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.