Fashion and Clothing - Lincoln Christ`s Hospital School
Transcription
Fashion and Clothing - Lincoln Christ`s Hospital School
Working in Now on the internet www.connexions-direct.com/ wifashandcloth fashion & clothing Includes 18 real-life case studies covering: Designing Production Displaying and marketing Design, Arts and Crafts Contents 2 What is this booklet about? It is one of over 40 in a series covering many work sectors, subjects and careers. Each book contains a number of case studies showing people in a variety of jobs. All telling you how it is – including the good things and the bad. Designing Footwear designer Fashion designer Clothing pattern cutter/grader Each job shows you what qualifications you will need, what training you can get and how much you might be paid. Also, you will see which route each person took in getting that job. Handbag designer 7 Production How can I find out more? Look on the website www.connexions-direct.com/jobs4u which contains background information on these featured jobs plus many more. You can talk to your Connexions personal adviser who will help you research more details. Or you can contact one of the organisations listed at the back of the book. Tailor Clothing alteration hand Leather machinist Knitwear product development assistant How can I contact Connexions? Footwear manufacturing operative In person through a Connexions personal adviser who might be based at your school, college or reached at your local Connexions centre. By telephone, text, webchat or e-mail through Connexions Direct. Open seven days a week, between 8.00am and 2.00am. Clothing packer Merchandiser Assistant cloth buyer Check out www.connexions-direct.com or look in the telephone book to find your local centre. Or ring 080 800 13219 or text on 07766 413219 for Connexions Direct. Other formats of this booklet are available – for details see back cover. Textile technologist 18 Displaying and marketing Fashion model Fashion photographer Key to salary icons Fashion adviser up to £12,000 Fashion writer/stylist Knitwear buyer £12,001 to £17,000 over £17,000 This represents the typical starting salary for the job featured in the case study. 24 Further reading/ Useful addresses Working in fashion & clothing So you want to work in fashion and clothing? The fashion and clothing industry offers an exciting range of careers for young people at all levels and employs nearly half a million people. Even though the manufacture of clothes, shoes and textiles increasingly now takes place overseas, the UK still maintains a significant base, provided by numerous small companies often centred in specific geographical areas. Fashion is not all about being a designer. Only about one-in-ten of the 3,000 fashion graduates each year finds work as designers. Most of these are far more likely to be interpreting trends for a High Street retailer than using their own original creative designs. This booklet aims to give you an idea of some of the other interesting jobs available, as well as case studies of designers in different parts of the industry. Is a degree in fashion an advantage? Sometimes, yes – for some careers a degree or Higher National Diploma (HND) may be the only way in. The most common route is to take a foundation course in art and design before starting a design degree. One of the advantages of a degree course is that it often includes a module on business studies. This could be a great help if you go on to set up your own business as a designer or making clothes, or if you decide on a career in buying, merchandising or many of the other jobs available. However, there are many other routes of entry into the sector – specific technical courses, Apprenticeships and NVQs/SVQs. Courses which focus on the technical aspects of textiles and garment technology, including IT applications, are also invaluable, both for design and other careers. What else do I need to consider? It is important to be flexible and to keep your options open. Many companies within the sector offer work experience to young people, and this provides a real insight to the working environment. Whatever career you decide upon, you will need to be prepared to work hard, which can involve putting in very long hours, especially if you are running your own business. What sort of skills and qualifications are needed? Practical and creative skills are very important for many of the jobs featured here. If you are still at school, take every opportunity to develop these skills, whether they are in photography, art, craft, design and technology, sewing, fixing and repairs or making things. Experience of using computer-aided design (CAD) programs and other IT applications is also a great help. Literacy and numeracy are important, and for some jobs you will need science qualifications to an advanced level. Are Apprenticeships available? Clothing and textile companies are keen to improve the training which is available for young people. A wide range of Apprenticeships (Skillseekers in Scotland) is now available, including sewing, IT, administration, warehousing and distribution, engineering, and customer services. What else can give me a head start? Experience gained as a sales assistant in clothing or footwear retailing will give you an insight into the industry and customer knowledge. Prepare a portfolio of art and design or other practical work that you can take to a job interview and lso use for college or university applications. Part-time courses, at a local college or adult education institute, can also provide you with valuable skills and will show an employer that you are willing to undertake further study. Make sure you are well informed about the area you are applying for and read relevant magazines, books and websites. 1 Designing The design world is fast moving and exciting. If you’re creative and passionate about fashion, a career in design could be for you. Fashion designers are trendsetters, but often meet fierce competition and have to work long hours. Footwear designer Footwear designer Beatrix Ong designs ladies’ shoes and is the owner of a London-based business. She has just opened her first shop selling her own original designs. Beatrix finds time to market her shoes at trade fairs throughout the world. What is your role? My job involves designing shoes and bags, seeing them through from concept to production, as well as controlling and implementing business strategies. What does your job involve? Researching ideas for future collections is the first part of the design process, which can involve travelling anywhere in the world. After making some rough drawings in my sketch book, I compile a mood board, with inspiration for colour, fabric and shape taken from a range of sources including poems, pictures and people. The shoes may be made in soft leathers, or other fabrics such as raffia or silk. I then design and develop the lasts and heels. The last is the model of the shoe, with the correct dimensions, that I sketch my design onto. This is then sent to the manufacturer who produces the shoe. Are there any other aspects to your job? Attending fashion events and participating in trade fairs in New York, Las Vegas, London, Paris and Milan are all part of my job. I also hold regular meetings with my team in London, to discuss progress and to implement strategies for the growth of the business. 2 Promoting the brand is an important part of my work, involving regular interviews and events. I work in collaboration with fashion designers for fashion shows and also design and consult on collections for other brands. What hours do you work? Why did you decide to run your own business? It’s important to me that everyone in the company really enjoys their work. I make sure that it is a relaxed atmosphere and we play music in the background. I work with an assistant, a sales director, a finance director, the press office and my manufacturers. I wanted the chance to create my own designs. I was also challenged by the prospect of making shoes that were comfortable enough for women to wear during the day, and yet special enough to be worn in the evening. Beatrix’s route • BA (Hons) in Graphic and Media Design. • Footwear design course. • Designer at Jimmy Choo. • Designer at Lulu Guinness. • Short course in business management. • Launched own collection. Beatrix’s tips • Learn as much as you can and don’t expect to stop learning. • People skills are very important. Normally, I work from 8.30am to 6.30pm, but with the travel and running my own business, I regularly work longer hours. What is the working environment like? What personal qualities and skills do you need? You need to be artistically creative and to have a sound business mind. Most importantly, you need to really enjoy your work and be passionate about it. It also helps to have computer skills – we use creative computer packages such as Adobe Photoshop and Quark, alongside Word, Excel and Entourage. Why did you choose this career? A shoe comprises 20 different components and I love the challenge of creating something beautiful but practical. Also, running the business allows me to be artistic in other areas. Working in fashion & clothing Fashion designer Fashion/clothing designer What do you enjoy about your work? I love meeting so many different and interesting people. How do you see your future? I’m hoping to slowly expand the range and to see the business grow. Related jobs Fashion/clothing designer Footwear designer Leather craftworker Product designer Retail buyer Textile designer Salary information Footwear designers in their first job might earn around £14,000, rising to around £25,000 with some experience. Senior designers could earn between £30,000 and £40,000. Getting in • A degree in footwear or product design is the usual way into this very competitive career. A portfolio of art work is essential, and many people complete a foundation course in art and design before their degree. • Some universities offer degrees which include footwear design, including the London College of Fashion’s BA Product Design and Development for the Fashion Industries and De Montfort University’s BA (Hons) Footwear Design. • The London College of Fashion offers a one-year diploma course in footwear design for those with experience in other areas, and an MA course in fashion footwear. Short courses are also available. Miranda Kirwan works as a senior designer of women’s fashion clothes at the London head office of High Street fashion retailer, River Island. Her team produces two collections of new clothes each year. What is your role? What does your job involve? I am responsible for three different departments within smart ladieswear, which include blouses and dresses, tailored clothing, coats and leather garments. These product areas have their own designer who I supervise, alongside two departmental assistant designers and a design assistant. Together, we produce two main collections each year, divided into spring/summer and autumn/winter. At any given time I am working on design collections, both for the following season and for next year’s season. I have a number of themes, such as cowgirl or American-influenced, around which I develop a series of different garments for each season. Miranda’s route • BTEC National Diploma in General Art and Design. • BA (Hons) Fashion Design. • Designer/Creative pattern cutter. • Design room manager. • Design manager – evening wear. • River Island designer, and then senior designer. Miranda’s tips • Confidence and self-belief are essential. • Try to find work experience with a company you would eventually like to join. • Make sure you have a strong portfolio. I develop the garments from the initial sketches right through to the manufactured products, working closely with other teams including our buyers. To help me with design ideas, I visit other High Street retailers and markets in London and overseas. I also attend fashion fairs in Paris, Florence and New York. What happens after the initial sketches of a new design? The next step is to prepare a detailed specification, which includes the choice of fabric, buttons, trims, thread, stitch size and pockets. I then liaise with our sample room manager, before a sample garment is made up. If we are happy with the garment we proceed to a series of ‘fit meetings’, which might involve making small changes, before our manufacturers make a further sample. Once accepted, the garment moves into full-scale production. 3 Designing What else do you do? Attending meetings with our buyers and sales managers, to review sales and develop our ranges, is a big part of my working week. These meetings enable us to respond to changes in fashion trends quickly, and ensure we bring the latest and most popular fashions into our stores. What are your working hours? I usually work from 9.30am until 6.00pm, although I sometimes need to work later in the evening if we are busy. What is your working environment like? I work in a large open plan environment with all the designers and the sample room team. The atmosphere is relaxed and friendly, with a great creative buzz. What skills do you need for this type of work? Creativity and strong communication skills are essential, combined with an assertive and confident approach to present your ideas effectively. The ability to work in a team is important in such a competitive, fast-moving environment. Good drawing skills are also important, although computer drawing packages are available to help in this area. What do you like about your job? I love the fast-changing and exciting environment. I find the busy atmosphere stimulating. Fashion has always been my hobby and I really enjoy following the trends and developing new looks. Is there anything you dislike? Balancing several different demands can be challenging at times. How do you see your future? I would like to continue within the company and progress to a more senior role in management. 4 Related jobs Clothing pattern cutter/grader Costume designer Footwear designer Retail buyer Tailor/dressmaker Textile designer Salary information Starting salaries for junior designers can be between £12,000 and £17,000. With experience, this may rise to around £24,000. Senior designers can command salaries of over £50,000. Jennifer Coyle is a pattern cutter and grader for Aero Leather Clothing, a Scottish company that makes and restores leather jackets. These include flying jackets from World War II as well as other specialist garments. Getting in • Most designers have degree or HND qualifications. Many courses are available, and those which include business studies and clothing technology can be advantageous. In England and Wales, many students complete a foundation course in art and design before their degree. • BTEC national diploma courses in fashion and clothing are also available, which can lead to degree or HND options. • A portfolio of art and fashion design work is normally essential for entry to courses. What is your role? My job is to make the patterns needed for our clothing, which may involve making new patterns from scratch, or using existing clothes to make a pattern. I also grade the pattern into different sizes. What does your job involve? I make the patterns using special blocks which give me the basic shape, and then these are developed according to the different designs. A typical jacket block pattern would include pattern pieces for the front and back body, sleeves, collar, facings and the lining. To restore an old jacket, my job might involve making the pattern for a new lining. I also help the fabric cutter with the laying out of the fabric, which is then cut using a special machine. What is pattern grading? Grading the pattern begins by drawing around a base pattern size, which can then be reduced or enlarged to produce clothes across a range of sizes. I do this manually, although larger companies might use a computer. Working in fashion & clothing Clothing pattern cutter/grader Clothing pattern cutter/grader What is the working environment like? How do you see your future? The sewing machines make the environment fairly noisy, and there can be quite a lot of dust and fibres from the fabrics. I would like to develop my design skills further, possibly working on ladies’ leather jeans and jackets. Do you work alone? No, I liaise closely with other members of the manufacturing team, including the cutter and sewing machinists. This helps to ensure that the finished garments are of the highest quality. What are the challenges in your work? Leather is much more difficult to work with than other fabrics and requires special consideration in terms of the way it handles and drapes. What personal qualities and skills do you need? What hours do you work? I usually work a normal day from 9.00am until 5.00pm. Each new pattern takes around two to three hours, with a new pattern grading taking around an hour and a half. Jennifer’s route • H grades in English, chemistry and Latin. • BSc Degree in Clothing Design and Manufacture. • Six-month university placement with Aero Leather Clothing. • Pattern cutter. Jennifer’s tips • There is great competition for jobs in this changing industry – it’s important to work hard and aim for the highest marks at college. • Visit potential colleges and check course content. • Have confidence in your ability, because anything is possible if you put your mind to it. Accuracy is vital – you need to be prepared to check and re-check your work to ensure the pattern fits together properly. You also have to be very logical and able to think things through clearly. Numerical skills are important for working out the right measurements needed for different sizes. Why did you choose this career? I like being creative and have always been interested in fashion, sewing, dressmaking and crafts. My degree has enabled me to develop my creative skills further. What training have you done? My degree course included pattern cutting and when I started with the company I shadowed an experienced worker. Do you use any special tools? I use scissors, measuring tapes, rulers and a set square to enable me to draw parallel lines for grading. What do you enjoy about your work? I find it rewarding making garments for people who may have difficulty getting clothes to fit, due to their size and shape. Is there anything you dislike? The noise of the sewing machines in the factory can make concentration difficult. Related jobs Clothing sewing machinist Costume designer Fashion/clothing designer Leather technologist Retail buyer Tailor/dressmaker Salary information Salaries can vary greatly. Pattern cutters might start on around £12,000. With experience this could rise to £20,000, and very skilled staff could earn more. Getting in College or university based training is usually essential. Available courses include: • City & Guilds 7802-27 Pattern Cutting and 7802-71 Computer Pattern Cutting. • BTEC National Diploma in Clothing and Fashion. • HND courses in fashion and clothing related subjects. • Degree courses in fashion and clothing. A portfolio of design work is often necessary. • NVQs/SVQs in Manufacturing Sewn Products at Levels 1 and 2. 5 Designing Handbag designer Fashion/clothing designer Sophie Scott is based in London and works as a handbag designer for Jane Shilton. Part of her role is researching and developing new ideas, which involves overseas travel. What does your job involve? Are there any other aspects to your job? At the start of a new season, I travel to New York, Paris, Milan and Hong Kong to look at fashion trends in the designer shops and department stores, as well as attending trade fairs and visiting London shops. I also work closely with a company who updates me on the latest styles and colours. Regular meetings are held with the design team, chairman and sales director, where we discuss ideas and develop the range. I travel overseas regularly, attending trade fairs and markets to source materials for the handbags, including leather, nylon, fabric and polyurethane. I also work closely with our Hong Kong office. Sophie’s route • • • • Foundation course in Art and Design. Degree in Jewellery and Silversmithing. Short course – Design for Handbags. Self-employed, selling own range of handbags. • Handbag designer. Sophie’s tips • Experience gained using IT design packages is invaluable. • Gain knowledge of the industry by reading fashion magazines, using the internet and visiting factories if possible. • Be energetic and passionate about what you do! 6 How do you actually design a handbag? Once the research phase is underway, I sketch ideas and then use a computer drawing program to produce a detailed technical drawing. I need to consider size, shape and colour, and also the fabric, linings, stitch colour, trims and zips. This detailed drawing is then sent to a pattern cutter, who will make a sample of the handbag. What hours do you work? I work from 8.30am to 5.30pm each day, with occasional extra hours if needed. What is the working environment like? Jane Shilton is a family business and the working environment is very friendly. The design room is spacious and light. Who do you work with? There are three designers in our team. I also work closely with our chairman, sales director and overseas contacts. What personal qualities and skills do you need? You have to be very artistic and creative, with an eye for current trends. The ability to sketch ideas is also important. Excellent communication skills are needed to ensure our ideas are interpreted correctly, both within the design team and with our overseas suppliers. Why did you choose this career? I have always loved art and design. Although I studied jewellery design, I had the chance to design handbags in my final year, using my own gold and silver fastenings. A tannery sponsored me to make my own range of handbags. After graduating, I sold my range of leather bags at craft fairs and undertook private commissions. Working in fashion & clothing The production side of the fashion industry offers a wide range of job opportunities. Those working in production have the satisfaction of bringing designers’ creations to life and delivering them to the customer. Tailor What about the training? Before joining the company, I completed an intensive course in handbag design and construction. Since then, all my training has been on the job, working alongside experienced designers. Do you use any special equipment? Special design packages on the computer help me with my work. What do you enjoy about your work? I love the travel.The job is constantly changing and is always exciting. It’s so satisfying to see someone wearing a handbag that I have designed! Related jobs Footwear designer Leather craftworker Product designer Retail buyer Textile designer Salary information Handbag designers in their first job might earn £17,000 a year, rising to around £23,000 with experience. Senior designers could earn from around £30,000 to over £40,000. Getting in • A degree in fashion or a designrelated subject is essential for this very competitive career. A portfolio of art work is essential, and many people complete a foundation course in art and design before their degree. • Some universities offer degrees which cover accessory design, including the London College of Fashion’s BA Product Design and Development for the Fashion Industries. • Short courses in accessory and handbag design are also available. Tailor/dressmaker Stanley Tow is a tailor working for Kilgour in Savile Row, a highly prestigious company making bespoke clothing for men, including royalty and celebrities. He became an apprentice as soon as he left school. What is your role? How is the jacket finished? My job is to make made-to-measure jackets of the highest possible quality, using a combination of hand and machine sewing techniques. The jacket pieces are handed to me by the cutter, who meets the customer to take measurements and to discuss the choice of design, fabric and trims. After a further fitting with the customer, which may result in alterations, the jacket is sewn by machine, with the addition of the linings, breast and outside pockets. Each buttonhole is hand sewn, followed by the buttons. Throughout the process I use a steam iron to shape and press the fabric. How do you start to make a jacket? My first task is to work out from the pieces I am given the style of the jacket, be it single or double breasted, and the number of buttons and pocket designs. Using hand sewn tailor tacks, I mark the position of buttonholes, front edges and seams. After this, I carefully cut out the canvas and other fabrics which form three layers inside the jacket. This essential preparation helps to give weight and shape. These layers are then loosely stitched into the front piece, known as the forepart. In a similar way, I stitch the other sections of the jacket together – first the back seam, followed by the shoulder, collar and sleeves. Darts are sewn by machine, giving additional shape. What hours do you work? I work freelance and I’m paid for each completed garment. I can therefore choose my hours – I usually work from 8.45am until at least 6.00pm, including Saturdays. Each jacket takes between two and three days to complete. Stanley’s route • • • • Apprentice cutter. Apprentice tailor. Tailor – various companies. Tailor – Kilgour. Stanley’s tips • Visit tailors to find out about the job. • Develop an interest in clothes and how they are made. • Experience of making your own clothes is an advantage. 7 Production What is your working environment like? I work in a small workroom with another tailor, next to other workrooms with tailors and cutters. The atmosphere is friendly, with everyone working hard together to produce top quality menswear. What personal qualities and skills do you need? Patience is the most important quality, particularly when you are learning your craft. You also need to be practical, with an interest in sewing. I am paid for each jacket I complete, so the ability to work very accurately at speed is essential. Why did you choose this career? My mother always made clothes and as a child I played with her sewing machine. When I left school, I worked as an apprentice cutter for two years and then became an apprentice tailor. What training have you received? My apprenticeship took five years to complete. Different companies also have their own way of tailoring and, if you move around, you will learn new skills. All of my training has been on the job, learning from an experienced person, perfecting and practising my own skills and gaining speed. What are the main challenges? If you make a mistake you need to be very persistent to work out what is wrong and rectify the problem, perhaps by unpicking a seam. Very light or heavy materials can also be more difficult to sew. I ensure each jacket I make is better than the last. Related jobs Clothing alteration hand Clothing pattern cutter/grader Clothing sewing machinist Costume designer Fashion/clothing designer TV/film/theatre wardrobe assistant Salary information The starting salary for an apprentice tailor is around £9,000. An experienced tailor could expect to earn £23,000. Highly skilled and experienced tailors can earn as much as £50,000. These earnings are often based on piece work. Getting in • Some people enter tailoring following a BTEC national certificate/diploma, a HND or degree course in fashion or clothing. However, it is still necessary to complete lengthy on-the-job training or an Apprenticeship, which usually takes over three years. • City & Guilds 7822 Level 2 Certificate in Design and Craft has a tailoring option. • The London College of Fashion offers relevant courses, such as the Certificate in Handcraft Tailoring and the Diploma in Production Tailoring. • Short courses in tailoring are often available, as well as City & Guilds sewing courses. • Skillfast-UK is developing an Apprenticeship in tailoring, and a group of tailors in Savile Row is organising accredited Apprenticeships. What do you enjoy about your work? I love everything about this job – it’s very satisfying to see a quality garment at the end of the process. I also enjoy making clothes for famous people. 8 Lucy Welsh works as a self-employed dressmaker in the Midlothian area of Scotland. Working from her own studio, she makes and alters garments for customers, mainly women’s day and eveningwear. Sometimes, she makes new clothes for customers. What does your job involve? A customer might bring me a skirt or a dress to be shortened or taken in at the seams. A more complex alteration could be shortening the sleeves of a tailored jacket. Having pinned the garment, I then alter it using the sewing machine, or by hand. If a customer requests a new garment, I then make the garment in the chosen fabric, using the sewing machine. At the next fitting I check the finer details, such as hem length, strap length and positioning. The garment is then completed, using machine and hand sewing, ready for customer collection. What sort of equipment do you use? I use an industrial sewing machine, an overlocker to sew fabric edges, an iron, scissors, a set square, a pattern wheel and a tape measure. What hours do you work? I usually work from 9.00am until 7.00pm about four days a week, although I might finish later if I’m really busy. I combine my dressmaking business with a part-time fashion retail job. Working in fashion & clothing Clothing alteration hand Clothing alteration hand Why did you choose this career? A love of sewing since childhood led me to this career. At school, I also enjoyed art and had a strong interest in fashion. What are the main challenges? Meeting deadlines and managing your own time can be a challenge – you have to be very organised to run your own business. Related jobs Do you work alone? What is the working environment like? Although I sew alone, there is a lot of contact with customers and suppliers, both in person and on the telephone. My purpose-built studio is light and airy, and I work surrounded by fabrics, threads and trimmings. Lucy’s route • HND in Fashion Design with Technology. • Degree in Fashion Design with Technology. • Worked in fashion retail. • Alteration hand. • Seamstress – evening and bridal wear. • Own business as dressmaker/designer. Lucy’s tips • Try to gain experience, perhaps in a clothing alteration shop during school or college holidays. • Take every opportunity to study art-based courses. • Take business studies as well as fashion and clothing, as this will help you if you set up a business in the future. What personal qualities and skills do you need? You need to be patient, organised and able to plan ahead in a logical way. Good communication skills are also important, as you have to be able to express your ideas clearly. Creativity is essential and the ability to draw is an advantage. What do you enjoy about your work? It is very satisfying when a customer has had an input into the design and you have made a garment they like. I also enjoy being my own boss. Working with fabrics gives me the chance to be creative. Is there anything you dislike? I find it hard to take time out from designing and sewing to do the book keeping, which is a core part of running your own business. What about the training? Much of the training has been on the job, although I learnt a lot about garment construction at university. Clothing alteration hand Clothing pattern cutter/grader Clothing sewing machinist Costume designer Fashion/clothing designer TV/film/theatre wardrobe assistant Salary information Salaries for a trainee usually start at £9,000. More experienced dressmakers might earn £14,000, and this can be considerably higher for successful dressmakers/designers. Self-employment is common and income can vary greatly according to the type of work you do. Getting in • Formal academic qualifications are not always necessary to start work as a clothing alteration hand. However, sewing craft or fashion courses are a great advantage. • City & Guilds offer the 7822 Level 2 Certificate in Design and Craft with a Fashion Wear option, and the 7815 in Basic Sewing Skills. • A wide range of BTEC national certificates/diplomas, HNDs and degree courses in fashion and design provide training and skills for this field. • Apprenticeships (Skillseekers in Scotland) may also be available. 9 Production Leather machinist Clothing sewing machinist What sort of equipment and tools do you use? Julie Kelly works as a machinist technician for a company that makes leather jackets. Each jacket is unique and presents different challenges. Julie also repairs specialist leather clothing. I use a heavy duty sewing machine designed for working with leather and another machine to sew the linings. A sharp knife helps me to make precise cuts on the leather. Sometimes the leather needs to be pressed down on the seams using a hammer, and I also use pliers to reduce the number of teeth in a zip. How do you see your future? I would like to stay within the same company and develop my skills in training others in the work. What does your job involve? When making a new jacket, I am given all the necessary pre-cut pieces. It is my job to sew the garment together correctly following individual specifications, using a heavy duty industrial sewing machine. I specialise in sheepskin and it is important not to make any mistakes when sewing, as it is very difficult to rectify afterwards. The other part of my job is making repairs to old jackets which are of great value to their owners. This can include anything from inserting zips and renewing stitching, to replacing worn linings. Much of this work involves hand sewing as well as machine work. What are your working hours? I work from 8.30am until 5.00pm from Monday to Thursday, and until 2.00pm on Fridays. A new jacket takes me about two and a half hours from start to finish, whilst restoring an old jacket can take two days. Do you work alone? No, I work as part of a team of eight people, including my manager. 10 What skills do you need for this type of work? Patience and meticulous attention to detail are vital, along with the ability to concentrate for long periods and to work accurately at speed. Why did you choose this type of work? After leaving school I trained as a hairdresser, which I didn’t enjoy. The advertised post for a general assistant here looked interesting. I have always enjoyed practical work. What did your training involve? My training for this work has been on the job. Very experienced staff in leather machining are always on hand to help. I have also completed a certificate in first aid. Julie’s route • General assistant – clothing company. Julie’s tips • A high level of motivation and commitment is essential. • Be prepared to start at the bottom of a company and turn your hand to anything. Related jobs Clothing alteration hand Clothing pattern cutter/grader Tailor/dressmaker Textile technician TV/film/theatre wardrobe assistant Upholsterer Salary information A clothing sewing machinist might expect to earn between £12,000 and £14,000 with some experience. Salaries for new staff may be lower, and those with extensive experience could earn in excess of £16,000. A leather machinist is paid around £15,500. Getting in • Formal academic qualifications are not needed, although experience using a sewing machine is often essential. • Apprenticeships are available, leading to NVQ/SVQ Level 2 in Manufacturing: Sewn Products. Apprenticeships in clothing at NVQ/SVQ Level 3 are also offered. • Relevant City & Guilds courses include Basic Sewing Skills 7815 and Clothing and Knitting Crafts 4600. Working in fashion & clothing Knitwear product development assistant Manufacturing production planner What is the atmosphere like? Jackie Nason works as a product development assistant in Nottingham for the designer, Paul Smith. She is part of a team which produces top quality ladies designer knitwear. Her job involves trips abroad to seek new raw materials. What is your role? My job involves co-ordinating all the technical aspects of the production of ladies knitwear, including jumpers, cardigans and jackets. Working closely with our design team, I follow this process through to our suppliers, ensuring quality finished products. I work in an office environment, in a team of ten technical and support staff. There is a friendly atmosphere. It can be hectic at times, but I love the buzz when we reach our goals! What personal qualities and skills do you need? You need strong communication skills, along with tact in dealing with both the manufacturers and designers. In addition to technical skills and experience, a flair for colour and style, plus a love of fashion is vital. My job also involves a lot of administration, including dealing with the manufacturers to ensure the whole process runs smoothly within tight deadlines. What hours do you work? I usually work from 8.30am to 5.00pm each day. Occasionally, I work late if we are busy. Once I have finished the technical specification, I instruct our manufacturer to make a sample. On receipt of the completed garment, I check the dimensions and quality, making changes as necessary. What else do you do? I go to Italy twice a year to visit yarn fairs, where I source the raw materials for our knitwear. I am always looking out for new products, such as sheer, lightweight yarns and those with elastic in their composition, which give shape and stability to the garments. The yarn suppliers give me swatches that I pass to our designers. Clothing pattern cutter/grader Fashion/clothing designer Knitting machinist Quality control inspector Retail buyer Textile technician Salary information What does your job involve? From a designer’s sketch I use a specialist computer design package to develop a technical specification. I advise on the selection of suitable yarns, as well as the amount and thickness. Working out detailed measurements and the fit of the garment is also part of the job. Related jobs Jackie’s route • GCSEs. • Assistant with a leather manufacturer. • Assistant – Jaeger Knitwear. • Part-time Degree in Textiles and Knitwear Technology. • Knitwear product development assistant – Paul Smith. Jackie’s tips • It is important to be fully trained – aim for a specialist clothing technology degree. • Organisational skills are important as they help with the administrative aspects of the job. Knitwear product development assistants can expect to start on around £17,000. Salaries for experienced staff are usually between £20,000 and £25,000. Getting in • Degree or HND qualifications are normally essential. • A limited number of specialist fashion knitwear courses are available, although a general fashion design or technology course would provide a good background for this career. • Entry is with a good portfolio and either a foundation course in art and design or a BTEC National Diploma in Clothing, or equivalent qualifications. 11 Production Footwear manufacturing operative Footwear manufacturing operative Colin Wilson works as a heel scourer for Church’s and Co in Northampton, a manufacturer of traditional gentlemen’s hand-finished shoes. Each pair of shoes takes eight weeks to make and his job is to create a perfect finish to the heels. What is your role? My job involves scouring shoe heels to give a smooth and fine finish. I occasionally help with staining the sole, using ink to ensure the colour matches the leather on the uppers, and rubbing up the outside of the soles, using wax to create a perfect heel. What are your working hours? I work from 7.30am until 4.30pm from Monday to Thursday, with half an hour for lunch, finishing at 12.30pm on Fridays. Who do you work with? I work as part of the finishing room team, although when I use the heel scouring machine I work alone. What is your working environment like? Church’s and Co is an old factory building, with three levels of floors for different types of work. I work on the ground floor, which is warm and light. What special skills or qualities do you need for your job? Accuracy is important, as a perfect finish to the shoes is vital. This is a very practical job, so the ability to work with your hands is important. You also need to be able to work at speed. 12 The heels that are passed to me for scouring are rough and unfinished. I use a special scouring machine, which has differing abrasive wheels, to achieve the desired finish. Knowing how to apply the right amount of pressure to the heel is an important skill I need. Why did you choose this type of work? Previously, I worked as a butcher, which I didn’t enjoy. I decided to change my career and I heard about this job through my family. As I have a hearing impairment my mother came to the interview with me to act as an interpreter. Colin’s route • Apprentice butcher. • Footwear manufacturing operative – Church’s and Co Footwear. Colin’s tips • Try to get experience of practical or mechanical work. • Keep an open mind about what you want to do in the future and be prepared to undertake training and try new things. What did your training involve? All my training has been on the job. When I started, an experienced operative showed me how to use the heel scouring machines and the inking and rub up processes for heels. What challenges do you face? Each day presents a challenge, as I have to get people’s conversations translated by writing or gestures. I attend company meetings with a sign language interpreter who helps me understand the conversations – this helps a lot. Working in fashion & clothing Textile technologist Textile technologist What do you like about your job? This job gives me an opportunity to communicate with other people. Although I have hearing and speech difficulties, I tend to use gestures and writing for my conversations. Related jobs Clothing sewing machinist Engineering craft/CNC machinist Leather craftworker Leather technologist Shoe repairer Textile technician Salary information The minimum wages set by the shoe industry are £7,126 at aged 16 years, £8,144 at 17, and £10,180 for those aged 18 and over. Highly skilled experienced staff could earn well in excess of the minimum adult rate – up to around £20,000 a year. Getting in • Jobs in footwear manufacture are available in certain parts of the UK only; the largest area is Northampton. • Formal academic qualifications are not always necessary, depending on the job. English and mathematics at GCSE/S grade are helpful, along with practical subjects such as craft, design and technology. Practical skills and experience of using tools are a great advantage. Manual dexterity is very important and may be tested at interview. • NVQ/SVQ Level 2 in Footwear Manufacture, and Level 3 in Footwear and Leather Manufacture are offered. Apprenticeships are also available. A foundation degree in technical textiles with related modules in footwear is being developed. Sushank Agarwal is a textile technologist for Marks and Spencer and is based in London. His role is to make sure that their customers can buy clothes manufactured from the latest and most innovative fabrics. What does your job involve? What is the working environment like? Part of my job involves working with overseas manufacturers to develop exciting new fabrics for the next season’s garments. Developing contacts within textile manufacturing is important to keep up to date with new technologies. I do this by visiting manufacturers, fabric fairs and other High Street retailers. I work in an open-plan office alongside other members of the team, which is light, spacious and airy. Liaising with fabric testing houses is another part of my job, as all fabrics must meet the highest standards. I also visit fabric mills overseas to find new suppliers and check that they are complying with these standards. Are there any other aspects to your job? I also monitor stock quality using customer feedback. I need to ensure the fabrics we use meet our performance standards, for example, for colour fastness, tear strength and durability. This involves liaising with industry experts and dyeing and finishing technologists. What hours do you work? I start at around 8.30am and finish at 6.00pm. I can work longer hours when I’m overseas. I usually travel overseas about six times a year. Who do you work with? Our team comprises a garment technologist, a merchandiser and a product developer, as well as the manager. Two administrators provide valued support. Sushank’s route • A levels in chemistry, physics and mathematics. • Degree in Textiles Technology and Management. • Part-time retail work whilst studying. • Textile technologist – Marks and Spencer. Sushank’s tips • Try to develop leadership and team skills, perhaps through sporting activities. • Choose science subjects at school or college, particularly chemistry. • Retail experience is a great advantage as it helps to develop customer awareness. 13 Production What personal qualities and skills do you need? As well as a strong background in textiles, commercial awareness is essential, along with good analytical and leadership skills. A background in science, particularly chemistry, is useful. Why did you choose this career? The sciences were my favourite subjects at school and I love clothing and fashion. What about the training? My training lasted two-and-a-half years, beginning with a six-month period spent shadowing an experienced technologist. During the next year I was given more responsibility, dealing with customer service returns and visits to suppliers. In the final six months my role developed to that of a normal technologist, with responsibility for running the department. Do you use any special equipment? Computers are at the centre of our work and I also use some fabric analysis equipment, such as a magnifying glass to examine fabric construction. Related jobs Leather technologist Quality control inspector Retail buyer Textile designer Textile dyeing technician Textile technician Salary information A trainee graduate textile technologist might earn from £14,000 to £20,000. This could rise to between £25,000 and £43,000 with experience, rising above £50,000 for those in senior positions. Jonathan Bell works as a clothing packer for J Barbour and Sons, a company that manufactures waxed jackets and other outdoor clothing. He packs clothes into boxes and helps to dispatch the goods throughout the UK and overseas. Getting in • A degree in textile technology is essential. Courses with strong science content provide the best background. • Textile science and technology degree courses often require A levels/H grades in maths and either chemistry or physics, or equivalent qualifications. What do you enjoy about your work? Is there anything you dislike? There is great satisfaction when you have developed a major order for fabric which is then manufactured into popular garments. Overseas travel can be very demanding. On returning to the UK office, there is usually a backlog of work to catch up on. What are the main challenges? This job has a lot of responsibility, as I must always ensure the quality and range of new fabrics meet our high performance standards. What does your job involve? I use a computer to scan the different items of clothing which arrive from our manufacturing factory. They are then carefully packed into boxes, ensuring they are not crushed or damaged. It is important to use as few boxes as possible to minimise transport costs. The computer prints out labels for the boxes and I check the addresses to make sure they are delivered to the right customers. What else do you do? If we are not busy, I help out in other sections of the warehouse. This can include helping to off-load the products as they arrive from the factory and selecting the goods ready for packing. Some shops have their own special labels and I attach these to the garments. How do you see your future? I would like to become an industry expert within the same company, progressing to head of technology. 14 Do you use any special equipment? Once the boxes are ready, I use a motorised pallet truck to move them to the dispatch area, as well as a special stacker for the larger ones. A special tape gun helps to ensure the boxes are securely fastened. All of our systems are computerised and we share one computer between two people in the warehouse. Working in fashion & clothing Clothing packer Clothing packer Has the company provided any training? On joining the company, I spent two weeks shadowing another member of the packing team, learning all aspects of the job. The company has also provided training in health and safety, and is now introducing NVQ Level 2 qualifications in Packaging Operations. What do you enjoy about the work? I enjoy the busy and friendly atmosphere. There is great satisfaction in completing the work to a high standard. Is there anything you dislike? The work can be hectic and you have to be careful not to make mistakes, which can be costly. What hours do you work? What is the working environment like? I work an eight-hour day from 8.00am until 4.30pm each day, with half an hour for lunch. Overtime is available during peak operating periods. The working environment is fast paced and friendly – we all work hard together. The warehouse can become hot in the summer and cold in the winter, but the company provides special clothing to keep us comfortable. Who do you work with? There are 13 of us in the packing team, as well as a team leader. Jonathan’s route • GCSEs. • GNVQ Intermediate in Leisure and Tourism. • Canvasser with double-glazed windows company. • Clothing packer with J Barbour and Sons. Jonathan’s tips • Be willing to work hard. • The ability to work well alone and as part of a team is important. • Try to maintain a good level of fitness, perhaps by playing a sport. What skills and qualities are needed for this role? Patience is the most important quality. You need to be hard working with a positive approach. The ability to use a computer is also necessary, as is the need to be fit and healthy due to the physical demands of the work. Related jobs Assembler (Light industry) Lift truck operator Removals operative Warehouse worker/manager Salary information Starting salaries for packers are usually around £8,500, rising to £11,000 with experience. Pay could rise to £16,000 and above for jobs requiring additional experience, or for supervisory roles. Getting in • Formal academic qualifications are not usually needed, although GCSEs/S grades (A-C/1-3) in English, maths and ICT (Information and Communication Technology) are an advantage. • You need practical skills, with the ability to work at speed. This is sometimes tested during the interview. Knowledge of computers, or a willingness to learn, is important. Physical fitness is also an important requirement for most jobs. • NVQ/SVQ Levels 1 and 2 in Packaging Operations are available. 15 Production Related jobs Merchandiser Merchandiser Salary information Farhan Wasti works as a merchandiser for River Island, dealing with approximately 200 stores across the UK and Ireland. He ensures all the stores have the right stock levels of men’s knitwear, which involves keeping extensive sales records for each store. Getting in Who do you work with? Each season, the buyer and I make a series of decisions about our new range of knitwear, in terms of colours, styles and prices. Using a specialist software system, I extract previous sales figures to help predict what will sell well in our shops. I am responsible for managing and developing an allocator, senior allocator and an assistant merchandiser. We also work closely with the buying team and have regular meetings with our designers, and fashion and buying directors. Are there any other aspects to your job? Gauging what customers want is vital. This involves monitoring sales and liaising with our factories in Hong Kong to ensure supply meets demand. Organising repeat garment orders and the transportation of goods, by air or ship, is also a key responsibility. What hours do you work? Our office hours are 9.30am until 5.30pm each day, although I occasionally need to work later during busy periods. 16 An assistant merchandiser might earn from £18,000 to £27,000, depending upon experience. Merchandisers are paid between £25,000 and £35,000, rising to £55,000 for senior positions. What does your job involve? Managing the distribution process of garments is one of the major elements of my role. Deciding on the appropriate quantities and styles for each store is based on a number of factors, such as store size and location. Certain lines go to every store, whereas some of the more high fashion orientated lines are selected for specific stores. Distribution manager Purchasing manager/administrator Retail buyer Sales assistant Sales manager Store owner/manager What are the main challenges? You have to constantly think on your feet, make quick decisions and always be flexible enough to adapt to customer demands. Farhan’s route • • • • • Degree in Business Decision Analysis. Retail experience with River Island. Allocator – River Island. Assistant merchandiser – River Island. Merchandiser – River Island. Farhan’s tips • Retail experience gives you an understanding of the fashion market. • Numerical skills are a great advantage. • Personal qualities are important in the retail industry and if you combine talent with working hard, promotion is usually possible. • A degree is normally required in a business related subject or another relevant discipline, such as fashion or retail management. • Some companies offer graduate training schemes and may accept graduates in any subject, if they can offer strong analytical skills. • Numeracy and analytical skills are important and may be tested at interview, although maths A level/H grade is not essential. What personal qualities and skills do you need? Merchandisers need a combination of analytical and numerical skills to analyse and interpret data. Excellent organisation and time management skills are also essential. A sense of humour helps to keep the job in perspective! Why did you choose this career? Having always loved fashion, I found a temporary opportunity in a local River Island store after graduating. I really enjoyed the work and my manager encouraged me to consider a career with the company. What do you enjoy about your work? I love the buzz when I see garments I have put into the stores selling well. The team atmosphere here is great and we also enjoy socialising together outside of work. Working in fashion & clothing Assistant cloth buyer Buyer What do you enjoy about your work? Joanna Cattanach works as an assistant cloth buyer for Jaeger in London. She helps to source and buy the fabrics needed to make sample garments. Part of her job involves regular contact with fabric suppliers throughout the world. It is very satisfying seeing clothes for sale in the shops, knowing that you have been part of the team responsible for their production. What are the main challenges? If I make a mistake, thousands of metres of expensive fabric could be wasted. The job therefore carries responsibility, although my manager and the rest of the team are always available to offer support. Working within the timescales can also be a challenge. How do you see your future? What is your role? Do you have a typical day? My role is to assist the cloth buyer at Jaeger. I work closely with fabric mills to ensure we can source the latest fabrics for the collection and maintain high quality standards. My first task each morning is to respond to my emails. The rest of the day is spent on a wide range of tasks, including developing new designs, prints and colourways, and sourcing new base fabrics and suppliers. I also manage our fabric budget, deal with invoices and chase the mills for deliveries. What does your job involve? Keeping in regular contact with fabric suppliers around the world is an important aspect of my work. Visiting trade fairs and shows is another way I keep up to date with fabric trends and fashions. I meet regularly with our buyers, designers and cloth manager to develop colours and cloth for new garment ranges. Joanna’s route • Degree in Textiles and Fashion Design Management. • Assistant merchandiser. • Assistant cloth buyer – Jaeger. Joanna’s tips • Keep a scrap book of all your ideas. • Work experience is a big advantage. What hours do you work? I work from 9.00am until 5.15pm, although I can work longer hours if we are very busy. Do you work alone? No, I work closely with the cloth manager, who is my boss. We work as part of a team with the buyers and designers, collaborating to research and develop ideas. What is the working environment like? I work in bright and airy open-plan offices. The atmosphere is very friendly and energetic. What personal qualities and skills do you need? You need to be hard working and able to prioritise a huge volume of work. A diplomatic approach to problem solving is also important, along with communication skills. I would like to continue learning as much as possible and to progress within the company. Related jobs Clothing pattern cutter/grader Fashion/clothing designer Merchandiser Purchasing manager/administrator Store owner/manager Textile designer Salary information An assistant cloth buyer might earn between £20,000 and £24,000. A junior buyer may earn from £24,000 to £30,000. Experienced buyers can earn between £30,000 and £40,000, with higher salaries possible for head buyers in charge of large departments. Getting in • Buying as a career is very competitive, with many more applicants than vacancies. • It is often necessary to start as an administrator and you will usually need a degree or HND qualification, either in fashion, business or a combination of the two. 17 Displaying and marketing Jobs in this area involve promoting the finished product. Even the best designs do not sell themselves! The following people ensure new designs are seen by the right people in the right places, encouraging profitable sales. Fashion model Fashion model Trevor Oram is a fashion model for menswear, modelling designer clothes on the catwalk and for fashion magazines. He is self-employed and travels all over the UK. However, being self-employed, he has to get involved in keeping his own business records. What does your job involve? Modelling agencies contact me on a regular basis to check my availability. As well as editorial work for fashion magazines, my job involves commercial modelling for advertising. I might be offered a job for two hours, a half day, or a longer booking. On a photographic shoot, the designers usually pick the outfits they want me to model. In any one session I may have to change garments up to ten times. The photographers take dozens of photographs of me to achieve different looks or angles. Depending on the shoot, I might be standing for long periods. Are there any other aspects to your job? Trevor’s route • GCSEs. • Institute of Business Management – Diploma in Management. • European Computer Driving Licence. • IT consultant. • Fashion model. Trevor’s tips • Always have another career behind you, as continued success is never guaranteed. • Don’t spend lots of money on expensive photographs – often family photos can be enough to begin with. Also, beware of expensive courses which may not be beneficial. 18 Models are self-employed, so I have to know all about running a business and paying tax. I also need to contact the photographers so I can have copies of their shots for my portfolio. What hours do you work? The hours can be long and sometimes involve evening or weekend work, particularly for catwalk modelling. Most sessions start at about 9.00am and are finished by 5.30pm, excluding travelling time. Occasionally, I could work until midnight. I combine my modelling career with a regular day job in IT. What is the working environment like? You can be working in all weathers, often modelling summer garments on a cold day. Photographic lighting can make the working conditions hot. What personal qualities and skills do models need? A lively and confident personality is important. The ability to build rapport with photographers is essential, as they will then recommend you to the model agencies. You have to be fit and healthy too. You also need to be organised and reliable, as you are running your own business. It is important not to take the inevitable rejections personally. What do you enjoy about your work? I really enjoy the social aspect of the work and travelling around the UK. I love wearing designer clothes and seeing the successful photographs. Working in fashion & clothing Fashion photographer Photographer How and why did you become a model? I have enjoyed being photographed since childhood. When I was at college, friends suggested that I should try modelling to earn some extra money. I had a few professional photos taken and went around all the modelling agencies until I was offered my first job. Related jobs Actor/actress Beauty consultant Beauty therapist Dancer Fashion/clothing designer Make-up artist Antony Crook is a freelance fashion photographer based in Manchester. He creates images of people for fashion magazines, public relations companies and designers. He worked as an assistant after getting his photographic degree. Salary information Modelling does not provide a secure salaried income and models are selfemployed. Pay varies dramatically according to experience and each individual job. Models might earn between £50 and £150 for a job lasting half a day, whilst a top model can command several thousands of pounds a session. Many combine modelling with another job. Getting in • Academic qualifications for this highly competitive line of work are not essential. Excellent physical appearance, with clear and healthy skin, good teeth, hair and hands are all vital. There are also height restrictions for models. • Do not spend lots of money getting a portfolio of photographs – just send two pictures and your details to agencies which are part of the Association of Model Agents. • A fashion related college or university course may be an advantage, and will provide you with skills for other areas of the industry. Be wary of private modelling courses, as they rarely lead to a career in modelling. What is your role? What hours do you work? On behalf of advertising agencies, it is my role to employ and co-ordinate the whole team of people involved in a photographic shoot. I often work seven days a week, which usually involves long hours. A shoot may include working to midnight or beyond. I also go overseas about six times a year with the job. What does your job involve? Before starting a job, I need to choose the right team of people, which includes make-up artists, models, hairdressers and stylists. Although the stylist puts the outfits together, I also influence this. Choosing appropriate locations and organising props, which could include anything from a horse to a phone box, is also my responsibility. I work with assistants who set up the equipment, such as lighting and cameras, and I choose the right film for the job. Then I start taking the photographs, which could take anything between one hour and three weeks. Liaising with specialist photographic laboratories is also part of my work. What equipment do you use? I use medium format film and highresolution digital cameras. Freelance photographers need their own lighting and each year I invest a lot of money in new equipment. What is the working environment like? I work in a stimulating and creative environment, with lots of interesting and friendly people. Antony’s route • • • • • A levels in art, geography and history. Foundation course in art and design. Degree in Photography. Assistant photographer. Photographer with own business. Antony’s tips • If you want to be a fashion photographer, be prepared to work long hours. • Look at photographs all the time, especially of people. 19 Displaying and marketing Who do you work with? I work closely with my photographic assistants and with the whole team involved in a shoot. Liaising with a range of other people, including photo laboratory and prop hire staff, is also part of the work. What personal qualities and skills do you need? You need to be determined, hard working and creative. A confident approach is essential and you also need a resilient personality in this industry. Technical skills to operate the cameras and equipment are also vital, although you will learn and develop these in the job. What training have you done? Although I greatly benefited from my photography degree, I learnt the most working as an assistant with an experienced photographer. My training has really involved learning on the job. What do you enjoy about your work? I am paid to see the world and I like being my own boss. The job is creative and involves working alongside other like-minded people outside any normal nine to five routine. There is nothing I dislike! What are the main challenges? Commissioning people for a job, co-ordinating the whole process and communicating with those involved can all be challenging. As a freelancer, I am running my own business and I have to pay all the people I employ in advance. How do you see your future? My future will definitely be in photography! 20 Related jobs Graphic designer Multimedia designer Photographic stylist Photographic technician TV/film camera operator Salary information Most fashion photographers work on a freelance, self-employed basis. The starting pay is usually low and in addition they need to buy their own equipment. A day rate for a magazine might start at £150, rising to £600 for someone with experience. For other branches of fashion photography, the most experienced photographers can command over £3,000 for a day’s work. Getting in • Fashion photography is a highly competitive field and you will normally need to start at the bottom as an assistant. A portfolio of your own photographic work is essential. • Most photographers have undertaken formal training, either at college or university. A wide range of specialist courses are available, including City & Guilds, BTEC national certificates/ diplomas, HNDs and degrees. Amanda Slader works as a ladies fashion adviser for John Lewis in Welwyn, Hertfordshire. She offers impartial advice to customers about the style and colours of outfits that they are considering buying. What is your role? Customers book an appointment with me for a variety of reasons. They may simply need help with general styling or choosing an outfit for a special event. For others it may be a major event in their lives, such as changing job, surgery or illness, having a baby, or weight loss or gain, which leads them to re-assess their wardrobe. What does your job involve? Each customer is given a 90-minute slot, and I usually spend the first five minutes discussing their needs, lifestyle and clothing preferences. Sometimes the customer accompanies me around our sales floor to select clothes from our ranges, although others prefer to relax with some refreshments whilst I do this. Afterwards I assist with the trying on of the clothes, always aiming for a co-ordinated look to help build a wardrobe that works for them. Encouraging women to be adventurous and to mix garments from different designers and manufacturers, is all part of the process. Customers are under no obligation to buy anything, but if they do decide to make a purchase I arrange this for them, avoiding possible queues. Working in fashion & clothing Fashion adviser Image consultant Is there anything you dislike? The job can be physically tiring as you are on your feet all day. There are times when it is emotionally draining as you deal with sensitive issues. How do you see your future? I would like to get more involved in giving outside fashion presentations to groups in the local community – something I have already started in schools and health clubs. Are there any challenges in the work? How do you keep up to date with all the in-store fashions? As soon as garments are delivered to the store you might find me in the delivery department looking at new ranges! I also spend a lot of time on the shop floor, so I know what is available. What else do you do? I usually see four customers a day, after which I prepare our suite ready for the next day. Responding to emails, writing up notes about the customers I have seen, and marketing and developing are all part of my job. What hours do you work? My job is part time and I work from 9.30am until 6.00pm, three days a week. What skills and qualities do you need for this job? Tact, discretion and maturity are all essential to deal with people from all walks of life. You need to enjoy working with people and have the ability to put them at their ease. Good communication and time management skills are needed. A well-groomed appearance is also important. What made you choose this work? Amanda’s route • A levels in geography, law, geology and economics. • Management trainee – John Lewis. • Fashion adviser – John Lewis. Amanda’s tips • Working as a fashion adviser is great if you want to make a difference to how people feel about themselves. • The work can be very pressurised and demanding. • Work experience can provide a useful insight into the job. Helping someone overcome a negative self-image can be a challenge, but it is one that I enjoy. Having joined John Lewis after leaving school and gaining experience in different management roles, this job offered me the opportunity to use all of my skills. I have always been interested in fashion and current trends. Have the company provided any training? When I started the job, the company provided a consultant for me to shadow. I am now involved in coaching other people in this role. What do you enjoy about the work? I love giving people confidence – this job is all about improving people’s self-esteem. Related jobs Make-up artist Retail buyer Sales assistant Store owner/manager Salary information Salaries can vary greatly. The average starting salary is around £12,000. This could rise to £18,000, with the most experienced earning in excess of £20,000. Getting in • Academic qualifications are not always needed, although experience of fashion retail work is essential. Some companies provide on-the-job training. • Personal qualities and skills are very important, including the ability to relate to different types of customers. Maturity is also required. • A commercial awareness and knowledge of fashion are important. 21 Displaying and marketing Fashion writer/stylist Journalist Luanne McLean is deputy fashion and beauty editor for Star magazine and OK! magazine’s fashion supplement, Hot Stars. She is based in London and co-ordinates the models, clothing and photographers to provide pictures for fashion features. What is your role? What does your job involve? What is the working environment like? Each weekly magazine has eight pages of fashion and beauty. I organise and co-ordinate everything to make sure the features will be exciting for readers. This can include writing the copy, arranging photographic shoots and choosing clothes and accessories for celebrities to model. At any given time, I am working on the magazine pages for editions three weeks ahead. The beauty page usually has one feature on a subject of interest, related to hair or make-up, as well as beauty news about the latest products. The open-plan office is often hectic and noisy, with phones ringing constantly! Luanne’s route • A levels in business studies, art and design, fashion and textiles. • Degree in Textiles and Fashion Design Management. • Work experience – Daily Express group. • Fashion and beauty assistant – Daily Express group. • Deputy fashion and beauty editor – Star and OK! Hot Stars. Luanne’s tips • Try to find work experience on a magazine by sending in your CV. • Keep in touch with the fashion world by attending galleries and exhibitions, and reading magazines and books. 22 How do you keep in touch with the latest fashions? Regular contact with press officers, both for designers and High Street retailers, is essential. I also attend fashion shows and events. Magazines and television programmes also help to keep me updated. Do you use any special equipment? Specialist computer software is used all the time, to help with the layout and photography. What hours do you work? My day usually starts at 10.00am and finishes at about 7.00pm, although occasionally I work longer if necessary. Who do you work with? Our team comprises the editor, a fashion and beauty editor, an assistant and a work experience trainee. What skills and qualities are needed in your work? You need to be a good organiser with strong communication skills, as the job involves lots of contact with people over the phone and in person. Excellent and concise writing skills are also imperative. What made you choose this work? I have always loved fashion and reading about it in magazines and books. This job combines all of my interests. Working in fashion & clothing Knitwear buyer Buyer Related jobs Advertising creative copywriter/director Copy editor Journalist Photographer Photographic stylist Public relations officer Salary information The starting salary for a graduate is normally between £14,000 and £18,000, although first jobs which provide vital work experience may pay considerably less. With several years of experience this could rise to around £25,000. Fashion editors may earn in excess of £45,000. Getting in • A degree is usual for this highly competitive area of work. Applicants have usually studied a fashion/design discipline or a specialist fashion journalism course. Some courses offer a combination of the two. • Undergraduate degree courses include fashion marketing and promotion, fashion journalism and fashion styling. • Relevant postgraduate courses are also available. How did you train for the job? I have not had formal journalism training, although whilst studying for my degree I wrote articles on fashion for the university newspaper. Most of my training has been on the job. What do you enjoy about the work? I love the variety and the fact that each day is so different. The job is also very creative and I have every opportunity to contribute my own ideas to the magazines. Elaine Campbell is a knitwear buyer for New Look, based at their head office in Weymouth. She works closely with suppliers and manufacturers in the UK and overseas to ensure each store has sufficient supplies of knitwear. What is your role? Does the job involve working long hours? My job is to co-ordinate all the ladies’ knitwear throughout our stores, ensuring the ranges meet customer demands for fashion, style and quality. I normally work from 8.30am until 5.30pm, although I might work until 8.30pm if we are very busy. Overseas travel is also part of the job – I usually visit New York and Hong Kong for a few days each year. What does your job involve on a weekly basis? During the first part of the week, I look closely at our sales trends and examine which knitwear lines are selling well. I may need to contact our manufacturer and order larger quantities of a garment which our customers like. Wednesdays involve meetings with other buyers and designers. We discuss and review trends and plan for the following seasons. As a buyer, I have considerable input into the choice of designs. The rest of the week can involve visiting our retail competitors in London, meeting with suppliers to negotiate prices, and sometimes making minor alterations to the shape or fit of a garment. How do you keep in touch with fashion trends? As well as ensuring I am up to date with High Street competitors, fashion websites provide me with information about what is happening on the catwalks and in the fashion world. Elaine’s route • BTEC National Diploma in Textile Design. • Degree in Textiles and Fashion Design Management. • Administration assistant, knitwear buying department – New Look. • Assistant knitwear buyer – New Look. • Knitwear buyer – New Look. Elaine’s tips • You need to be passionate about fashion and really determined to succeed. • Try to get some work experience in the industry, perhaps during college or university holidays. • A degree that includes fashion and business studies is invaluable. 23 Displaying and marketing Further information Further reading (Some may be priced) Look Ahead: A Guide to Working in Fashion, by Gillian Sharp, Heinemann Library Working in art & design – Connexions Magazines Drapers Do you work alone? I work in a team of eight people, including an administration assistant, an assistant buyer, merchandising staff, an allocator and a garment technologist. What personal qualities and skills do you need? You need to be hard working, ambitious and determined. A strong interest in fashion and commercial knowledge are equally important, along with a willingness to accept high levels of responsibility. What do you enjoy about your work? I love getting paid to look at clothes! The friendly environment makes the job really enjoyable. Is there anything you dislike? The long hours can be demanding, although this can vary according to the time of year. Winter is much busier, as there is more knitwear in the shops. What about training? My training has been mainly on the job, working my way up in the department. New Look has sent me on various courses, including presentation and management skills. Why did you choose this career? I have always loved fashion and clothes, and I wanted to work in the High Street retail industry. What are the main challenges? Buyers need to be able to react to fashion trends and sometimes it can be a challenge to get the garments into the store quickly enough. Knowing exactly what our customers want can also be challenging, but is one of the most important aspects of the job. 24 Related jobs Clothing pattern cutter/grader Fashion/clothing designer Merchandiser Purchasing manager/administrator Store owner/manager Textile designer Salary information A buyer’s administrator might earn between £13,500 and £16,000. A buyer’s assistant could earn from £17,000 to £28,000. Buyers, depending on their experience, can earn salaries of between £30,000 and £55,000. Getting in • Buying as a career is very competitive, with many more applicants than vacancies. It is often necessary to start as an administrator and you will usually need a degree or HND, either in fashion, business or a combination of the two. • A portfolio is part of the selection process for most fashion courses. i www.drapersonline.com Vogue i www.vogue.co.uk For further details on careers look on the Connexions jobs4u website i www.connexions-direct.com/jobs4u Working in fashion & clothing Useful addresses Skillfast-UK – the Sector Skills Council for the clothing, footwear and textile industries Richmond House Lawnswood Business Park Redvers Close Leeds West Yorkshire LS16 6RD p 0113 2399 600 i www.skillfast-uk.org Careers website i www.careersinclothing.co.uk British Clothing Industry Association 5 Portland Place London W1B 1PW p 020 7636 7788 City & Guilds 1 Giltspur Street London EC1A 9DD p 020 7294 2800 i www.city-and-guilds.co.uk Textile Centre of Excellence Textile House Red Doles Lane Off Leeds Road Huddersfield West Yorkshire HD2 1YF p 01484 346500 i www.textile-training.com UCAS – Universities Central Admissions Service Provides information on all fashion and related degree and HND courses in the UK Modelling The Periodicals Training Council (PTC) Association of Model Agents (AMA) Queens House 55-56 Lincoln’s Inn Fields London WC2A 3LJ 122 Brompton Road London SW3 1JD p 020 7584 6466 Photography p 020 7404 4168 i www.ppa.co.uk The Association of Photographers Retail 81 Leonard Street London EC2A 4QS Skillsmart Retail Ltd – the Sector Skills Council for the retail industry p 020 7739 6669 i www.the-aop.org Fashion Design The Design Council 34 Bow Street London WC2E 7DL p 020 7420 5200 i www.designcouncil.org.uk i www.londonfashionweek.co.uk Footwear Manufacturing and Design British Footwear Association 3 Burystead Place Wellingborough Northants NN8 1AH 40 Duke Street London W1A 1AB p 020 7399 3450 Retail Career Line – freephone p 0800 093 5001 i www.skillsmartretail.com Textiles The Textile Institute 1st Floor St James’s Buildings Oxford Street Manchester M1 6FQ p 0161 237 1188 i www.textileinstitute.org p 01933 229005 i www.britfoot.com Journalism National Council for the Training of Journalists NCTJ Training Ltd Latton Bush Centre Southern Way Harlow Essex CM18 7BL p 01279 430009 i www.nctj.com i www.ucas.ac.uk Working in fashion & clothing was written and researched by Sarah Marten. Apprenticeships Apprentices learn on the job, building up knowledge and skills, gaining qualifications and earning money all at the same time. There are different levels of Apprenticeship (Skillseekers in Scotland) available, but they all lead to National Vocational Qualifications (NVQs), Key Skills qualifications and, in most cases, a technical certificate such as a BTEC or City & Guilds, in subjects such as Business, Design, IT, Media & Printing, Public Services, Sport, Sport & Exercise Science and Travel & Tourism. Check out more details at i www.apprenticeships.org.uk 25 Jobs which might interest you in the fashion & clothing sector include: Clothing alteration hand Clothing pattern cutter/grader Clothing sewing machinist Costume designer Display designer/visual merchandiser Fashion model Footwear designer Footwear manufacturing operative Image consultant Knitting machinist Leather craftworker Leather technologist Merchandiser Packer Tailor/dressmaker Textile designer Textile dyeing technician Textile technician Check out further details about some of these jobs at www.connexions-direct.com/jobs4u Other formats This publication is available in Braille and on audio cassette. Please telephone DfES publications on: 0845 602 2260 (select option 2), or email: [email protected] to order copies. A pdf and text only version is available online at www.connexions-direct.com/wifashandcloth You will be able to use your PC to enlarge the text. Extracts from this document may be reproduced for non-commercial education or training purposes, on condition that the source is acknowledged. Feedback We welcome feedback on Working in fashion & clothing. If you have any thoughts on the information in this booklet, or how it is presented, please contact VT Careers Management at [email protected]. ISBN: 0-86110-897-3 ©Crown copyright 2005 Produced by VT Careers Management for Connexions.