Last Day...

Well, I've finished! My last day was all pretty normal really apart from a 'Cake Party' to wish me good-bye which was lovely. I made sure my desk was clear and finished any outstanding jobs. The production team kindly bought me some chocolates and a gift and a card signed by the team.

Although in a way I am relieved the placement is over and I'm very much looking forward to going home, I was emotional leaving Jenny Packham feeling a huge sense of achievement. I am very pleased I undertook the placement at Jenny Packham and take away a greater knowledge and confidence.

Deadline and My Last Week...

So I'm in the last week of my placement, actually my last few days! It has flown by! More than I could ever imagine. I can't believe I've been here for three months!

My placement report deadline was today and unfortunately sending the several documents to AUCB has proved slightly difficult and stressful! Overall I'm very happy with my work for this deadline and I believe I have managed to well explain and relay my work placement experiences.

Going home time isn't far away now, I'm most looking forward to getting back to my friends and family and DEVON. I think one of the only things I will miss about London is Oxford Street, the hundred other shopping centres and the fashionable buzz and culture!

The end is in sight...

Today I discussed the date I will finish my placement with Anke and Nigel (Eveningwear) as December is fast approching. It looks like it will be between the 9th and 16th December. I am relieved to have a finishing date in mind and a final goal to work towards. 

The last week or two have been harder going than it has been for a while, mainly as I’ve had a lot of my own things to do yet I’ve still been working 9-5 and have had to fit my own work into the evenings. As I reach the end of my placement and we near Christmas, I have to admit I’m thinking more and more about home and how much I'm looking forward to being back there. 

In saying that I reckon, when it comes down to it, it will be hard to leave the place I have spent the majority of my time in the last 3 months, somewhere that has provided me with such a valuable experience and one I am proud of myself for :-)

Placement Report Draft Deadline & Jenny Packham Interview...

After a busy few days my placement report and presentation plan are pretty much complete and I have sent my first draft to my tutor. I think a draft deadline is a brilliant idea as it has pressurised me to get my report and presentation plan complete a couple of weeks previous to the final deadline, allowing me time to ensure it is the best it can be. Between now and 9th December (the final deadline) I plan to compile a draft slide show to include as part of my presentation plan.

Within my busy few days last week I managed to speak at length with Hayley (Bridal Coordinator Assistant) about the bridal industrial process in more detail to ensure my report is accurate. I also carried out my placement interview with Beverley Essam (Bridal Coordinator). I asked a number of questions relating to my report which I have outlined below. Beverley was extremely helpful and gave me detailed, in depth answers. She even let me record the interview which enabled me to concentrate on her answers and give feedback.

1. How would you describe the way in which your job works and fits into the broader fashion industry?

2. In essence, what is Jenny Packham’s marketing strategy?

3. You appear to have strong working relationships with your suppliers. Are there any rules and restrictions in place regarding the factories Jenny Packham employs to manufacture garments?

4. How do you consider the luxury fashion industry will evolve? Do you consider there to be any threats or concerns with regard to the future of your company?

More of the Same...

Yep, pretty much more of the same the last few days which is to be expected, several jobs I do are weekly tasks. I was sent into London briefly on Thursday which happened to be the first day of Versace's new collection at H&M - the queues were absolutely ginormous! Crazy. I later found out Donatella was actually at the store in Oxford Circus at some point throughout the day!

Other than that not much to report, deadline for placement report is really creeping up so I am very focused on that!

John Lewis, Exeter Branch.

A recent trip to Exeter has made me aware of a new John Lewis store opening in the city. It has been a rumour for some time but it is now official and the building work has begun. This news is very intriguing and, as the store is scheduled to open in late 2012, comes at a convenient time as I will have finished my degree. 


I undertook a 2 week placement at John Lewis Headquarters in May 2010, working within the womenswear and lingerie buying department. The store is recognised as being a leader in high street retail and known primarily for it's impeccable customer service. 


Having experienced living in London the last few months I am more certain than ever that I'd prefer to live and work in South West England/the countryside. My placement at Jenny Packham head office has also highlighted how much I enjoy the store atmosphere and dealing directly with the customers. 
For both these reasons I am extremely interested in learning more about possible job opportunities or graduate schemes within the Exeter store.


Originally the plans for a branch in Exeter was for a 'John Lewis at Home' store however in March 2011 the plans were reconsidered and it was decided to open a full John Lewis store consisting of 11 floors. The store will "offer and edited collection of products across fashion, home and electronics, in an inspiring and contemporary setting."


Watch this space...

Architect Image for new John Lewis, Exeter store.

Kate Middleton in Jenny Packham Grecian Style Dress

So...I've kept my lips sealed all this time and now I can spill! Jenny Packham has made another dress for Kate which she wore last night at a charity dinner held at St James Palace.

The dress was silver in a grecian style, draped over one shoulder and gently gathered in at the waist. It is so crazy that the dress was only in the Jenny Packham office on Wednesday on a mannequin. I actually went into London last week to source several samples of velvet or double faced satin silver ribbon specifically for Kate's dress.

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/femail/article-2060105/Kate-Middleton-dazzles-Grecian-gown-St-Jamess-Palace-dinner.html

Dress by Jenny Packham

The dress has also been worn by Angelina Jolie this year in it's original colour, red.

Week 9

Another busy week this week filled with a wide variety of jobs including:

• Preparing and gathering items for the sample sale.


• Sending out sketches and swatches to customers.


• Collecting ribbon from Bethnal Green.


• AND, the most enjoyable, re-fixing rhinestones to the Marie Louise dress. The dress was a sample for a bridal boutique which had been sold to a bride with the agreement that the missing rhinestones would be replaced. Over the time it had been used as a sample several of the crystals had fallen off or come loose. I used a 'Kandi Electric Rhinestone Applicator' which is simply a hot rod which sends heat through the gem to melt the glue on the bottom of the stone onto the fabric. It was very easy to use and the finished product can look neat and precise. Wrongly positioned gems can even be moved by re-heating the glue.

Marie Louise Dress

The rhinestones were positioned around the neckline and waistband.

Placement Report and Essay!!

Looking at dates over the weekend I am slightly panicked by the fact our Placement Report deadline is creeping up pretty quickly! In saying this, thank goodness I am now aware rather than blissfully ignorant and can actually form some sort of plan of how I will achieve the deadline.

I have admit the thought of uni work in the evenings or weekend when I just want to relax is not ideal however I really want to do my very best this year so needs must and all that, I need to get on with it! I have already roughly drafted my report and have noted my thoughts etc and to be honest it will probably be a nice way for me to compile my thoughts and evaluate the whole placement and experience. In order to have the relevant information I need to best complete my report I plan to carry out an interview with a member of Jenny Packham next week hopefully. These will include a wide variety in questions but before I proceed I need to find out the best way to undertake the process.

In addition to the above, while researching for my placement report I am having different thoughts about my essay topic. this is something I will talk through with my tutor and think about further down the line when my report is more under my belt.

Week 8

This week Beverley (head of bridal production) has been away which has meant I've been extra busy helping bridal production assistant, Hayley. We've worked together mainly checking a number of different bridal dress designs with a variety of problems.

The Willow dress is still being sent to head office to enable us to check the on going problems. In addition to this we have been sent Parma Crystal and Parma Opal as the dress has a mysterious problem with the bust cups turning the dress fabric yellow. It is thought that it has something to do with the white petrol the dresses are dropped in to clean them at the end of production.

Parma Crystal/Parma Opal

I have also been filing, continuing to understand and learn the different processes and paper trails so to speak.

I'm really enjoying every job I'm given and still thoroughly enticed and inspired by bridal fashion. Thinking about the future, I am interested to find out what, if any, bridal companies are based in the South West, ideally where I'd like to be based. A lack of south-west based companies would mean I couldn't afford to be choosy.

In addition to this, while working within the head office, I often have a niggling thought about working within an actual store that actually sells the dresses to customers. I miss the direct contact with customers and the general retail experience and environment. It took me time to adjust to the fact that, in general, Jenny Packham's "customers" are store owners buying whole sale or samples. I'm interested to know what qualities you need to work within a bridal boutique. Thinking long term I'd love to have my own bridal boutique. This is a dream that developed several years ago which has been truly reignited since working within bridal at Jenny Packham.

Week 7

Can't believe I'm basically half way through my placement already!

I have spent the majority of my time recently working within the bridal department which I'm really really enjoying! I love bridal! I'm learning a lot more about order and quality assurance processes which allows me to be far more independent in my work and to use my initiative which is great.

This week I have spent a considerable amount of time working on Willow (pictured below), a bridal dress which has caused the production team rather a few problems. To date, the dress has suffered from faulty zips due the beading sitting too close to the invisible zip, a lack of flowers on the center front motif when compared with the original sample, sequins loosing shape when steamed and an extremely restricting capped sleeve.

Willow Dress

Center Front Motif

Concealed Zip

Yesterday I wore my first bridal dress, the Willow dress. I modelled the dress for a good 30 minutes while several pattern cutters, designers, samplists and people from the production department (I counted up to 8 people at one point!) debated how to resolve the restricting, uncomfortable sleeve which is resulting in a severe lack of sales.

The various faults this dress has suffered from has made me more aware of the consequences of such problems within the production and sales of the dress.

Finally, I took another trip to Harrods this week to pick up a dress to be repaired for a customer.

Jenny Packham in Harrods

Top Secret!

A difficult post to write as the going's on in Jenny Packham headquarters should be hush hush...

...BUT today I found out a beautiful dress is being made on the premises for a certain celebrity! Very exciting! I will be watching this certain someone very carefully from now on and will post again when I can say more!! Watch this space...

Bridal Sketches!

Today has to be one of my best days so far! I began by gathering bridal sketches and fabric swatches together which are posted with order confirmations to stores around the world.

Then...I was asked to draw the sketches for some of the new bridal gown designs! Eeeek! I have not drawn by hand in a long time. Using Adobe Illustrator? Yes! By hand? Not in a while! I can't actually believe how nervous I was but as Haley (Bridal Production Assisant) pointed out, these sketches are going to a bride who probably hasn't seen her dress in a few months! AND she'll possibely even keep the drawing for years to come as a momento! THE PRESSURE!

After being advised to keep the lines fluid I was not grateful to be suffering with a shaking and wobberling hand. However, with time and practise my hand calmed down, I relaxed and I really really enjoyed it! I was using a figure template drawn by Jenny herself and coping photo's of the dresses on a model - the new dress designs being beautiful!

Below are examples of my sketches and the photo's of the actual dresses.

Midsummer, Iris, Drew, Primrose

Midsummer, Iris, Drew, Primrose

The Bridal Department!

Well, again due to the lose of the bridal department's intern, I have spent a lot of time this week working with the bridal team.

Today I was lucky enough to get the opportunity to visit Jenny Packham's bridal boutique in Elizabeth Street, Victoria. Similar to the ready-to-wear boutique in Mayfair, the boutique is beautiful! The perfect clean, crisp, luxurious setting for equally perfect and luxurious dresses.

Jenny Packham Bridal Boutique, Elizabeth Street, Victoria.

I also spent time double checking the information on bridal order confirmations. This allowed me the chance to further appreciate the process between a bride choosing her dress, the store ordering the dress from Jenny Packham, J P ordering the dress from the factory, the dress being delivered to the J P warehouse and then onto the store where it will be fitted on the bride.

Today has proved to me what a complete and utter hopeless romantic I am! I find the whole wedding affair very exciting and special and can't help but feel excited to be part of it and surrounded by all things wedding!! It is possible that this excitement is exacerbated by the fact it's all very novel to me (only time will tell) but bridal fashion is an area of the industry I have been interested in for some time now so I feel very lucky that I've been able to spend time working within in the bridal department! 

Know your Swarovski Crystals! Week 5

I've had another good week completing all sorts of different jobs in both the eveningwear and bridal departments this week and I feel like I've learnt quite a bit.

The head office had a massive clear out of old files full of fabric swatches, beading samples and general information about seasons several years old. I had to riffle through the old beading samples and dry clean tested components picking out anything worth saving, including Swarovski crystals! I have to admit I'm not the most knowledgeable when it comes to the Swarovski brand but I found differentiating between Swarovski crystals and glass/plastic ones surprisingly easy - the Swarovski are soooo much brighter and shiny!
The best result of the clear out was that students/interns were invited to take what they liked including exquisite beading samples and excellent quality fabrics! Check it out...

Everything left was chucked, no recycling at all even though there were piles and piles of paper! Such a shame that even a high profile, successful company such as Jenny Packham 'don''t have the resources to recycle' - doesn't set a very good example to the smaller companies out there.

In other areas I spent time fixing the beading (something I find quite therapeutic) on a rather unique wedding dress - example below.

I have been made more aware of production problems such as fabric cost and testing. One dress fabric had to be completely changed as, when steamed, it crinkled. Inevitably this caused all sorts of problems including cost which is, as I understand it, calculated per dress to reach an overall collection cost!

In addition to this, whilst sending out bridal order confirmations, dress sketches and fabric samples I really understood just how international Jenny Packham is, bridal in particular. America, Australia, France, Italy, Spain....

Placement Learning Agreement

My first deadline this year is fast approaching already - to write a learning agreement for the placement unit.
Writing the learning agreement has given me time to seriously consider the aims and objectives I hope to achieve during my placement.

1. I aim to learn a great deal more about and familiarise myself with luxury, contemporary fashion and the production fashion cycle.

2. Whilst working within the production department I'd like to gather a better understanding about how much creativity is involved in a job role in production. I hope to gauge if and how my enjoyment of the job is affected by the creativity or lack of it.

3. On a more personal level I plan to see how I cope with the transition of living in the countryside to living in London, a bustling city. Having lived in London throughout my childhood I am aware of the significant difference in countryside and city living and am concerned that my dislike of city life could effect my enjoyment of the placement and perhaps a future job. This placement is a good opportunity to see how I adapt to living in London and to consider how it may affect my future decisions.

One month in!

I have spent the majority of this week working with the bridal department as they are an intern down at the moment. I'm more than happy to stand in...bridal dresses? Yes please! In saying that their beauty and cleanliness is pretty daunting and intimidating! When each dress sells for thousands it has to be absolutely perfect, no exceptions! I've been examining dresses (wearing white gloves!) that have been sent from their factories to ensure there are no faults or marks. I was even shown how to use the steamer this week and steamed a dress with what felt like hundreds of layers of chiffon! I fixed any loose beads or loose threads and helped to ensure the zips weren't too tight.
I worked with Anke (eveningwear) on Friday and sorted beading samples which will be sent for dry cleaning tests.
I can't believe I've done a month already. To be honest I'm pretty proud of myself. I feel much more confident and comfortable there now and considering during the first week I could barely imagine being there 2 weeks I think I've done well. Here's to the next month!

Nympf - the dress I steamed.

Photos...

As part of this placement unit we have to post both written and visual entries on our blogs. Any images/photo's I can get related to my placement will be very beneficial to my placement blog, report and presentation. HOWEVER taking photo's within the office/studio proves difficult with regards to confidentiality and secrecy of forthcoming collections.

I will do my best to grab the opportunity to take photo's when and where we can and if not, I will have to use my imagination!

Jenny Packham, Carlos Place, London.

I've been lucky enough to take a trip into Mayfair, London today! A rather nicer part of London compared to Kentish Town, where Jenny Packham HQ is based. The Jenny Packham shop (more like a showroom!) is STUNNING! Nothing like any other shop I've seen before. It's more like an art exhibition, the garments shown amongst beautiful decoration and interior design. It gives the garments and shopping experience a very exclusive feel!

Carlos Place Interior

Uni Induction days...

Well...although it was pretty strange to be back at uni, it was very nice to see everybody and I feel, all in all, it was a very worthwhile day. Thankfully I didn't experience any nasty shocks about the work we have to complete - it was just good to confirm what we have to do and how it's all going to be assessed etc.

The day mainly made me truly realise and believe that doing a placement is the right choice for me and, although a big change and challenge for me, I know it's doing me good and will be a great achievement to have under my belt! It was a good chance to hear how everyone else is getting on at their placements although I think I'm in the minority of people who have already started a placement. Now I know my placement is the right thing to be doing and that the entrepreneurial unit is completely out of the question I hope top get even more settled in London and at Jenny Packham.

Week 3 - Half Week

I'm treated to a half week this week as Thursday and Friday are induction days at uni - meaning we'll be reminded about all the work we have this term! :-0

Had a bit of a commuting nightmare on Monday evening. Unfortunately not knowing where I was or where I was going and the fact it was dark and wet made it all a bit daunting - not my idea of fun! Thankfully I got home safely all be it 2 hours late.
My half weeks been full of ups and downs again. Monday was the first day without Anke (she's on holiday) and unfortunately there weren't many jobs going so I was filing all day. :-( Tuesday was much more exciting as I was asked to source ribbon in and around Oxford Street! As I was saying, ups and downs!
I looked around McCullock and Wallis, Kleins, John Lewis and VV Rouleaux for 12m of red velvet ribbon, 36mm wide - in other words as similar to the sample I had as I could get! Harder said than done - many were too dark, too light, too thin or too thick. Eventually I found two possibles in VV Rouleaux. I got samples and once I had approval from my mentors I ordered one which I have been to collect today, along with dropping a repaired dress to Harrods!

VV Rouleaux, Marylebone Lane

Inside VV Rouleaux

Up's and Down's...

So I'm at the end of my second week and again it really has gone very quickly. Generally/emotionally I'm very up and down about the whole London/work placement thing. I feel far more settled both at work and at home but inevitably I miss my real home very much - home being Devon, the complete opposite to London! At work it's a lot easier when I'm kept busy - even though some of the jobs I do are rather repetitive and tedious. I understand and appreciate that these jobs need doing and will be a contrast to other jobs I do which are far more exciting!

It's all about give and take, ups and downs, highs and lows!

Week 2

I'm settling in at Jenny Packham more everyday and beginning to understand and anticipate the jobs I'm given. I've been working on Micra again, this time attaching garment photos to the corresponding garments and style codes. I've also been working on quality control, examining bridal motifs for any imperfections such as loose beads or broken stones. The most exciting job has been helping the samplists finish garments which were about to be sent to an agent at Milan Fashion Week. OK I was only sewing on the Jenny Packham labels but it's still very exciting to be a part of it and to contribute to such beautiful fashion!

My First Week at Jenny Packham

Well my first week is already over. It's gone pretty quick! I'm just about beginning to recognise people and put faces to names - takes a while! I have to admit it hasn't been the easiest of weeks purely as I've been settling into such new and different surroundings both at work and at home, these things take time. All in all I have very much enjoyed my first week in the successful, fashionable and high profile design house that is Jenny Packham!

Below I have list a number of the jobs I have been doing this week.

• Filing dry cleaning samples - I decided which dry cleaning technique (P or F) had passed or failed.


• I've packed customer orders and dresses to be sent to factories.

• I compiled a folder of colour swatches to be sent to factories as colour references.


• I've been introduced to 'Micra', a software program which forms a database of garment information. I attached specification sheets, photos and bead/component information to the corresponding garments.

Jenny Packham at New York Fashion Week

It's proved to be a great and exciting time to start my placement as Jenny Packham have just shown their Spring/Summer 2012 collection at London Fashion Week therefore I am able to witness all the hard work that goes into a collection being shown in all it's glory. To a complete novice/amateur such as myself, seeing the dresses in the studio and being shown in such high-profile shows is very surreal and exciting. The press coverage for Jenny Packham has been extensive. I have included a couple of links below to articles, reviews and a video for the S/S12 collection.

http://www.vogue.co.uk/fashion/spring-summer-2012/ready-to-wear/jenny-packham

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/femail/article-2036526/Kate-Middletons-spring-wardrobe-Jenny-Packhams-gowns-fit-Duchess-Cambridge.html

Jenny Packham. Spring/Summer 2012. Ready-to-Wear.

The collection is made up of lacey, layered, feminine dresses with exquisite bead work. The colour palette is more vibrant than previous collections with limes, lemons and cherry reds. 

First Day of Work Experience at Jenny Packham

My first day! Unsurprising I was pretty nervous and anxious but thankfully, as a result of my interviews, I knew where to go which was the first hurdle crossed. I met with my mentors, Anke and Nigel, and filled out the necessary forms etc before Anke gave me a more detailed tour around the office/studio and introduced me to a n

umber of her colleagues. Although a bit daunting and nerve wracking, I enjoyed the day and was kept busy with a variety of jobs. I examined and organised a selection of dresses into factory groups, organised and bagged a number of dresses a few seasons old to be sent into the sale and began inputting shipping data into Microsoft Excel. All very exciting to be handling such exquisite, expensive and surprisingly heavy dresses!

Jenny Packham, Spectrum House, Kentish Town. 

About Jenny Packham

Luxury design house, Jenny Packham, is known primarily for bridal gowns and ready-to-wear collections. Their customer is glamorous, stylish and feminine and to compliment this their bridal gowns and ready-to-wear evening dresses boast an abundance of exquisite beading and sequin embellishment amongst layers of floating tulle, chiffon and silk. With stores in London's Mayfair and Belgravia, Paris and New York, Packham’s retail portfolio, celebrity clientele and international appeal is growing significantly. Packham has fast become one of the UK’s most regarded designers not only with regards to creative talent, but commercial success.

Kate Middleton - One of Packham's most high-profile, celebrated clients. 

Term 1: Work Placement

Having decided to undertake a work placement for the first term of my final year, I have spent time over the summer trying to secure a placement of at least 3 months.
I wasn't particularly choosy about the type of placement I was searching for however I felt I wanted to steer towards the promotion/production side of fashion rather than the design. In an ideal world I hoped to have a general overview of a successful, contemporary fashion brand. In addition to this, I hoped to be able to find a placement based in London to give me a better feel for how I cope with and enjoy London life.
The first position I became aware of which I was particularly inspired by was an internship at Jenny Packham within their Accessories department. When researching the company I was really inspired by their designs and brand image. Unfortunately, after an interview in their very impressive/slightly overwhelming office, I was informed they'd given the position to a graduate.
At this stage I looked in more detail at websites such as fashionworkie.com to search for any opportunities I was inspired by. I began correspondence with Oasis who were offering a placement within their PR department however this is an area I have never really considered and know very little about.
Fortunately, out of the blue, I came across a second internship opportunity with Jenny Packham, this time within their Evening and Lingerie Production department. This position was equally, if not more, inspiring as it was working with actual garments and after explaining my situation I was invited for another interview. Thankfully, this time I was successful so I am officially upping sticks and starting an internship at Jenny Packham a week today! eeeeee