The Room

In January I did a project with Daniella Olds,  a graduate from London college of Fashion as some extra work experience and to learn directly from a graduate.
We worked together on some designs she did for a short film called The Room, which is written, produced and directed by Fabrice Puscas,
It is a horror film based on the psychological and emotional journey of a women who has made a crucial decision.

Daniella gave me so much freedom and pushed me to have an opinion on her designs and colour choices.She showed me how to pattern cut, drape, stitch, stuff and fasten.
I was left to my own devises in some areas to really get to grips with the designs and actual production of the garments.

It was two weeks of excitement for me, I loved every second of it. The best was seeing the final garments on the actresses with all their make up etc and knowing all that hard work had paid off.

I have been offered another opportunity with Daniella and Fabrice on the next short film which I really look forward to.

Since i can remember i have been making my own dress up clothes, dinner dresses, dance dresses and now, outfits i wear on a daily basis. So last year i decided i would like to see how professional tailors make clothes. 

I applied to almost every tailors on Saville Row and Anderson and Sheppard offered me the opportunity to come in and observe for the day. 

I got there filled with excitement and nerves (i probably had the least experience they had ever seen) which turned to comfort and excitement  as i started talking to the Pattern cutters and Mr Hitchcock himself. 

It was the most interesting day i think ive had in years, I literally stood for eight hours watching an  apprentice, Sunna make her jacket. I never felt a stitch of pain or boredom. I was so interested in how she worked and the things she showed me (i now follow her on the Anderson And Sheppard Notebook http://www.anderson-sheppard.co.uk/thenotebook/author/sunna/). 

 All the Self employed Tailors work in a studio under the rooms and whilst i was there they were telling me stories of the Late Lee Alexander McQueen and how he was when he was on his apprenticeship with them. 

Mr Hitchcock then took me up to have a chat and talk about what i wanted to do with my life and what my interests are. He showed me old McQueen images and docs from when he was there, photos of royalty wearing his suits and showed me a jacket he made for Kate Moss, which he let me try on (i’m not supposed to say). He gave me a piece of this amazing cashmere that is worth £1000 a meter, fabric he has used to make a suit for a VIP client. 

I have a small sketch book with all my notes and tricks that Sunna taught me stored carefully as i feel the information i received will always be beneficial to me and i may never get the opportunity to go back. And one day, when i have a fashion show, the whole of Anderson and Sheppard will be receiving tickets.