Sunday, 11 April 2010

www.boardsportsource.com

I have just stumbled upon an AMAZING website that I will definitely be using in the future. The website is used by professionals in the surf skate and snow business. It includes product trends, retail news, brand profiles and industry jobs. Essentially it is like a 'Drapers' for the board sport sector.
The job listings includes vacancies with Rip Curl and Volcom. It also includes industry news. I want to have my finger on the pulse of what is going on in the industry so that I can stand out from other applicants in job interviews!

The Future of British fabric/tecnology

I first heard about smart fabrics when Apple and snowboard-wear company Burton collaborated on the worlds first wearable electronic jacket. The Burton Amp Jacket is a snowboarding jacket with I pod controls built into the sleeve

London fashion week saw collections including LED lighting and T-shirts with videos. It is an exciting time to be a designer. Smart fabric producer Luminex have created a glimmering fabric that is made by weaving fibre optics into the fabric.

I think in the future new science will mean that people will be wearing garments that actaully interact with the environment that they are in. There is no limit to the possibilities of British fabric technology. However I think that it will be a long time until these fabrics are a part of main stream fashion. For example are these pieces practical? How can you wash them?. In the mean time I think that this technology may be more succesfull in accessories as it is on a smaller scale and may be more practical.

The Future of Eco Fashion

As the recession eases sustainable brands are showing rapid sales growth.
Recent research by Mibtel has shown that sales of ethical clothing have quadrupled in the past 5 years. This is likely to be due to increased availability and quality. Eco fashion was once associated with frumpy casual basics but there are now high street and independent ranges producing stylish and fashion forward ranges.
One or my favourite eco-conscious brands is surf and snow brand Sutu. The range includes organic cotton pieces produced in carbon neutral factories. Pieces include illustrations inspired by South American art.








I think that the success of sustainable/eco fashion will grow and grow. The facts that sales have grown during a recession suggest that shoppers are happy to pay for the emotional attachment to ethical practices.
Eco fashion is such a huge subject area with so many different aspects. I find it very interesting and think that it is possibly a subject that I would like to write my dissertation on next year. I am certain that it will be put to use in years to come as it is such a current issue that I am sure I will come across in my future career.

BA or Fda?????

I can't believe it is coming to the end of the final term already it has gone so quickly! I have decided that I would definitely like to continue my studies as I feel there are more things I would like to improve on before I go onto the work place. Especially with the current economy I think I would regret it if I decided not to do the third year and spent the year unemployed when I could have been improving my skills. However I am still a little unsure about which option is right foe me. There are benefits to both BA Fashion studies and BA Fashion technology.
I will be having a tutorial in the coming week which may help me decide. At the moment I feel that the Fashion technology top is best suited to me because I think that I am a vocational learner and would really benefit from an extended work placement. I have also considered the fact that if I take this route I can still pick a design pathway in my third year without making a collection. Although I have enjoyed designing my own collection I have found the construction side very challenging. In the third year I would like to work to a design brief using the computer. I also feel this would be more suited to the job role I would eventually be applying for.

Saturday, 10 April 2010

My Dream Job




When I graduate after completing the BA top up I hope I will be well equip to apply for a position as a Junior Designer. I would like to work in the youth/casual sector. After spending am hour looking for vacancies that I feel I would be eligible to apply for I was shocked at the lack of vacancies available. This demonstrated to me how difficult it is going to be to secure a job in Design.
However I am confident that I will because I am not going to limit my options by only applying for certain vacancies. I noticed when looking at listed vacancies that there were more vacancies abroad both in Europe and Asia. I would definitely consider applying for vacancies abroad because it would be a fantastic opportunity to improve my CV and would increase mt chances of being employed in the UK in the future. I also noticed that allot of companies were employing designers on a freelance basis. Often they were on a temporary basis from 1-3 days a week but some paid up to £300 a day!
After lots of research I have created my dream job profile below

EMPLOYER: Quicksilver/ROXY
LOCATION: California
SALARY: £20,00 p/a plus benefits
DIVISION: Design
SECTOR: teen/casual
JOB TYPE: Permanent

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES:

-Supporting teen/casual designer
-managing samples
-sourcing fabrics/trims
-creating mood boards and trend packs
-liaising with suppliers
-Creating technical/flat drawings to a high standard

This will be a fast paced and challenging environment and may include the opportunity to travel

Wednesday, 7 April 2010

I am currently in the process of trying to secure a work placement for the third year. I have made a few changes to my CV that I think will make it look more professional. I have tried to condense it so that it only lists relevant information as it was previously 3 pages long. I have also added a personal profile listing my strengths and
used a bullet point format throughout.

CV: Zoë Harvey

Contact Details

Zoë Harvey
Flat 24 Whitewater,
47 Sea Road
Bournemouth
BH5 1BP

07814146861

Personal Profile

- Creative problem solver
- The ability to spot and develop trends
- A good eye for colour texture and shape
- Understanding of production processes
- Experience in using ‘Photoshop’, Illustrator and Artworks

Education

Bournemouth Arts University College (current)
BA (hons) Fashion Design

Southampton Solent University
Foundation Fashion Design

Poole and Bournemouth College
Advanced Vocational Certificate- BC
Fashion design techniques and technology
Surface design
Fashion Illustration

Lychette Minster Upper School
11 G.C.S.E’S Grade A-C

Work Experience

Mudpie Aug-Sep 2009
(Trend forecasting and design agency)

- Creating colour swatches
- Researching emerging trends
- Vectorising images using ‘Corel Draw’
- General Office Administration
- Creating flat drawings

Mojo Surf (Coffs Harbor Australia) May-Oct 2008

Whilst travelling in Australia I spent 6 months working in a surf camp. It was here that I developed a passion for surfing. My job role was very varied but included looking after backpackers and helping organize surf lessons.


New Look (design dep.) Mar- Apr 07
(One month work placement

- Producing weekly ‘Press boards’ on ‘Photoshop to be sent to Buyers
- Photographing garments
- Creating fabric designs using ‘easyweave’ programme
- Putting together a trend presentation
- Colour reduction using the ‘easycolour’ programme
- Administration duties
- Making theme/story boards


Noyac Golf Club (Sag Harbor New York) May Aug 06

- Greeting guests
- Till work
- Money handling
- Function work



Liverpool Victoria Oct 06- April07
(Customer service adviser)

- Use of Microsoft Office
- Leasing with other areas of the business\
- Customer service


Hobbies and interests

I love to stay active and love to be outdoors. One of my passions is snowboarding I try to go to an indoor slope in between holidays; I also enjoy surfing and Pilates.

Drapers Record


WHAT IS DRAPERS RECORD?

Drapers Record is an industry focused magazine that provides information on the UK fashion industry. Subscribers to the magazine can also view the full content available online at www.drapersonline.com. You can however sign up to there email newsletter free of charge that provides more limited content than the magazine.

CONTENT

The magazine and website provides information on E-commerce, trends, catwalks, Independents, Multiples and the latest news. There is also a comprehensive list of jobs in the industry.

HOW CAN IT HELP ME?

I subscribe the the email updates from Drapers because I feel that if I want to have a career in such a fast paced industry I need to keep up with the latest news. The job section of the website is very good and also advertises vacancies for students and graduates.

Tuesday, 6 April 2010

Companies House

WHAT IS COMPANIES HOUSE?

Companies house is the Registrar of companies. All limited companies in the United Kingdom are registered at Companies House. Companies House also make information on limited companies available to the public. The website www.companieshouse.gov.uk also provides information for people running and starting new bussiness.

CONTENT

The website is easy to use and has links to information on how to obtain financial support, and how to register a new company. It also lists the variouse events that Companies House organize to support businesses. Users can also file important doccuments online.

HOW CAN IT HELP ME?

In the future I would like to start my own bussiness. There are variouse laws and legislations involved in business that I am unaware of. Browsing throught the website it includes guidence on how to register a new company. Before starting my own company I would like to be as informed and preppared as possible. This website can provide me with vital information that could give me the best chance of succeeding.

Thursday, 1 April 2010

Study India???

I have found out yesterday that I have been selected for the study India reserve list! I applied a while ago for Study India but didn't expect to receive a place when I found out that 1300 students from across the UK applied. The application was very lengthily and had some difficult questions. Out of the 1300 that applied a panel selected 200 applicants and a further 100 reserves. Apparently around 25% of the reserves will eventually get a place. So I am keeping my fingers crossed that somebody drops out. This was be an amazing opportunity for me. The 3 week programme includes a mixture of lectures sight seeing and volunteering. Even if I don't get in I am really happy that I have got this far and took the time to apply.