Blog Archives

New Website!

24/10/2018

The new website is finally ready!
As with all things creative it is a work in progress and I am sure it will continue to evolve.
So come on in have a look around.
Revisit some of the old Blogs ( had to re- input them for this new template *YAWN!!!*)
Browse the online shop , check out the new Events and News page.
Ohhh and Deco22 now has a quarterly Newsletter, so sign up for it. Go on you know you want to :-) !

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Networking is no longer a dirty word

18/10/2018

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Blog originally posted on: 27/5/2015

When I began Deco22, I was continuously told by start-up business advisers, how vital networking was for my success.

I would force myself to go to networking events. These were usually evening affairs with people standing around glasses of wine in hands, making (loud) small talk *shudder*. I would say very little and escape as soon as possible. I really did not understand how doing this would be good for my business! After a handful of attempts I stopped attending.

Networking events are perfect for extroverts, which I am most definitely not. Thankfully, networking is no longer a ‘one size fits all’ deal.

Over the years I have meet lovely people while freelancing as a pattern cutter and teaching at numerous colleges. I regularly meet other designer makers at shows and markets and at my studio space (initially with LYST and now with Cockpit Arts).

Without realizing it, I have naturally built up a network of contacts through just being my introvert self. In sharp contrast to networking events where I felt people assessed one another, trying to gauge the other person’s usefulness, I keep in contact with these people because I have genuinely enjoyed working with, and getting to know them.

How do my network of contacts help me?

Sometimes it is simple encouragement for what I am doing, other times my contacts can offer advice on where to source equipment or share information they think I may find useful. I know that without my network of contacts I would probably have changed career by now.

I keep in touch with most of my network via social media:

Facebook

No I do not tell everyone what I ate for breakfast or go in to details about everything that happens to me each day, I not that kind of Facebooker!

I mainly share fashion industry news, and ‘look at this’ links to things I like or things I would discuss with them if we were still working together. Generally if I do have a discussion with a Facebook contact I use private messages, as I am more comfortable with one to interactions, (introvert remember!)

Pinterest

Sharing pins of things I like and sending my contacts pins of things I think they might like.

Instagram ( 2018 update)
Sharing what I am doing in my studio and also sending my contacts posts of things I think they might like.

LinkedIn

Is a more professional format. I share business, education and fashion industry related news. (2018 update- now have a Deco22 business page)

I often receive requests to connect with people I have never meet which I still find strange. For a while I used to accept their invitations, but I have recently decided to stop. To me, it feels as if a complete stranger has knocked on my studio door and asked to come in and sit down… I say yes, and they just sit there… * shudder*

Oh yes, while we’re here, a pet peeve of mine…

If you decide to create a LinkedIn profile, do it! There is no point in adding your name, with no picture, no details of your specialism(s) or experience.

When I have been nagging – ehem - giving helpful advice, to some of my contacts (lady with over 30 years’ experience as sample machinist yes, I hope your ears are burning!) who have half-heartedly created their LinkedIn profile I have described what they are doing as this:

“..you have set up a market stall with table rails and display props, you have put your name on the stall and then hidden behind a curtain with your stock still packed under the table. When people walk past all they see is your name and an empty display..”

As I said before, networking is not a one size fits all. I only recently realised that I had found a way that suited me, and I am so grateful for my genuine network of contacts and the no-stress method in which I have gained them!
Links.

Cockpit Arts

http://www.cockpitarts.com/

LYST (London Youth Support Trust)

http://www.lystbusiness.com/home/

And of course my Blogging pal.
Thea Smartt Henry

Further reading on networking and introverts

http://www.businessnewsdaily.com/6903-introvert-networking-easier.html

http://blog.pickcrew.com/a-guide-to-networking-for-people-who-suck-at-networking/

http://www.theguardian.com/books/2012/mar/22/quiet-power-introverts-susan-cain-review

http://www.forbes.com/sites/susanadams/2013/05/07/six-ways-introverts-can-be-more-powerful/

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If the Course Fits- Things to consider when choosing a Fashion Course

18/10/2018

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Blog originally posted on: 8/7/2015
I studied fashion full time for five years at three different colleges. In the past six years I have taught either pattern cutting, garment construction or design at seven colleges at various levels from absolute beginner to budding designers at degree level. Not all colleges are the same and choosing the right organisation to help achieve your goals is very important, (e.g. If you want pursue a very creative or ‘Avant Garde’ route, then choosing a college whose focus on the commercial side of fashion will not be a good fit and vice versa).

Always visit the potential college and ask LOTS of questions!

Talk to the students.. NOT the ones the college select as examples on an open day - they will only tell you what the organisation want you to hear. Try to speak to students as you move around the college.

Questions you should ask include:

How many students will be in each class (count how many sewing machines are in the machine room, if there are less than the amount of students in the class be aware that this will cause access issues during future sessions).
Example: If there are thirty students and one tutor, how many technicians are available? There are a lot of hands-on technical skills that you need to learn for fashion, one person cannot fully support thirty students.
How many guided learning hours will there be?
What resources are provided by the college? Be aware that not all sites have library or computer access.
If the college says it has Computer Aided Design (CAD) resources, ask how regularly you will have access to them. On the tour for my Higher National Diploma course (HND - now known as a Foundation Degree), I was shown a pattern cutting CAD system. During the course we given access to use the systems for two short modules twice in the two years of the course. As a class, we left without the relevant CAD skills needed to empower us in finding work once we graduated.
For levels 2 and 3, ask how many students progress to higher levels.
For level 4, 5 and 6 ask how many graduates have gone on to find PAID work in the fashion industry, excluding retail.

One last thing! Remember if you choose to do a fashion course it is NOT an easy option. Garment construction equipment and materials, art equipment, the requisite books and stationary... A Fashion course is not cheap. I have seen FAR too many students overwhelmed by what is involved in doing a fashion course.

You will be learning a wide range of disciplines and you will also have to write about your work. If you think this is the route you want to take, I recommend trying out a short course to see if it is what you really really want (yes, I just quoted the Spice Girls ! )

Some colleges that might interest you.

Highest ranking Universities for fashion in the UK.

http://www.whatuni.com/degrees/courses/degree-courses/fashion-degree-courses-united-kingdom/m/united+kingdom/r/5954/page.html

Part time courses.

City Lit

http://www.citylit.ac.uk/courses/art-%26-design/fashion-%26-textiles/fashion%2C-sewing-and-clothes-making

Morley College

http://www.morleycollege.ac.uk/departments/fashion

Kensington and Chelsea College

http://www.kcc.ac.uk/fashion-and-millinery/

Pinterest boards

Words of wisdom

https://uk.pinterest.com/infodeco22/words-of-wisdom/

Sewing and pattern cutting

https://uk.pinterest.com/infodeco22/sewing-and-pattern-cutting/

Other blogs that might interest you.

My Blogging pal .

http://www.theasmartthenry.co.uk/blog

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