Internship at Bora Aksu
On the way to London this morning. I didn't feel as scared or as nervous as, I thought, I was going to. I was so excited at just the honour of being inside the studio, let alone being interviewed for an internship there.
Walking into the studio, I was filled with inspiration. It is such a creative place, with illustrations, garments, moodboards and fabric placed every where.
Lead into a small room ready for my interview, I was not expecting the designer to be there himself. Complementing me on my outfit, everything seemed so surreal.
Opening my portfolio half way through, Fella asked Bora to come over and have a look for himself. I began to explain in detail each project and the outcome from the brief that was set. The feedback, I received was incredible, he said that it was one of the strongest portfolios he had seen and loved all of the work generated within application in design. This included the flip books, the invitation and the overall concept.
Both Fella and himself were impressed with the headwear piece, I had designed within millinery and said that the shapes in which were put together were unusual, creative and inspirational.
He also made reference to the overall presentation and said that, I hold a strong out for layout. An understanding in which seemed evident within the foundation sketchbook that was also shown.
It definitely helped that, I knew each collection in depth. Fella asked me which my favourite collection had been and, I said s/s 2010 because of the colour palette, the construction techniques that had emerged and refined from previous collections.
I then described this specific design (which impressed)
The way knitwear had been integrated into the tailored pieces is truly inspirational. Working within the studio, I will be exposed to the techniques used. Techniques in which could potentially be utilised within my third year.
I asked Fella in which collection she felt to be most successful and why. She described the Autumn/ Winter 2011 collection. Stating that although Bora was personally unsure about incorporating spiders within the hair and along the arm, stepping outside of his comfort zone provide an astonishing final collection.
I completely agree with what was said. I feel at times, I need to step outside of my comfort zone a little more in order to generate more experimental and contemporary designs.
I couldn't believe it when, I was told that they were definitely offering me the internship over the summer! It was said that before, I had even attended the interview they were more than likely going to offer me the position as, I had sent numerous e-mails and made multiple phone calls. It does show that persistence pays off.
The fact that only seven other students have been given the same opportunity put a definite smile on my face. The fact that studio must receive hundreds of applications and, I was one of the lucky few to be chosen.
I asked the sort of roles that would be required of me whilst working within the studio. A vast array of duties were listed from sewing, labelling, promotion, fabric collection, illustration and Photoshop/Illustrator work. If working with my favourite designer wasn't enough, the internship will be the perfect opportunity to expand my knowledge relating to every area involved within the industry. It will also help me refine specific areas of interest and could help in the elimination of areas, I would not wish to pursue later on in my career.
Along with working over the summer, I have also been given the opportunity to work behind the catwalk at London Fashion Week. I have always wanted to go and not only being amongst the hype of it all, I will be able to see a collection in which, I have aided progression go down the catwalk.
Can not wait until my Summer in London!
