Volunteers from the ASOS Garment Technology and Design teams dropped by UEL throughout the week to offer their expertise. Not only did they help our Fashion Future Finalists with their garments, they also gave great advice on career paths and education choices.
It was a super busy week, but we grabbed the chance to speak to some of the ASOS team, and ask them why they were volunteering at FAD, and what they’d been getting up to.
Mark Fisher, Senior Designer at ASOS explained what he had been doing throughout the day, ‘We have been nurturing students and trying to guide them through their journey, with pattern cutting, trying to tailor their eye to show them the skill set they really need to make their garments special.’
Mark Fisher, Senior Designer, working with Tamia
The ASOS team believe in the need for projects like Fashion Futures. Menswear Designer Bradley summarised, ‘The charity FAD is really important due to it being an avenue and a way in for people from different backgrounds to get into the industry, offering a challenge to them, it’s something for them to try out when they’ve got nothing to loose’.
Bradley Snowden, Menswear Designer, helping Kier with his embroidery.
Nicola Rolston, Senior Designer, chatted to us the importance of encouraging young people, nurturing the next generation of designers, and how important it is to have opportunities where the generations can cross over. Melanie, a Womenswear Designer went on to talk about her positive experience with the young people, ‘I have really enjoyed meeting young inspirational people, people that are really excited by fashion’.
Nicola Rolston, Senior Designer, and Jack
Fashion Futures Finalist Shayla explained why she enjoyed working with the team. ‘Getting the opportunity to talk to people from ASOS has been so helpful for me, you get to talk to a lot of people find out more about job roles and what you want to do in the future. Not just in fashion design theirs other pathways I wouldn’t have got to talk about if I didn’t meet these people’
Will Hamil, Menswear Designer, in conversation with Teklu
Design Assistant Sara Brown, shares her work with students
Melanie Cullinane, Womenswear Designer, with Georgia
Amanda Hilton, Pattern Cutter, working with Shuqin
Susannah Mensah, Garment Technologist, helping Sumaita with her pattern
We want to say a massive thank you to the ASOS team for sharing your skills, time and insight with the young people at the Summer School last week! We couldn’t have done it without you!