Urban Code Magazine

Archive for May, 2011

Let’s get one thing straight – to be a fashion designer you’ll need to possess a formidable range of skills and personal qualities. Be honest with yourself, evaluate the extent to which you possess these skills and qualities otherwise you’ll eventually run into obstacles in your attempts to be a fashion designer.

First and foremost you need talent. This encompasses a wide range of skills including drawing, sewing, research, vision and creativity. Without a high level of natural talent you can never be a Joules fashion designer.

The fashion industry is tough and competitive – you need to be prepared to use your abilities to give yourself an edge over your rivals. This only comes through having the confidence to truly believe in what you’re doing and the assertiveness to deliver.

Without a high level of ambition and the necessary commitment to achieve that ambition you may struggle. You have to be prepared to work hard yet remain open to learning. Displaying high levels of flexibility and using criticism from others in a positive way will allow you to adapt in what is an ever-changing environment.

Effective communication skills are a must. If you can’t explain, listen, negotiate or delegate you’ll struggle. Likewise organisational skills – if you can’t plan and co-ordinate you simply won’t finish jobs on time. Part of this comes from being able to make quick decisions and accepting responsibility for those decisions.

If you want to be a fashion designer then you need to accept the fact that you’ll also be running a business. That means being able to spot opportunities as well as carrying out the more mundane tasks that are part and parcel of running a business. You’ll need to be able to show leadership and be prepared to take a few risks if you want to achieve real success.

On a more artistic level you’ll need to be imaginative and creative to generate new ideas. Without a genuine ability to visualize, draw and paint in two dimensions you won’t be able to deliver innovation which is the energizing force of fashion design. Joules Clothing The same can be said for color sense and the many practical skills that go into making a fashion designer.

To be a fashion designer means being prepared to work as part of a team. You’ll need to enjoy group activities and recognize you’re only part of a bigger picture that draws from the input of many players. This calls for a friendly, calm temperament, patience, humour and at times a little bit of humility.

The one personal quality that pulls all of this together is having a real passion for fashion – without this the other skills and personal qualities become undermined and you’ll find it difficult to be a fashion designer.

If you feel you possess these qualities then don’t give up until you cover all the steps you need to take to become a fashion designer.

The fashion world has long been filled with glitz and glamour. The ramp for models is always long, dramatic, and well-lighted. The walk is certainly a walk for fame, fortunately for aspirants but sometimes leading to a walk for shame. Who is behind all these promises and/or even breakdowns? No less than the fashion designers.

What, exactly, does a fashion designer do?

Basically, with streaks of talent, creativity, and sensitivity, fashion designers, as if influenced by Rumpelstiltskin, craft accessory and clothing sketches. They usually concentrate in one nature of accessory or garment such as women’s or men’s apparels, swimwear, lingerie, children’s garments, handbags, and even shoes. They, sometimes, lead the groundwork of the creation and promotion of their creations.

Famous fashion designers prefer to be self-employed and they cater for the request of their clients. Some cater to high-fashion department stores or to specialty stores. They establish fashion statements by setting the colors, silhouette, and type of materials that are worn each season.

There are also some designers who are employed by manufacturers of clothes. These designers just adapt fashion statements set by other designers for the market. However, there are small manufacturers who just purchase or copy designs.

Both designers sketch unique garments and follow certain trends in fashion. Likewise, both need assistants who should get used to the fast-paced schedule of the fashion business.

In detail, these designers execute the following tasks:

• Draw their unique designs.
• Create patterns for sample garments.
• Choose textile and add-ons (accessories).
• Apply tailoring and basic dressmaking principles along with draping techniques and flat pattern works.
• Fit and alter the completed product, if necessary.
• Set-up a fashion show.
• Compare the performance of the merchandise against the competitors.
• Keep self up-to-date of latest fashion trends thru magazines and other fashion shows.
• Have frequent trips to fabric showrooms to keep self updated of latest type of fabrics.

Actually, fashion designers can be categorized as follows:

1. Lead or Head Designers
They take care of the executive and creative tasks.

2. Assistant or Apprentice Designers
They usually make patterns and sample garments. They may also teach sample makers how to make patterns and designer garments.

3. Specialty Designers
They coordinate with other designers about special lines of garments.

4. Costume or Theatrical Designers
They usually create costumes used in theater and movie productions on a contractual basis.

The foundations for their creations are their knowledge, skills, and abilities honed in fashion schools and trainings in the long run.

• Basic Design – This refers to technical know-how included in the creation and use of technical blueprints, drawings, plans, and models.
• Idea Production – This is the ability of designers to approach problems creatively and resourcefully.
• Dynamic Learning – This is being able to analyze implications of new information and materials at hand.
• Operations Scrutiny – This is considering requirements of products to execute a design.
• Uniqueness – This pertains to unusual cleverness vis-à-vis trying situations.
• Harmonization – This is being able to having good coordination with others.
• Visioning – This is being able to see how an organization works under real conditions.

The talents and skills of these artists are really important in the fashion industry. The work requires an eye for a striking creation and business management. Thus, aside from the portfolio of their usually creations, formal education help these designers acquire the secrets of the trade in this business. In fact, graduation from a college or school that provides training on fashion and design is highly recommended in the industry, to keep incoming designers updated on the advent of new techniques and technologies.

However, some leaders of this industry view vocational training schools and community college as more capable of producing competent artists because these institutions work along with clothing industries.

Vocational schools provide trainings in sketching, draping and grading, pattern making, garment construction, textiles and trimmings, costume history, principles of design and color; and how to plan and market seasonal fashion lines.

High school students inclined in fashion and design should finish basic courses in arts, sewing, mathematics, speech, English, and business.

Usually, vocational institutions provide a two-leveled program with certificate that is consonant to the degree in Associate of Arts. For those who want to enter the fashion field immediately, a first level certificate of proficiency is provided. The next level of proficiency, the second-level requires a greater time of completion. But upon graduation, artists are considered competent enough to aim for positions as Assistant Designers. After all the necessary formal trainings and specializations, those who have the guts and high hopes spin gold fabrics!

Fashion clothing was worn only on the runways till a few years back, and it was only a people who flaunted such clothing. Over the years, the fashion industry has evolved, providing designer clothing not only for women but for men as well.
If you want to purchase different hot styles in clothing for men, you will need to find out detailed information first by conducting research online. Fashion clothing in the recent times has found its own unique place on the clothes racks of not only women but men as well. Designer clothing can also be worn for everyday use.
This clothing line is accessible in different parts of the world at many of the popular departmental stores. You are admired and envied when you flaunt designer clothing. In fact you should take pride in wearing clothing designed by many of the popular designers of the world.
Highly skilled craftsmen are appointed by reputed fashion clothing designers who do a skillful job in designing clothes, cutting fabric meticulously and generating mix and match mens designer clothes in unique styles. Materials used are of extremely high quality due to which the designer clothing for men is sold at higher prices, but the deals are always worth it.
Different styles accommodate different customizations too. Trousers for formal use are created in a range of styles, designs as well as cuts and accordingly men can select an option. Trousers can also be used as office wear besides using them on occasions that are special. Make sure the trousers are paired well with the right kind of designer shirts, designer ties, belts, cufflinks etc thus forming a combo that is perfect in elegance, style as well as comfort.
Cotton shirts are the most desirable and reliable choices as formal clothing and match almost any trousers. The double breasted suit in its classic black color is also a popular choice in designer clothing for men. Besides this, the double breasted blazer, suits in worsted wool of high quality, the two button shirt etc rule the roost as far as fashion clothing by designers for men is concerned.

Westfield London Shopping Centre, located in White City/Shepherds Bush in West London, was opened at the end of October 2008. The centre covers a retail floor area of 150,000m², the equivalent of about 30 football pitches.

Westfield London, with its glass roof providing a bright and airy shopping environment, is said to be London’s largest shopping centre, and the largest urban area indoor shopping centre in Europe.

With a distinctive mix and match of designer and high street labels, Westfield London offers the ultimate London shopping experience. There are more than 265 shops from over 15 countries under one stunning roof – plus 16 brands that have never been seen in the UK before.

It also has a new high-end retail area called The Village, retailing brands such as Burberry, De Beers, Dior, Gucci, Louis Vuitton, Miu Miu, Mulberry, and Tiffany & Co – arguably establishing The Village at Westfield London as London’s third biggest luxury retailing centre after the West End and Sloane Square retail destinations.

Westfield London is designed to bring you the latest trends for all seasons. There’s a huge choice of stores to choose from including all your favourite High Street brands and four flagship department stores including House of Fraser, Next, Debenhams and Marks & Spencer.

Men’s fashion stores include:

* Barön Jon which offer a wide range of designer names and famous high street brands including Versace, YSL, FCUK, Milan Collection, Lambretta & Peter Werth,

* Camel Active, which specialises in masculine and modern casual wear.

* David Mayer Naman for the cosmopolitan man who wants a total look uniting international style with Italian taste.

Women’s fashion stores include:

* Blanco, the Spanish brand, which sells fashion clothing and accessories for urban young women

* Coast which specialises in stunning occasion-wear.

* Donna Ida stocks a constantly evolving line-up of top denim labels and you can expect great service along with up-to-date advice on current trends.

Children’s fashion stores include:

* Atelier de Courcelles, which has an innovative and creative concept dedicated to luxury childrens’ wear.

* Polarn O. Pyret from Sweden focuses on smart, functional and playful clothes for babies and children to age 11 years

* Pumpkin Patch provides the ultimate one-stop kidswear that is totally kid-friendly, comfortable and fun.

There are great facilities within the shopping centre to enhance your shopping experience, including:

* Several restaurant areas including:

The Loft, on the second floor, where you will find restaurants such as Byron, Nando’s. Pizza Express and Spaghetti House.

The Balcony, on the First Floor, where you can enjoy exotic cuisines from Mexico, Japan, Vietnam, India, Italian, Lebanese, and the traditional English Fish & Chips.

The Southern Terrace Restaurants, outside the main shopping complex, include restaurants such as Balans, Ciao Baby Cucina, Del’Aziz, Fire & Stone, Gourmet Burger Kitchen, The Real Greek, Wahaca and Wagamama.

There are also plenty of cafes and juice bars scattered all over the shopping centre – try Apostrophe or Butler’s Chocolate Café.

There are many comfortable resting areas where you can take the weight off your feet and recharge your batteries before continuing with your shopping.

Westfield London is a children-friendly environment with spacious, pushchair-friendly malls and plenty of lifts. There are three Family Rooms to help deal with meltdown moments when shopping with kids – two on the Ground Floor and one on Level 1 Retail near The Balcony.

Kiddy Cars are free to hire (up to four hours) to keep your kids entertained, and can be picked up from the Concierge Desk on Ground Floor.

If you are accompanying a disabled person, you can book a free wheelchair or motorised scooter and make the most of the wheelchair-friendly malls and restaurants.

It also hosts exciting events such as catwalk shows. At the end of September 2009, Westfield London teamed up with celebrity stylist William Baker to create a catwalk show – Westfield London Style 2009.

If you missed the fabulous catwalk show,here are some of the images he sent down the catwalk.

Westfield London is a popular shopping complex with the locals as well as visitors. Make Westfield London one of the “Must See” places next time you visit London.

The opening hours, information on how to get to Westfield London and hotel accommodation are as follows:

Standard Opening Hours

Mon – 10am – 9pm Fri – 10am – 10pm

Tues – 10am – 9pm Sat – 9am – 9pm

Wed – 10am – 9pm Sun -12pm – 6pm

Thurs -10am – 10pm

How to get there

By Tube

Four Underground stations provide easy access:

- Shepherd’s Bush and White City on the Central line

- Wood Lane and Shepherd’s Bush Market on the Hammersmith & City line.

By Bus

Bus routes 31, 49, 207, 237, 260, 607 and C1 will run from their current terminus at Shepherd’s Bush via the Westfield Interchange and on to terminate at the White City bus station. Route 148 will run to the bus station via Wood Lane.

Shepherd’s Bush also continues to be served by buses 72, 94, 95, 220, 272, 283, 295 and N207, to bus stops within a short walk of Westfield London.