Industry Workshops

Finalists from the FF2 programme were treated to a series of three special workshops designed to give the students an insight into various aspects of the fashion industry. These started with a viewing of an Off-Schedule show at London Fashion Week and tour led by Fashion PR Amanda Johansson. Amanda led the students behind-the-scenes to see preparations in action, where they were given a true feel of the backstage atmosphere that precedes a catwalk show, before taking in Mustafa Aslanturk’s show.

The second workshop took place at the WGSN and Revlon Offices. Joyce Thornton (Editor, Generation Now, WGSN) gave the students an insight into the world of fashion journalism and trend prediction. The students learnt about the importance of trend prediction, and how colour experts analyse future trends. They found out about the skills demanded of a fashion journalist, and the various pathways into the industry. Afterwards, the group visited Revlon to meet with Chris Elshaw, Managing Director. Chris talked to the students individually about their ambitions for further education and beyond. He gave some motivating and inspiring words on how to be successful in your chosen field, before treating the students to a goodie-bag of Revlon products!

Bridalwear Designer Jacqueline Byrne and Martyn Roberts from Embassy HQ led the third Industry Workshop to give students an overview of Fashion Business and the world of Public Relations. Jacqueline, of Jacqueline Byrne in Islington, gave the students a hugely inspiring talk that spanned the formation of her career. She brought along one of her unique wedding gowns to show the students, and sketchbooks of her ideas and designs. She also presented her website, and explained how she used this as a means of promoting her business. Martyn Roberts from Embassy HQ, a PR and Sponsorship Company, then engaged the students in a short lesson about PR. Explaining how to use self-promotion to get ahead, he led the students in a role-playing task in order to get the students really thinking about how to sell themselves.

See 2007 FF2 In Action! here (Acrobat PDF).