Linda Farrow Interview

This is the initial interview that we used for the Global Sourcing project. Phillip is great at talking about the brand and i don't disagree with anything he says. After working in the company for the past 11 weeks, I feel LF are a lot more down to earth but is still extreme in design as they don't like to present barriers of cost if the design is brilliant.

Follow this link to listen

Sample Sale

Last Friday, I helped out on the Linda Farrow sample sale in the showroom of HQ. It was great fun and it meant I could get to know the customer a lot better. Working in the design department meant i knew how much things costed, why they are so expensive and i could easily source the right colour lens or find the right shape quickly. For example, some customers would come in and know they love blue lenses or they want a cat-eye frame but also want a fully circular lens.

We were selling the products from £20-£150, with the oldest and most unusual collections at £20 and precious lenses with snakeskin at £150. There were always a few customers that expected high quality or more of a reduction for heavily discounted items due to their imperfections. A quick reminder of the original retail price usually helped to settle the matter.

I loved sourcing the right product or finding a frame that they love and the difference in that person is huge, especially when they walk away really happy and they've put their trust into your judgement. I really enjoy working with customers.

Skin Library

Yesterday i was given three huge boxes full of hundreds of different skins, and told to categorize them alongside a swatch book.  The skins ranging from watersnake skin and python, to alligator and stingray, all in a huge range of brilliant colours, though some you really felt sorry that the animal had to die at all for such a ghastly print (as below)

There were also some skins that i couldn't believe were so beautiful (which were the majority, see below)

I have never been one for wearing any kind of print, whether that's leopard, snake or croc. It has never appealed to me on a bases that it looks terrible. As a farmers' daughter I've always understood that life is just a circle, and we've all got to get on with it before the inevitable happens, and for animals that inevitable may mean what they don't need anymore may go to help improve the lives of others.    

Some of the most beautiful were the iridescent or metallic colours, however on a product i could imagine they could look way too much and rather vulgar. I really don't think eyewear needs this extravagance. Is it right an animal to be killed just for a very easily broken accessory? Not sure the life the animal is giving up is improving the life of another at all.

However, here is some of the catalogue;

The Mcqueen Exhibition

On Friday i had the day off work as my godmother had some tickets for the Alexander Mcqueen exhibition in the V&A. I was very excited, every piece of artwork or design has had reference to his work as through the years i've thoroughly searched books and online. i was continuously inspired by his 3 dimensional shapes, the beautiful construction and his love for art and the bizarre.

After looking through the collection of work. It was noticeable how he was able to turn 'ugly' materials, like flesh coloured latex or human hair, and turn it into something beautiful through adding embellishment or draping and tailoring.

I found the exhibition both brilliant and strange. No expense has been spared for the presentation, but its quite strange how many recordings and quotes there are, especially the way he talks through them, with his hopes to become a legend. With the collections packed full of super human beings and gods and demons, it's slightly disturbing to think about the man and mind behind these incredible clothes. It feels personal, almost too personal to see these pieces of art and to understand what went through his mind when creating them.

Today and the last few weeks have been much easier, I feel as though i'm settling in much better and am able to do many tasks and help out better. I'm happy with the amount i have learnt so far, on illustrator, within the office and on reception.

I'm really happy with this placement so far. With just 3.5 weeks left, time is starting to go really quickly. Its just a shame that the majority of the work is confidential and i am not able to show most of my work.

Lunetier Vintage

Today i discovered this vintage eyewear store 'Lunetier Vintage' in Portobello. Their website is full of the most superb, brilliant and exciting eyewear ive ever seen! You must check it out!

Black eyewear

Black eyewear is based just above Oxford St, surrounded by cafes and restaurants. The company recently presented their collection within the Selfridge's exhibition of 'bright old things' featuring  Robert Roope, the founder of Black eyewear. The exhibition was exciting but the styles are classic.

Even though the staff seemed friendly enough, i was slightly disappointed to find their collection rather mild and unimpressive. I love the layout of the store with long mirror down the one side of this very narrow shop. It was also interesting to see how customer for eyewear shops, how they see another person wearing something and feel the need to try that one on too.