A fashion illustrator plays a crucial role in the fashion industry. They are responsible for visually communicating the designs and ideas of fashion designers, brands, and publications. Their drawings help bring concepts to life and allow others to understand and visualise a garment or collection’s intended look, style, and details.

An interview with Zeynep Deniz

FASHION ILLUSTRATORS

Additionally, fashion illustrators contribute to the marketing and promotion of fashion brands. Their drawings are often used in advertising campaigns, lookbooks, fashion magazines, and social media platforms to showcase the latest designs and create a visual impact. These illustrations help create a connection between the brand and its target audience, attracting attention and generating interest in the fashion industry.

Furthermore, fashion illustrators bring a unique artistic perspective to the fashion world. Their creativity and ability to capture the essence of fashion trends and styles through their illustrations contribute to the industry’s overall aesthetic and artistic representation.

FASHION LANDSCAPE

Unsung heroes who shape the fashion landscape are vital in translating ideas into visual form, aiding in the design process, and promoting fashion brands. They bring creativity, artistic flair, and a unique perspective to the industry, making them an integral part of the fashion world.

1. How did you develop your unique illustration style?

I have been drawing since the age of four. My mother took drawing classes back then. She would ask me to pose for her, and she would create pencil portrait sketches of me. I was so inspired by her that I started drawing as well. 

Then there was my aunt, who was also a very talented sketch artist, and I became inspired quickly. I kept drawing all through primary school and high school. After moving to Istanbul to attend the University of Fine Arts to study ceramics, I attended several classes with very talented teachers. 

DRAWING FASHION DESIGN

I knew ceramics was not my path, but it was a stepping stone to transfer to study Fashion Design in Italy.

Being a curious and passionate person, I kept researching and drawing, and just by continuing to draw, I got a lot of practice. 

Then when I was accepted to FIT (Fashion Institute of Technology) to do the International Fashion Design Program in Florence, Italy and New York, Fashion became my lifestyle. The most inspiring and precious teachers added to my personal style.

FOCUS

The more I sketched, the more confident and comfortable I became. Instead of comparing myself to other designers or illustrators, I focused on myself, my lines, and my sketches. I only wanted to be better than my previous self, and most importantly, I had so much fun drawing and practising, fun being the focal point.

I am truly grateful to my parents for supporting my dreams and to my instructors at FIT for inspiring me and lighting the fire in me even more. As I look back on my life as a fashion student, I have a big smile on my face and a warm fuzzy feeling in my heart. I feel so lucky..!

FASHION DESIGNER

How do you stay up-to-date with current fashion trends?

I am a fashion designer who believes in wearing what suits you, what makes you feel good. I believe in sustainable, timeless, ageless, spaceless fashion, so I don’t follow the trends. People should be doing smart shopping and buying durable, practical, and timeless clothes.

Observing what people wear is key; what they do, where they go, and how they live. My greatest source of inspiration comes from nature and animals. They are the jewels of this earth. Trees, flowers, birds, cats, fish, and horses deeply inspire me and profoundly impact my designs.

Can you walk me through your creative process when starting a new illustration?

Sometimes it comes all of a sudden. Even a photo can inspire me, sometimes subconsciously dreaming about the image in my dreams. So there are many different methods for me.

If I’m involved with a collection, I first develop a theme that enlightens me and take it from there, deciding on colours and materials. Truly understanding my client’s profile, price range and other specifications. Brainstorming, visualising and feeling play a part even before I pick up a pencil, marker or pen. Sketching follows as ideas flow until making a selection.

What materials do you prefer to work with when creating fashion illustrations?

PENCIL SKETCHES

I love creating pencil sketches. There is something about the lead and the sound of it on a smooth piece of paper. It personally feels like the fresh smell of bread or the scent of the earth after rain.

After the pencil sketch, I either use markers for colouring or watercolours. Markers are faster, but watercolours are more fun. I always use coloured pencils, markers, watercolours, and art liners. Actually, I like all kinds of materials as long as they look aesthetic and artistic.

How do you incorporate colour and texture into your illustrations to bring them to life?

I have a good sense of colour and colour combinations. Of course, it also helps to learn the theory behind using them and applying colour schemes. When working on an illustration, I try to make it look realistic but not too realistic cause it’s an illustration, not a painting. So giving a sense of a three-dimensional effect is enough. Using light, medium and dark shades of the colour that I’m using and creating an illusion of a light source is the most basic technique. Experimenting with different materials for texture, such as make-up and textured fabrics, are also important to me.

FAST FASHION

Do you have any favourite fashion designers or brands that inspire your illustrations?

There are so many. I am especially crazy about vintage fashion; Dior, Balenciaga, Madame Gres, Yves Saint Laurent, and many more.

Back then, there was a sense of aesthetics, femininity, naive looks, and purity. Today’s fast fashion ideas and looks do not appeal to me.

How do you ensure your illustrations accurately represent the garments or outfits you are illustrating?

If I’m sketching from my imagination or creating my own design, I know exactly how I want it to look like so there’s no problem
If I’m illustrating an existing garment, I ensure I have good reference photos. If I’m working with a client, I ensure I get all the info and details I can, ask a lot of questions, and ask for reference photos. It has to be clear to me in my mind. Only then can I start sketching, and along the way, I send photos to my client to ensure we’re on the same page.

Asking questions and creating drawings

Have you ever collaborated with fashion designers or brands to create illustrations for their collections? If so, what was that experience like?

Yes, I have; the experience depends on the client. However, being a very detail-oriented person, I ask many questions in the beginning about the customer profile, the materials they want me to use, colours, fabrics, and accessories. There are many details to consider. If I’m working with professionals like myself, it’s a true pleasure for me since I love what I do.

What challenges do you face as a fashion illustrator, and how do you overcome them?

Promoting myself is not my strong suit. That is the biggest challenge for me. I need a manager who will put together all my work, create a website, a print shop, take videos etc.; then I can reach more people with my work. At the moment, I do everything by myself, and since I have to think about too many things, it overwhelms me, and I don’t feel like I’m using my full potential.

Can you share any tips or advice for aspiring fashion illustrators looking to pursue a career in the industry?

“Always follow your heart”.

– Zeynep Deniz

Ever since I was a little child, I always followed my heart, my passions and my creativity. I did what I loved most, and I am so grateful that I did that. I never felt like I had to work. I turned my hobbies and passions into work and had so much fun doing it. So my advice is to follow your heart, go where the joy is, and create your own joy. Create a life full of joy; you will never regret that. Life is supposed to be fun and colourful, and joyful.

ABOUT US

The post Drawing the fashion frontier-unleashing fashion illustration. appeared first on The Networking Magazine.

Reminiscing back to the moment she received her first camera on her eleventh birthday, Anam re-lives the excitement of pulling back the flap to snap a picture with the small Digital HP. Obsessed with selfies at that point in her life, her journey with photography evolved beautifully.

Eager to establish where the passion to become a photographer came from, we talk and explore Anam’s life and key moments that contributed to inspiring this as a career choice. Fortunate enough to travel extensively during her youth, she vividly remembers using her first camera to capture images of scenery, the details of leaves and the essence of nature and the rawness of safari in Kenya. 

Career choice

The fascination continued to develop from this point onwards and after sadly losing her dad a couple of years ago, the reality of how precious captured memories were became increasingly evident. Dealing with grief, led to the reassessment of career choice and pursuit of something meaningful which she enjoyed and felt gratified by. Sifting through old photos, irreplaceable moments in time, she knew she just had to take the plunge and give it a shot. What’s the worst that could happen?

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by أنام (@nam94x)

“it’s not the camera – it’s more about your skills and ability to use it to create magic”.

Anam Anwer

Canon 1300D

The digital HP wouldn’t quite cut it, so Anam began to research extensively; in search of a camera worth investing in – the valuable tool that would assist in kickstarting her career in this new and quite daunting arena. She opted for a Canon 1300D, recommended as suitable for amateurs and admits to still utilising it to this day. Although the Canon 1300D remains close to her heart and such a special camera that has captured many incredible pieces of work and allowed her to launch herself into the industry, she has upgraded to a Sony A73. With little knowledge of cameras, I try to establish the differences and am advised that the Sony A73 is perfect for switching between photography and videography, so it is fabulous as a multi-purpose option, and she still gets excited every time she uses it! Regardless of choice, Anam is quite clear in the belief that “it’s not the camera – it’s more about your skills and ability to use it to create magic”.

Fenty Beauty brand

So, how does one “teach themselves” to become a photographer/videographer with no formal training? Dedication to researching and hours and hours of learning new techniques through YouTube videos, Skillshare and Udemy. Keen to know how Anam went from this – to working on a campaign for Rhianna’s trailblazing Fenty Beauty brand, I pick her brains a bit more!

“If you ever feel like doing something and have a desire or a passion you are considering pursuing, just do it, go for it. Dreams are only a mindset away from reality”.

Anam Anwer

What was your first professional photography job?

I remember seeing an old acquaintance from college, who is now a professional dancer, posting on social media that she required a photographer to take some portraits. I reached out saying I was available; she asked my rate (to which I questioned – what is my rate?!), and we took it from there. As I already knew her, I don’t think I felt as nervous as I would have, and I embraced the moment. It felt natural to me, and I was strangely calm, perhaps because this was something I cared about profoundly. The only nerves I experienced were those of excitement.

What major campaigns have you contributed to?

My first big job, which I am still so proud of to this day, is the Fenty Beauty campaign that I shot in 2019. I mean, Rhianna, wow – she’s a global phenomenon and me, I got to shoot for her brand. Words cannot describe how much confidence this instilled in me. I felt like I was finally on the cusp of success, and this was such an imperative milestone in my career.

Gym Shark

Another more recent campaign was with Gym Shark, one of the world’s fastest-growing fitness companies. It was weird, as, at the back of my mind, there was always a personal desire and goal to work with them, and when it came to fruition, it verified to me that nothing was out of reach. We all have those moments in our lives and careers where we doubt ourselves and our abilities, and this is the campaign that reinforced that self-confidence in me and reminded me that I’ve got this – I can do anything! To have such a massive brand trust me based on my past work was such an amazing feeling.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by أنام (@nam94x)

Client’s brief

When I am on a shoot, I always have that tiny tingle of nervousness, no matter how large or small the scale is, as I genuinely care about my work and strive to achieve my client’s brief. However, on this shoot, I remember I felt so calm. I was just embodied in the moment, did not overthink for a second and felt like I was meant to be there.

How did covid impact your ability to freelance, and how did you overcome this?

Prior to lockdown, I had a couple of jobs that paid quite well; however, I knew they would only carry me through a couple of months. This was really concerning, but I began to pull on resources. I contacted people in my network to remind them I was available. The first month was difficult, but then I had to make a decision to offer discounted rates. This worked well with local artists, as it was apparent that a lot more people were becoming more creative during lockdown, and the emergence of bespoke, creative start-up businesses was rife.

All in all, despite the tragedies of the pandemic, lockdown proved fruitful for business as it made me work harder and focus on future direction, so I am grateful for that.

What are your specialities?

They’re varied! I have shot a lot of versatile genres, but I enjoy shooting brands, unique services – anything that allows me to have creative direction and full control over this. As I have a personal passion for health, sports and fitness, I also really enjoy this. The shoots are fun, real, allow me to capture movement, moments and play around – not as structured and planned or rigid.

What’s next for you?

The aim is to step away from operating the camera and move more into direction, piecing things together. I would love to work on bigger budgets, higher quality productions and do fewer jobs. Having a team to delegate to would be ideal!

Is there any advice you would give to someone considering launching a freelance business as a photographer?

Yes. Regardless of the industry, the goal and what you want to do, I’d say if you ever feel like doing something and have a desire or a passion you are considering pursuing, just do it, go for it. Dreams are only a mindset away from reality.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by أنام (@nam94x)

Contact the magazine

The post Anam Anwer-Storm in a teacup appeared first on The Networking Magazine.

Based in London, Qaiser has been shooting films & photographs since 1993.

Trained on mainstream feature films and tv dramas, he spent five years working at an advertising agency and set up a creative studio in 2000. Since then, he has worked on fashion, beauty and corporate, creative projects. His passions are film, photography and drawing.

The Interview

When did you realise that you wanted to be a photographer?

I grew up drawing as a child and always spent the evenings after school or weekends lost in my sketchpad. But my grandfather was a massive influence in my transition from pencil to photographs. He loved photography (in the days of real film in cameras) and would often let me take a picture. Looking at the world through the viewfinder sends you to new places and transports you to whatever you want to imagine.

Genres

There are so many different genres of photography; what made you focus on fashion?

I love faces. I love human emotion and individual expressions. Capturing people has that immediate connection and is always an exciting journey as you never know what you’re going to end up with at the end of a shoot. In fashion, I love the colours, shapes and fabric. I love how the models always stand out amongst the beauty of the garment. It’s a perfect balance of nature working together with materials made by hand or machine.

Website

Technology

Does technology mean that you have to think less about taking the perfect photograph?

It has actually opened new doors in the way we process an image, share it and enhance it. But technology certainly hasn’t changed the amount of time we spend taking the perfect photo. We still look for that magic moment or visual we have set in our minds.

Advice

You have achieved so much in your career. What advice would you give aspiring photographers?

I would say; don’t get seduced by all the technology, cameras and gadgets. Work simple to start off with, and don’t spend a lot of money in the beginning. Build your kit slowly and find your style or way of how you want to shoot. Try a little bit of everything before you commit to the heavy gear. I use one camera and one lens as it allows me to shoot and commit to the image and framing rather than to play it safe and adjust everything later in post-production. Commit to the image and shoot daily till you find that one path you love the most.

What sets you apart from other photographers?

Well, I love to try new methods of approaching a subject as it’s often easy to fall into a set pattern of shooting in a safe zone. So it’s always nice to try and create different moods with images or film to evoke different responses from the viewer.

Are all photographers able to create videos and vice versa?

That’s two different fields and industries entirely. I’ve seen a few photographers make the jump to film, and the results are astonishing, as the beauty and grace of a still image carry through to the videos they shoot. But most photographers/videographers tend to stay in their domain. It’s a creative process at heart, and we will never stop learning, so it’s never a case of mastering one or the other and then moving on.

The Pandemic

Has your sector changed since the pandemic?

Covid-19 changed many lives and made us all look deep into our lives and how we conduct our daily lives and business. But although the amount of commercial creative projects slowed down, people found new ways to express themselves while staying at home. So it had slowed down but thankfully beginning to pick up pace as businesses, and brands get back onto their feet, and the advertising market gets back into its stride.

Do you need synergy between the photographer and the subject?

When working with people, it’s always good to be on the same page and set a goal in what you hope to achieve. The basic ingredients are always there, so you need to let your subject or model become who they need to be to create that look or performance. I personally don’t like controlling the subject too much as it’s nice to be fluid and open to ideas that may enhance the campaign or image. Often, the best images are the ones we don’t set strict poses for; it’s the rare glances or sudden head turns a model or artist will give that really capture a moment on film. They can’t be repeated. Beautiful mistakes often are the best.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Qaiser Azim (@qaiserazim)

What do you think the photography landscape will look like in the next five years?

I think the sheer number of images and video content being produced will overwhelm us and open up the doors to a lot of hidden talent. The range and style or expression will grow. As technology makes creativity more accessible, it will push us as creatives to explore new areas of our minds and artistic response.

Mobile Vs DSLR

Can mobile phone technology ever compete with a traditional camera?

I’m not one to focus too much on technology as my eyes, heart, and mind capture the image first in terms of composition, light and colour. The rest is just getting it down on paper. So many great images are being caught on cell phones because it’s all about how you shoot with it or frame the subject at a particular time. Phones will always get better and sharper or have deeper clarity over time. However, they don’t have the flexibility of changing lenses or settings as traditional cameras do.

Theory Vs experience

In your sector, what’s more important, theory or experience?

Experience all the way. The theory will only get you so far or guide you to do’s and don’ts. A little experience will give you that edge and confidence over anything you could possibly read in books or by watching videos. You simply need to grab any camera you can get your hands on and shoot every day for a while. I’m still learning even now, and I pick up something new on almost every shoot—a new way to light, or camera angle or a way to move the camera. Having practical experience will always have the edge, and it will show in front of clients.

How important are image/ video platforms, and why?

Seeing other people’s work and even learning online are crucial in growing and feeling part of a community. Knowing that other people have the same experiences as yourself or shoot in similar styles is always comforting. In addition, the ability to see and access content from thousands of libraries online makes research and education far easier than it was when I started out. This is the most creative time we are living right now, and we are moving forward at incredible speeds. Tech, art, and lives change and evolve at a shocking rate, so it’s essential to find your foundations and grow from there.

Social Media

How important is social media to you, and why?

We used to mark having work printed in a magazine or be shown on television as the height of success, but of course, now social media has become the amalgamation of everything we used to read or watch. So yes, social media and sharing work is the main avenue now of content traffic and distribution. Posting online has always served me well and generated new clients. You should always post work that speaks to you in the deepest way. Someone out there will see it, and it will reach or touch someone, which in turn creates a response. It’s a gateway to unlimited avenues as you never know where your next project will come from.

What are you currently working on?

I have just finished shooting a meditation dance video with some fantastic musicians and the most expressive dancer. We all have our set roles and get to express ourselves through one piece of music.

The Future

What projects would you like to be involved with in the future?

I trained up on mainstream movies and dramas, so that experience is still hidden deep within. Therefore, the only natural evolution is to move forward towards short films and eventually features films.

Creativity

Are you creative all the time?

I think we as a species are always creative in our own set paths, and the mind doesn’t rest if you have that passion for expressing or making something that others can enjoy. I love to draw, write, paint and even make things out of various materials. So the need to ‘create’ something daily is always there.

If you were not a photographer/ videographer, what sector would you be working in and why?

I always wanted to be a painter working alone late at night in a studio, surrounded by canvases, colour in a room filled with the scent of oil paints.

Photographer

I studied art and design when I was younger, and that will always be my true love. However, creating videos or images all stem from drawing with my hands.

Contact us for an editorial on your life story.

The post Behind the brand – Interview with Qaiser Azim. appeared first on The Networking Magazine.

Regardless of your figure, I wholeheartedly believe that sports bras are an absolute necessity when working out – especially for those high impact movements. If you’re built anything like me though, that support is essential to a comfortable workout but there’s absolutely no way that you’re prancing around bare bellied! That’s why tank tops were invented. 

On a serious note, layering when working out is always a good idea. And, a tank top worn on top of a sports bra can easily be whipped off when you get to that over-heating point mid-workout, if you fancy it of course. 

But how do you wear yours, feel comfortable and still look good? After all, workout gear has now become a trend in itself and I strongly feel that if I’m looking good whilst in my gym kit I’m always that little bit more motivated and confident when exercising. 

Now, the question is – do you actually want your sports bra to be visible (that hey, look at me I’m cute whilst working out type of vibe!) or is it merely functional?

If it’s the latter, then you’re going to be more conscious of its visibility under your tank top.

Here are some easily wearable tips for your ultimate layering look:

The Actual Bra

Padded/Structured Sports Bra

With thin fabric or figure-hugging tank tops, padded or structured bras are not only great for coverage of your intimate areas but work well to support those HIT workouts where every body part wants to defy gravity, leaving you sweat ridden. With most padded sports bras coming with removable pads, these are also versatile depending on the weather or for laundry purposes.

That sassy fashionable sports bra

Now – it’s all fashion, fashion, fashion. With sportswear now becoming a recognisable part of the fashion industry, you will not be short of options for that “show off” sports bra. There are so many variations of dynamic styles, fabrics and prints with all kinds of interesting strap structures!

One of my favourites is the Bee Wild Camo Sports Bra – it makes you look like you really mean business when attacking that training session.

Racer/Criss Cross Back Sports Bra

If you don’t want your sports bra to be visible under your tank top then racer back styling is the way forward. With most tank tops being made in a racer back design, this is ideal for that discreet wearability factor. Personally, I love The Bee-Youtiful Sports Bra – Mint as it is a combination of the both.

Spaghetti Straps Sports Bra

If your tank top isn’t racerback, fret not. Although most sports bras have wide shoulder straps for additional support, you can actually find spaghetti strapped options, which can be concealed and not show on your shoulders.

The Tank Top

With gym wear being a fashion statement, you will be able to find all kinds of tank tops! If you don’t want your sports bra to be visible, the options above are great but you can also opt for a tank top with small armholes and wide shoulder area fabrication. My go-to at the moment, which denotes my current mood, is the “Bees don’t kill my vibe” number. It is a total vibe in itself.

I’d love to see how you wear yours if you’re uploading selfies (as we do, when we want the social media world to know that yes, yes, yes we are working out today (!))

Our bees have been beesy! 

– www.banditbee.co.uk

We are so excited to launch our first new eco leggings.  Made from 100% recycled polyester & spandex – we are absolutely buzzing!  Available in UK sizes 6-18, 7/8th length in black only.  Available to pre-order now – just drop us a DM @banditbeeofficial

The post Welcome to the hive. appeared first on The Networking Magazine.

By Sanj Saigal

A boutique fashion recruitment agency.

Shelley Pinto began her career in fashion at the age of just fifteen. She worked as a sales assistant for a fashion boutique chain. Her aspiration to become a buyer would see her work as a buying assistant at House of Fraser for a few years before transitioning over to the recruitment sector. Within the Fashion and Retail landscape, she spent 30 years working with retailers, brands and suppliers, placing candidates from junior to C suite executives both in the UK and Internationally. I was intrigued by the person who others have described as being a brand and was excited to share a virtual coffee over a Zoom meeting to find out more about the owner of TRP Recruitment in London.

If I had an opportunity to write a book about you, what would chapter one of your journey be called?

“A passion for fashion” I know it sounds cliche, but fashion has always been one of my main interests from an early age. Whether shopping or researching into the industry or “sell don’t tell”,- I think I am a natural salesperson. It stems from my first Saturday job working on a commission-only basis for a fabulous retailer called Charli. I learnt a lot from the owners. Nowadays, I am always selling – be it a candidate to a client, a job/company to a candidate, or even getting my family to do things for me.

I know that you have deep routes with the recruitment sector. May I ask you why you are so passionate about your industry?

If you mean recruitment, the answer is easy, for just over thirty years I have been helping people, watching how their journeys have unfolded, giving them advice, and hopefully changing their lives for the better as well as assisting companies in benefiting them by providing them with the right people.

I remember a few years ago, a client who was the owner of a large retail chain said to me; “I gave them what they needed, not what they wanted”. Which always stuck with me.

I also feel that I have worked with some incredible people over the years and made a real difference to their careers, placing people sometimes 2 or 3 times and working in partnership with my clients and becoming an extension of their company. If I hadn’t gone into recruitment, I would have liked to have been a teacher; I enjoy seeing people learn and develop, so recruitment has allowed me to use my sales skills to influence candidates and clients. I am passionate about the fashion and retail industry, I think I have been a shopaholic at heart from early on in my career!

The lockdown is a unique scenario; in my thirty years of experience, people have never been so grateful to get a new job, especially in such challenging market conditions.

Shelley Pinto

This has been an unprecedented time. I know that you are a specialist recruiter, so on behalf of our readers, is this a good time to search for a new position?

With so many people still on Furlough, one of the main questions is, will there be a position for them at the end of the scheme? Sadly not, I fear so many companies have taken this time to restructure and have realised not all the roles they had were needed. I have seen an upturn in recent months on several new roles being created where clients have seen gaps in their market or business, so this could be a good time for some people. Coupled with many new businesses popping up, a lot of people have become extremely entrepreneurial and small businesses set up in early lockdown are now starting to hire.

My advice to anyone looking for a new role at the moment would be to tell people to be proactive if applying online for a role, obviously ensuring their cv is correct and with relevant achievements to the role.

Send a follow-up email or try and call after applying; this will let the employer know you are keen.

Social media has changed how recruitment operates, so the critical thing is to ensure candidates LinkedIn profile is up to date with an excellent professional picture and set your Facebook profile to private! Lots of employers and recruiters may be inclined to check on potential employees.

If Furlough continues, keep in touch with employers, letting them know you are keen to come back, offering to work in another role perhaps if needed.

Interestingly Over 60% of people who we are working with are currently looking for work while being employed.

It shows good people still want career moves.

During my professional career, I have lived through many economic downturns. It has been one of the worst times, but keeping up to date with your industry is critical. Be aware of new trends and changes, and upskilling where possible is essential. There are also many opportunities to be had in a freelance capacity as companies may not look at a permanent role; I have noticed a definite increase in short term contract being offered over the past six months.

“Thirty years of experience fused with a passion for fashion”.

If I was a client searching for a recruiter, why should I choose trp?

With over 30 years of experience and industry contacts, my team and I offer an honest, approachable and consultative service. Often referred to as Mrs P in the workplace, there was no way that I would leave this interview without knowing what that stood for, so when pressed, she offered; personable, passionate and persistent as the definition. Although intended to be in a light-hearted tone, I could see that these words were more of a code of conduct than just a strap-line.

Do all recruiters offer the same products and services?

Fundamentally, yes would be the answer to that question, but I would say that it’s not what you do, more how you do it as a recruiter. Here at trp recruitment, we always go the extra mile, speaking to clients and candidates out of office hours, during the weekends and even when we are away, people come first.

If you took a step back in time and met yourself at the precise moment that you chose to be in your sector and were able to meet yourself. What advice would you give the younger version of yourself?

To be nice to everybody; you never know who they might know or when your paths will cross in your careers. It’s something which I feel I have done and continue to do; it is a small world; people remember you for what you do and say to them. It’s also true that you should remain grounded because the people you meet on the way up are also there to greet you on the way down.

The future is not written yet; what does yours look like?

I hope that as we come out of this awful pandemic that has affected the fashion and retail industry so severely, my business continues. I foresee growth in both the digital and international sectors, where we see more opportunities arise. There will still be a need for quality candidates rather than quantity from a client’s perspective, which will remain a key feature in the future. Partnering with other agencies is also a possibility.

If I asked your clients to describe you, what do you think they would say?

She would make light of those three words mentioned earlier – personable, passionate and persistent. And, of course, professionally, some might even refer to me as politely pushy.

The post Nothing changes, if nothing changes. appeared first on The Networking Magazine.

One of the fascinating aspects of my job is that I meet so many different people from all walks of life. When that imaginary curtain is pulled back, and you’re faced with speaking to a stranger, you never really know if there will be a spark that ignites a conversation.

Lottie Woods

This year, we wanted to give back something to our readers in January, an opportunity to enter a competition for a feature. The winner of that competition was Lottie from Lottie Woods Design. Before the interview, I’d done my research, revealing an impressive background in design telling a story about a person who broke away from the chains of a nine to five. Lottie believed in her skills and decided to forge forward and start a service business of her own. Anyone who knows my story will draw a paradigm between us, I think it was that underlying feature that made my interview extra special. An underlying belief that it’s possible to work for yourself.

For someone who in her own words has to wear so many (metaphorical) hats in the context of running a business, she seemed calm, relaxed and very confident, something that I picked up on immediately. I was intrigued to get to know more about the person behind the business.

Why Design?

I have always been a creative, so it felt like a perfect match for me, from an early age I knew that I was creative and excelled in both art and textile at school, so fashion felt like an obvious step to take.  After graduating from Nottingham Trent, I moved to London to work for high street suppliers. This gave me the experience that I needed to develop my skills in creating commercial clothing designs. It was a good opportunity to learn about the industry, travel, and allowed a period of growth, both professionally and personally.

Turning Point

While I am grateful for my time working for large suppliers, I felt that something was missing, that there was more for me to accomplish, almost a calling for a higher purpose. I wanted to connect with others who have a passion for sustainable fashion, so I left the constraints of having a full-time position and learned how to use my design skills to work for myself. A defining moment was getting my first design projects for independent brands, which built my confidence before launching my website and making it official, and my freelance design business has grown from there.

Advice

I had experienced the recruitment sector in a previous life, and one of my favourite questions that I asked candidates was; what advice would you give a younger version of yourself? This was a thought-provoking question for Lottie as there were a few moments of silence before she was forthcoming with an answer. Her advice would be: follow your instincts, play to your strengths, and be open to new opportunities. I got the impression that her words would resonate with a younger audience.

Stop dreaming, start doing.

Lottie Woods

Business

Time is a challenge to balance between taking on new projects and building the business from within. She referred to it as a steep ongoing learning curve. This seems to be a common denominator with so many people who I’ve interviewed for this magazine. Perhaps it’s a trait that separated those who prefered to work for themselves instead of working for others. Some of the qualities that I noted were her ability to take so-called creative breaks, draw from the people’s strengths and the community around her and to take breaks to enable a helicopter view when needed.

Social Media

Instagram is her chosen platform which allows her to connect with startups and independent brands who identify with her message and need a helping hand. On many levels, Instagram seems like the perfect choice for design since allowing her to stay creative and make connections. I believe Instagram found Lottie rather than the other way round.

Change

I think everyone would agree that 2020 has forced businesses to think more about change. There’s an interesting flip on the industries, particularly the high street. Retail as a sector has to listen to its customers, and they are demanding to know more about ethical production processes, something we have never seen on this scale before.  There is a shift towards smaller independents who represent a cross-section of society, which has impacted design. Unfortunately, the traditional retail giants are falling as these voices are being heard in ever-growing numbers.

I want high streets to survive, but I think people will connect more towards independents and boutiques. I referred to the growth of pop up shops across key areas in London, and it sparked light into the conversation reimbursing her perspective.

The Brand

Lottie offers a commercial eye and an understanding of creating wearable designs focused around her client’s briefs. She creates a safe space for developing ideas and helping to turn them into exciting real-life products.  A wealth of experience brought into the mix can give a business a strategic advantage, avoiding many of the difficulties often associated with creating a new clothing range.

The Future

 I was curious about the future of her consultancy business. She will continue to create tech packs and designs for clients while launching a new website later in the year with helpful downloadable resources that will give rise to a deeper and richer service experience. I am so intrigued by her unique take on resources such as a collection planner that I would like to follow up on her story. Our time was drawing to an end, and I was left with the feeling that I have known Lottie for years. Her determination and passion for developing an already successful consultancy business are notable, and I wish her every success in the future.

The post Me, Myself And I appeared first on The Networking Magazine.

Creativity In The Time Of COVID.

An interview with Alanah Mills.

In occupational terms, some of the hardest hit have been freelance creatives, shorn of the security of concrete employment. I spoke to Alanah Mills, who has faced life in this most turbulent of years as part of both categories. She is a freelance fashion photographer, as well as someone who has had to isolate for months due to underlying health conditions. Alanah opened up about the realities facing freelance creatives during this precarious era, as well as her own struggles in an extended lockdown due to her extremely vulnerable status. 

How has the COVID-19 pandemic affected your work? 

Due to various health conditions I’m extremely vulnerable so initially wasn’t  initially able to leave the house from the end of March. This meant I wasn’t able to do any shoots for a number of months. I had gone freelance only a few months before the pandemic and then had to turn down a lot of bookings and potential new clients. With life slowly returning so a sense of normality, it has felt like starting all over again. I’m lucky as I have my own studio in Manchester City Centre so have been able to return at my own pace, as lockdown has eased.

Do you feel that the events of Covid-19 will leave a lasting effect on the photography industry?

Definitely! Some people have been unlucky enough to lose their jobs because of this pandemic and many businesses have closed because of it. In particular it’s such a shame for small independent businesses who haven’t had adequate support. 

What advice would you give to creatives who have been affected by the pandemic?

Keep creating, I’ve been doing a lot of test shoots alongside my paid work. It’s a great outlet for my creativity as I feel I can plan these more and tailor them more to my own tastes. It’s important to do work which makes you feel proud, and even if your freelance commissions have slowed down due to the pandemic, it’s important to get out there and create. You need to keep creating because if you leave that, your mental health will struggle because that’s who you are. 

Did you take on any creative endeavours while you were isolating?

I focused on showing how the pandemic was affecting me through my images. I got back into doing self-portraits, something I haven’t done since I first started as a photographer. I feel I’ve grown a lot since then, and now my images have more meaning than they did then.

Would you say that the fashion world has been influenced by global events such as the Black Lives Matter movement?

I feel that in some ways, yes it is but I still feel more needs to be done. I have absolutely loved the efforts from businesses such as Pretty Little Thing, who did a great Pride campaign. It’s been great to see ASOS and H&M get involved in the Black Lives Matter movement. Things have changed for the better within fashion in recent years; there is a larger range of models of different ethnicities, shapes and sizes. However, I still feel more must be done, and there is a large amount of room for improvement. 

Where do you find your inspiration for photoshoots? 

I am an extremely creative person who has crazy ideas usually in the middle of the night. I absolutely love Pinterest for help with ideas, but I still think magazines do fashion best- I love Vogue and Dazed. It’s important to have a vision in your head on what it is you’re looking to achieve from a shoot, such as colour schemes and outfits you would like to use.

What are your hopes for the next 12 months of your career?

I just hope that things get back to normal. I hope to be shooting regularly, and that the world isn’t as scary a place as it has been in 2020.

The post Pictured It Differently appeared first on The Networking Magazine.

Did you know that the clothing and textile industry is the second largest polluter in the world? Shockingly, 85% of textiles end up in a landfill, where 95% of them could actually be recycled! These are just a couple of the striking facts which have driven Designer Ashokji Bhojaji Odedra, who is the founder and creator of the brand – Ji Ji By Odedra, to want to make a change for the better. Having pursued a career in the fashion industry myself, I am stunned at the proportion of wastage and pollution inflicted upon the environment, people and animals.

Likewise, Ashokji has been on a global journey, with numerous encounters that led him to have a vision which paves the way for emerging sustainable fashion brands. Having started his career in Manchester (UK),  prior to moving to Beijing, followed by Spain and Kuwait (just to name a few of the countries!), Ashokji’s greatest inspiration was fuelled by his experiences in China and Bangladesh. His tales of working abroad enthral me, and we discuss in length how the sheer shock of being behind the scenes in Bangladeshi factories gave him the inspiration behind the Rebels of Extinction collection and everything his #sustainabiltiesnotjustatrend hashtag and mantra stands for.

Witnessing the impact of fast fashion first hand, mainly where the demand for cheap garments forces factories and suppliers to cut corners which have a damning effect on their workers and the environment, breaking away from the façade of ‘trend’ driven style is crucial for him. His brand takes great pride in creating conscious fashion, and Ashokji is passionate about “not using trends as a marketing tool that trick consumers into wanting to update their wardrobes unnecessarily” and feels strongly that “people should buy quality, not quantity – especially with regard to items that barely last more than two wash cycles”. 

Over the past two years, we have seen a surge in ethical and sustainable initiatives across fashion and other industries. Used as a marketing tool amongst many mass retailers and brands, I was keen to establish what sustainability means for Ashokji and how, as the foundation of his brand, he has managed to uphold this and the challenges associated with doing so.

He continues to educate me on how the reuse of 1 tonne of polyester garments actually only utilises 1.8% of the energy required to manufacture these goods from virgin materials. Further to this, the reuse of 1 tonne of cotton clothing only utilises 2.6% of the energy required to manufacture from pure materials. His brand and aim are strongly driven towards creating a platform where fabrics are used and sourced sustainably, with ethics remaining a core value.

Fast fashion in Western parts of the world is primarily fueled by womenswear, being the largest sector within manufacturing. Ashokji feels strongly that there is great irony in the fact that – “as we become more progressive and fight for gender equality and opportunities, particularly in liberal societies where women have demanded the power to dress how they wish, we disregard the impact of this on manufacturing countries, predominantly in the East. These are largely made up of women and children who are often subjected to mistreatment and exploitation in the garment industry, which is under constant pressure to satiate the demand fueled by fast fashion expectations”.

More recently, due to the pandemic, factory workers and their families have been disproportionately affected by brands and retailers who refused and still do so, to pay for cancelled/excess orders. Before this, exposed to the pollution, ethical issues and riots (associated with the cost of living versus wages), as well as the severity of working conditions in smaller out of town factories in Bangladesh, Ashokji explored the long term impact of environmental pollution further. Discovering that the amount of dead stock and leftover fabrics from factories (from cancelled/excess orders) was immeasurable, he discovered 4 – 5  extremely large warehouses in Central Dhaka that sell these – in a final attempt to salvage something. In the eventuality that these are not bought, they sadly end up in a landfill.

As the driving force behind his inspiration for the ethos of his brand, the Rebels of Extinction collection encompasses the importance of sustainability from a fabric perspective. Forget organic and recycled cotton; why even cultivate something new when there are tonnes of existing dead stocks available? Surely this is the most sustainable method of sourcing fabric? If he is not purchasing from the dead stocks in Bangladesh, UK haberdashery bins are the way forward!

Featured on the catwalk of New York Fashion Week in February 2020, Ashokji made his debut with Rebels of Extinction, an empowering collection with a fundamental message from a fashion designer with a conscience! This was cultivated to convey a gender-fluid feel, using dead stock as well as organic and hand loom pieces. Moving away from the predictability of recycled trends from the 70s, 80s, 90s and so forth, the brand is about embracing expression, originality and creating a non-binary style that allows individuals to steer away from repetitive fashion trend expectations.

With a personal approach to fashion, I love how he describes the collection with a likeness to ‘seasonal cooking’. Made to order, according to whatever fabrics are available at that point in time, you can guarantee a sustainable and original piece of clothing. 

For Ashokji, slow fashion is the way forward. No trends, no seasonality – being transitional is key. This is also translated into the target market, which is most definitely NOT mass. Producing only 10-20 of each piece in a collection means less wastage, a limited edition range and genuine sustainability in terms of fabric sourcing. But what does this mean for distribution and availability, and how can you get your hands on a piece of this revolutionary clothing?

The power of Instagram! Be sure to check out https://www.jijibyodedra.co.uk/, but @jiji_by_odedra is your best bet for acquiring a fashion-conscious piece of clothing to add to your wardrobe.

If you are interested in stocking the brand in your boutique or online store, please reach out to Ashokji at https://www.instagram.com/jiji_by_odedra/  

In addition to this, Ashokji is also working closely on other exciting projects that highlight focusing on conscious fashion and the story behind this collection, so watch this space!

Brand Philosophy:

Ji-Ji By Odedra is an Eco-Conscious Fashion Design which looks at historical fashion influences with modern days influences, that inspires elegance in everyday life…

With a focus on using deadstock, organic, upcycled, and handloom fabrics, Ashokji  truly believes that:

“One should always be able to look stylish and elegant; let’s do this with a clear conscience and not sacrifice our fashion look & style”.

Ji Ji By Odedra: A fashion brand and designer with a message!

A brand that is aimed at conscientious fashion consumers who want to make a difference.

Fashion Sustainability Tips:

• You don’t need a wardrobe filled with sustainable and ethically made clothes – wear what you already have for longer. An extra 10-11 months extended wear can reduce environmental impact massively

• Use eco-friendly washing detergent and look after what you purchase

• Be conscious of packaging when purchasing new items – is it reusable or recyclable?

• Question who made your clothes. Have workers been paid a living wage? 

• Steer away from following ongoing trends; have your own style/fashion/unique look, which allows you to focus on buying quality over quantity. Rather than being influenced, slow down and learn to love and be creative with the clothes that you already have.

• As a consumer, you have the power to put pressure on brands to be more sustainable and ethical when manufacturing abroad – USE YOUR VOICE!

“A brand that is aimed at conscientious fashion consumers who want to make a difference“.

The post JI JI BY ODEDRA appeared first on The Networking Magazine.

Physiotherapist and Housing Officer by day and budding entrepreneurs by night, former flat mates Bilal and Tom recently teamed up to create a brand that has me really excited! Sustainable, playful, with tongue in cheek slogans and most importantly at an accessible price point (YES, I AM SURE!), re: think Clothing – the brainchild of this duo, brings competitiveness to the market in terms of emerging affordable brands.

With sustainability being all the rage at the moment, I was keen to get to know the guys more, find out the inspiration behind this project and exactly what makes them different.

By Shabnam Choudhary

Both Tom and Bilal are light hearted, friendly and passionate about their products which is emanated throughout the designs and cheeky slogans of their soft launch Christmas Jumper range. My favourites are best sellers “Co-Co-Covid” & “Hands off my puds”! As with a lot of recent projects, being in lockdown during the pandemic fuelled their motivation to do something they had been pondering for some time. During the past 6-9 months they had noticed that their buying habits had naturally evolved and this had been a result of increased exposure to issues concerning climate change, increased plastic wastage and eco-friendly initiatives, from food to clothing and household products.

This led them to research more in to articles and documentaries exploring how detrimental the fashion industry is when it comes to wastage and lack of sustainable processes within the supply chain – from farming methods to buying habits and consumerism.

Inspired by iconic t shirt designs, social media and current trends, re: think’s main aim is to be future proof and not feed in to the cycle of fast fashion demands. The brand is conscious about circular economies of scale and this lays the foundation of everything from manufacturing to packaging. “If we can change belief, we can change behaviour” and in order to do that we need to think. With a play on words, the re: think brand name encourages the consumer to consider re-cycling, re-learning and being responsible in regard to shopping habits.

Let’s talk about sourcing and manufacturing. With extensive research in to organic and traditional farming methods, Bilal and Tom were able to gage the differences and how these impacted costs throughout supply chain. Albeit more expensive, certification to denote fair trade and end to end supply chain visibility was essential to building the foundation of this brand. Ensuring that workers are paid fairly, cotton is in fact organic, 100% renewable energy is utilised and that sustainability is followed all the way through to packaging is not something that will be compromised for profit margins, as we see with many established and new fast fashion brands.

Manufacturing predominantly from North India, Bangladesh and South Asia, re: think works with only certified suppliers, who are benchmarked and audited by regulatory bodies. With a mission to reduce their carbon footprint and support UK trade, they have also sourced local suppliers where possible and continue to do so. 

After testing the receptiveness of the market with their compact Christmas range, being experimental, bold, and playful paid off. Upon receiving a positive response in terms of sales, as well as customer feedback, the below points are well worth noting and remembering!

• All jumpers were printed using water based vegan ink, therefore not harmful to the environment
• Print on demand service meant no stock holding and no wastage
• The ability to re-cycle all jumpers means zero wastage and the creation of a circular economy
• There was also a recycled range, demonstrating how product will be once it has gone through this process
• All the profits from the soft launch were donated to charity (Birmingham Central food bank/Unmuted) in support of the struggles caused by the Covid 19 pandemic
• The brand will continue to support local charity initiatives going forward

So, what we can expect from the first range due to launch this February 2021? Staple wardrobe essentials – a core leisurewear range with understated hoodies, embroidery and print designs using organic cotton. Due to the success of the Christmas Jumpers, I am also thrilled to know that there will be more themed, “risky” sub ranges; all of course using sustainable manufacturing methods.

As with all small businesses, I am keen to know if there are growth plans and how re: think would upscale their initiatives to change consumption on a mass scale. At present, the focus is on growing a loyal following – through the website and social media platforms. Long term goals are quite impressively focused on a B2B model, targeting UK companies that have a consistent need for employee uniforms. I had never previously considered the impact of uniform supply wastage and how once an employee leaves and discards of their clothing/requires new uniform items, these are disposed of and often end up in a landfill. With little investment required by these companies, re: think’s capacity to offer recyclable garments could make a massive difference to this unnecessary wastage.

This is not a fad! Let’s support re: think to create a movement and disrupt an industry that has contributed so heavily to the destruction of our environment.

Ensure you follow them on Instagram @rethinkclothinguk and check out https://rethinkclothing.co.uk/ for their new range.

Q&A SECTION – Quite enjoyed getting to know the guys!

What makes re: think stand out from the crowd of emerging sustainable fashion brands?

• Wearable yet fashionable clothing
• 100% Organic cotton
• Print on demand service – no wastage
• Water based vegan printing methods
• Support local and international small businesses 
• Charity initiatives 
• Conscious and affordable lifestyle brand
• Opportunity to upscale as B2B
• Conscious of corporate responsibility & circular economies

Do you plan on expanding your product range any time soon?

We are working one step at a time, and it is important that we follow a gradual growth model. This way growth is sustainable, and we won’t be forced to compromise on our fundamental values as a company. Having said that, we are currently looking at developing our accessories range to compliment the clothing.

How did you meet?

Bilal: We met at university through a mutual friend, David. I think we agreed to live with each other before we met, and then spent a very late night in the library on campus, doing anything but the assignments we went to do. He kept asking what I was drinking..

Tom: First time I met Bilal was outside the uni library. He was going in with a mug of tea, but not a travel mug like any other person, but one from the kitchen…at that point I questioned why I said yes to living with him

What is your top sustainable fashion tip?

Bilal: Never throw clothing in the bin

Tom: Wash on 30 degrees

What is an absolute fashion no-no for you?

Bilal: White socks, black shoes 

Tom: Clashing patterns: too many loud pieces – you look like a supernova of loud. 

What’s your controversial fashion opinion?

Bilal: Double denim

Tom: I quite like white socks, black shoes

Which part of the process have you enjoyed the most so far?

Tom: Designing – it’s been entertaining to brainstorm and bring ideas to life

Bilal: Changing Tom’s designs 

The post re:think appeared first on The Networking Magazine.