Erin Neri Intern
Last 7 weeks I’ve got opportunity to intern for 3rd year student to help them with final collection for fashion show. I treated it as a priceless experience, adventure and interesting way to improve my skills.
My first designer was Erin Neri. Her collection was inspired by YAKUZA- Japanese Mafia. She focused on traditional kimonos and tattoos.
One of the most iconic images of the yakuza is their intricate, full-body tattoo art. These use a traditional method of manually inserting ink under the skin, known as irezumi. They are seen as a mark of a person’s bravery due to the pain the method inflicts. In recent years, the number of non-yakuza getting this style of tattoo has increased significantly. Popular designs include dragons, mountains, and women.Despite this widening trend of tattoos among non-yakuza, they still carry a significant stigma in Japanese society. The mayor of Osaka instituted a banon government workers with tattoos, telling them to either have their ink removed, or leave and find a job in the private sector.
At the beginning I was stitching simple things, finishing the garments. I was hemming the shirts and coat.
I did preparation for prints on Erin’s garments. I’ve got opportunity to get access to Printmaking Studio but on of Technician literally kicked me out.
Another days were about traveling across the London to get necessary things.
Erin sent me to central London to get hangers and clothes covers. Before that I went to Shepherd’s Bush. I discovered A-1 one shop. I’ve never been there before. I found out a lot of interesting fabrics and details in bargain price.
When I arrived to Soho I went to Clothes shop to get some coated cotton, frozen plastic for Erin’s labels.
Next day she had hand-in of her line-up of final collection. She was behind, so I offered her help with line-up.
15.04.2015
During last night I was preparing and improving line- up for Erin. It was interesting experience. I’ve got closer look to all the details of her collection. After that few hours later I handed in her line-up. Rest of the day unfortunately I had to spend at work.
Other days I was keep sewing and sewing...
Next day was all about prints and patterns. I prepared for her and taped prints to top stitch them. After that I start to top stitching them.
After that I was drawing pattern for coat and linings.
Couple of girls from third year show me how to work with coated cotton and bond-web. It was something new for me.
It took ages... but the final effect was satisfactory. It was a looong day...
On Friday after my seminars I joined my new 3rd year team.
The day was quite intensive. I did some work for Erin but she didn’t need that much help this day... She told me to help others... so I helped them.
One of the wall’s picture in 3rd year students studio.
I was ironing, preparing and cut out the patterns, ‘fighting’ with pleats for one of the girls in her design of trousers. ( I forgot her name). They showed me how to cut the patterns in the right way to avoid mistakes etc. and how to nicely finish the garments. From time to time I was assisting as a model for others.
20.04. 2015 3 days to INTERNAL FASHION SHOW
I’m getting excited. Last few days were ‘mental’ how Paul (our Head of Fashion Design Degree) says. We were doing everything what necessary to finish collection. I was finishing the prints and stitch them into the garments. We were preparing accessories and details, (bands, belts, metal buckles etc).
I was cleaning the garments, edges after coated cotton and many more.
I designed and did clutch bag for Erin.
Time flown so fast. The most important day for 3rd years students was just few hours away...
23.04.2015
On the day of fashion show I was dressing the models at the backstage. It was my first time. I was really stressed and excited. Everything looked nice before fashion show during the fittings and awaiting for start. We the fashion show started all the people got ready and stressed. Everything was amazing and went smooth. Last few weeks was priceless, that’s everything what I can say.
One of the garments which I was working on. Erin Neri.
Picture from Middlesex University page on facebook.
Some pictures at backstage: