If you’ve seen my post from a couple of weeks ago, you’ll have seen that a incredible opportunity has been put my way.
I touched on the fact I had been recommended as someone who may be able to step onto a new developing brand. This has been in talk for a couple of weeks now, with a handful of emails being sent backwards and forwards between me and the man behind the idea. It was today however when we finally got to talk on the phone and it has really kick started this journey. Neither of us knew how to get the conversation started to begin with. Michael has been stuck at the point of an idea, a vision that he has so much commitment and enthusiasm towards; as for me, I was feeling a tad out of my depth. Being a student still, I was wary of possibly not have the experience and knowledge required to assist in the way he was hoping. I’m jumping ahead of myself a bit here, so let’s go back to the start; let’s talk about the brand itself.
Contains Sugar is designed to be a bright, fun, comfort filling underwear brand. Starting with the core range, before hopefully developing down a series of clever, innovative design concepts. The brand is essentially inspired by everything sweet and sugary related. This inspiration is translated into a range of different prints, before turning into sets of underwear aimed at those looking for some fun, feel good underwear in their lives. The same sweet inspiration and print ideas will also be used for a range of mix and match knickers. The pick’n’knick range! This will be the first of the side concepts; the traditional pick and mix sweet idea, turned into a fun way of selecting a mix of knickers.
For me the idea is perfect! Something I would definitely be attracted to in a store and would love to wear! But for now an idea is all it is. That’s where my job comes in. The brand understood, it was time for me to hone in on my skills and everything I have been learning this year. As I said, after the conversation began I was feeling out of my depth. There was no knowledge of how to begin to product development stage from Michaels end and I was feeling the pressure to get it right. A brand idea that was someone else’s ‘baby’ was being put straight into my hands. A year ago I would have run… I wouldn’t have had the knowledge to take on the job, let alone the confidence. After taking a quick moment to think, I knew there was nothing to lose. Michael is fully aware that I am still a student and expressed how this would be a great learning process for both of us, if nothing else. As he also has a full time job and a family, it gives me the time to still focus on my internships and coursework, while both of us work away at this project in a way that suits us best. What’s more it’s the perfect opportunity to put my skills into practice.
After taking a deep breath, our conversation continued and I soon slipped into work mode (my telephone voice was the big giveaway!) Moments later, the initial doubt had faded and I was surprising myself with how I was leading the conversation. Explaining to him the next steps, what I needed from him and even suggesting contacts for sourcing fabrics, trims and printing. It was as if everything I had learnt at Absence of Paper had suddenly clicked together! The skills that I had developed there were the perfect match for this new project. I had been a part of a new brand, from sourcing and pattern cutting to sampling and creating technical packs, all the skills I now need for this opportunity!
At this moment in time, I am motivated, enthusiastic and excited for what the future holds, and as Michael put it at the end of the call…
…“I think a ‘new clothing brand' journey is about to begin!”
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