Student Work Experience Project - Poppy Youde

Last Summer, A-level student Poppy Youde joined me at the studio for a work experience project.

It is so important when accepting students for work experience or internships that they are getting experience and go away with something wonderful for their portfolios. Simply using them as free labour to do menial tasks is not ok. 

I asked Poppy to think what she would like from the week and we set a project that would be a complete portfolio piece covering basic aspects of research, design, pattern cutting, making and finally styling. All images are the work of Poppy Youde.

Poppy showed great enthusiasm arriving with initial ideas and sketches along with her chosen fabric, pink gingham. She continued with further research into gingham and created an inspiration layout/mood board in a magazine style. 

Poppy the finalized her designs and together we the went on to draw out patterns and cut the fabric. Throughout the making process Poppy gave input and worked hard on the finishing which is an essential part of the garment make. It is essential that all fashion students understand the make and cut of garments, however much they may dislike the sewing process. It is impossible to be good designer without these basics. 

Once the garments were made and fitted Poppy went away to research her styling and was ready to model and style her designed outfit. 

Poppy really excelled at her research, design and styling. She is going on to study a Foundation diploma in Bristol and then aims to study fashion at degree level. View her blog Princess Seam here. 

Internship

Hello my name is Dice and I have been doing an internship with Alexandra King for the past two months. I didn't really know what to expect when I first came to the studio for an interview and was surprised that it was so big for an independent designer. The internship has been very useful as I have learnt many important things from an independent designers way of working.

I learnt pattern cutting skills, new techniques- different ways of seams, zips and ways to grade patterns, also tracing and developing patterns. From this I decided to make three items which I have photographed on here which are a shirt,jacket and pair breeches, which I feel has improved my garment construction well. I have been really lucky to be able to do some of my own work alongside helping with the dresses.


Whilst being here I have also learnt how important social media is to use such as blogging and website updates which show followers what is going on and what other people think of their dresses.I feel that I have had a great insight into the independent business and wish to Intern in a larger industrial place to see the similarities and differences between the two. 

My Knitted trench coat, with leather details.

My work
Over the summer I was given a summer project to do by looking into a theme of my choice which, as I love birds chose to look into birds and their differences. Watching the Black Swan film made me want to look into personality differences, leading me to look mainly at owls and swallows. Owls are predators hunting for food such as small birds and other creatures. I then developed into looking at traditional hunting wear and therefore created a trench coat which is knit based as I specialise in knitwear at Uni. I then designed more and more to go on to create a shirt and breeches to try and fit in with the theme.

The Breeches- with leather inside leg patches and zip details.

The shirt- back pleat details and zip fastening.

Whilst designing I feel I have developed from just using knit to ways of embellishment in ways such as adding leather and fabrics with knitted trims.Over the internship it has helped me develop a capsule collection with outside help/ideas questioning things that may have been difficult to imagine/ translate into a garment.

Overall this has been a great experience with many funny memories. :)