More recently, under the leadership of Melissa Stokes, the company has spread its infant wings to the land of womenswear. A natural progression for a men’s line inspired by women’s clothing. Jonathan was quoted in Vogue earlier this year saying ‘Think tomboy/tomgirl rather than unisex’.
My role within the company was widespread and varied. Each day presented something different. Eased gently into a world of production, creating orders of ‘Saints and Assassins’ the first womenswear collection, which is currently stocked in Liberty’s, Harrods, Hunting and Collecting and on Oki-Ni as well as ASOS and LNCC.
As the days progressed into weeks and so on and so forth, the tasks I had accomplished ranged from sewing and embroidering to fabric and haberdashery sourcing and buying to working with the press office, run by A.I.
I was soon entrusted with pattern cutting, grading and toiling, which was wonderful to get back to the technical side that I enjoy so much.
We were then hit with the news that the new collection was to be sponsored by Swarovski Crystal, which was very exciting news – even more so when the crystals began to arrive in their thousands at the studio. I defy any of you to not want to play with oodles of crystal beads when the opportunity presents itself. We were all to become children in a candy store at the sight of the sparkly magic.
Among my list of errands (including banking and posting, believe me, I am the post master…!) I was also sent to the Arcadia Head Quarters, mother-ship of the British High Street, to meet with Head Menswear Designer for Topman Nick Paget. Alongside this, I was sent to the Swarovski Head Office, which was in line with walking into a very sparkly spaceship. If I ever wondered what (insert name of spaceship here) was like. Here was my opportunity to see. (Unfortunately I am not a space geek, epic fail I feel, however exciting nonetheless.)
One Monday morning, a good few months into my internship I was asked to head to Big Sky Studios. There I was to meet Matt and Jonathan who were working with Robbie Spencer (stylist of Dazed and Confused fame) directed by Sharif Hamza. Off I was sent, in a taxi, with £40,000 worth of crystal beads, a sewing machine and the ability to be on the set seamstress. It was a completely awesome day, most definitely one of the highs of my career so far. The efforts of which can be seen here…
On to the next… we then headed to the crazy world of creating the collection for fashion week. Over 30 looks, a mix of womens and mens, the womens to be unveiled earlier at Liberty’s, online and at Somerset House on the Saturday with the video as seen above. The mens to be shown at a catwalk show at Somerset House on Menswear Day.
A lot of pattern cutting, toiling, adapting and making went into the penultimate weeks before the show. Culminating in a fantastic show, at around 11.30am on Wednesday 22nd of September. Again, another day that shall remain a highlight of my life so far. Controversially 4 female models were sent down the catwalk during the menswear show, depicting the versatility of the Anderson brand. The clothes sparkled. The models looked fabulous and as always with these things, the show came together in the final moments of a frantic backstage.
http://www.gq-magazine.co.uk/style/catwalk-fashion-shows/SS2011/Mens/london/jw_anderson/full-length-photos?page=1
(GQ Catwalk Photos and Write Up)
http://www.swarovski.tv/Content.Node/fashion/168912.php
(Video of the Catwalk Show)
And so, as quickly as it started it was over. And so, I believe it is now, as they say, on to the next.
love it !!
ReplyDeleteSounds very exciting Lucy - can't wait to hear more about what you're up to. Best wishes, Elaine
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