Starting a new job can be a nerve-wracking challenge, but after just a few days working at Henry Bertrand, I feel that I have adapted to my environment and already got into the swing of work. Having worked in such a range of different environments over the years, from fashion studios to shop floors and even being behind the bar, I feel that my adaptability is a strong element within my soft skillset. Henry Bertrand is yet another different working environment. Here I am working in a mix of a space, partly an office, partly a studio and partly a showroom. It feels good to be in a constantly busy environment and nice to be able to mix with new people from the different departments. I can tell that I am going to really enjoy my 9 weeks here.
With the new season beginning and lots of trade shows around the corner, I was straight into the job on Monday, filling up the sample draws for both old and new fabrics. I found it interesting to learn that the fabric suppliers have to be even further ahead of the designers in the industry. Predicting the trends and researching, to create fabric options that they anticipate designers will be interested in with the upcoming colours and styles. I got see what some of the trends will be for Spring/Summer 2020, with bright corals and deeps navy’s appearing across the array of fabrics that had just come in. It was my job to take these fabrics and organise them ready for sample picking. Using the electric guillotine to cut a sheared edge; I cut a range of different sizes needed for different customers, before organising them into folders with shade cards and labels.
It was a job that last over a few days, but during those days, I was learning more and more about fabrics. Every time I was given a new set of fabrics to cut, I was given information about the composition of the fibres and uses, as well as being let into customer secrets about which major designers use what fabrics!
One fabric that I got introduced to was Duchesse Glacier, a nylon yarn with a stiff structure. It gave an icy sheen, almost as if it was a reflective plastic, but it moved around easily and would be great for adding volume and shape to a garment.
To sum up my first week; it has been a fun learning adventure. I am already gaining a wealth of new fabric knowledge and am excited for it to keep on growing across my time at my internship!
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