that I really want to travel some day and see different parts of the world, so if I were to ever get this opportunity I would jump at the chance!
It is now that I am starting to think that perhaps a job in B&M would be better suited in order to gain more reliable career prospects...??? In the past week or so I have started to become swayed in this direction as the tutors stress the fact that that Design is just so competitive. But Design is what I know and what I LOVE!! However I spoke briefly with Jo and mentioned that I have always wanted to take the Design route, and if it would still be possible to gain a career in B&M even if I choose the Design route in year 2. She mentioned that a Garment Technologist may be a suitable career option, as with a background in Design it would mean I'd have the abilty to really understand fabrics, construction and garment make-up, etc, which are key attributes that a Technologist needs. I also learned from Jo's presentation that large retail companies often employ freelance designers to contribute to their product lines.
2 comments:
Hi, I'm a 2nd year FdA Fashioner.
I stumbled across your blog from Jamie's page.
I just wanted to say that I too was extremely confused as to which route to take for the 2nd year, i finally chose promotion.
I now want to be a garment technologist and am regretting doing promotion instead of design as i feel like i have forgotten everything i learned in the 1st year as i haven't been able to practice it! And for a garment technologist garment construction is really important!
I also just wanted to add, that whilst i was on my work placement i met people who had come from fashion courses that specialised in design who were now buyers. As long as you can show employers that you've been to university i don't think it matters exactly what you specialise in for your final year, as long as your passionate about it.
Hope i've helped in some way, i remember how difficult it is choosing!!
Gemma
I think you would suit being a buyer philly!x
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