GABI KAYLEY

A year completed at Barbour as a menswear outerwear design assistant, working along side the designers of Barbour to create new, fresh collections. I have worked closely with the head designer, who has helped me build my strength and weaknesses over the past year. Drawing up specification sheets for garment production to send off to factories, creating mood boards for design meetings when discussing what fabrics, colours and trims could be used and reviewing sample garments on fit, alterations and aesthetic changes that myself and the other designers think are necessary. My job role has been more than the student learning the rules around the office, i have been part of the team and heavily involved in every process that is included throughout the designing on a garment.

My first project at Barbour was a collaboration with the local company END. A company that sells high end clothing, from outerwear to accessories. Based in Newcastle. We work throughout the early months of 2019 to complete this collaboration. The press release came out around 4 weeks ago now. It is highly motivating seeing product you have worked closely with over the year finally come out in stores around the country and online.

As my time at Barbour is coming to an end, I can now reflect on how far I have comes as an intern, designer and individual. I do believe that working at Barbour and working with the team I have become a much more confident person. The way I approach situations, different people and tasks I've been set are much more professional and mature. As a designer, my skills had widely progressed within using Illustrator and Photoshop. I have learnt things that now make my working ability a lot more quickly, sleeker and to the standard that is expected in industry. I have learnt a lot about myself as a designer, and that is I feel menswear is definitely the route I want to go down within design. I also feel more strongly about the areas that involve marketing, sales and buying. And that having a good eye for clothing and seeing which products sit best together is something I feel more strongly about learning more of. I have had an amazing time while on my work placement year. I feel privileged to have experienced a whole year in industry and to be able to see work I have worked on throughout the year now be in shops, its a massive feeling of accomplishment and satisfaction that this is the area of work I still desire to be involved with throughout my educations or foreseeable future.

Emploring Barbours jacket collection across the years for inspiration

AW20 collection - a collection I’ve been deeply involved with in the design and marketing process

As the last collection with Ben Fogle was a sell out and so successful we as a business and partnership dehisced to continue with the collaboration for the next season ss20. It was a pleasure of ours to have Ben come visit us at Barbour house last week. And a pleasure of mine to be involved so deeply in the meeting between some members of the design that are involved. Meeting Ben was such a great opportunity and also just to be involved within the meeting. Where we discussed what we think the next collection should look like. Getting feedback from the team and ben was really interesting and just shows how verbal and physical communication can impact the design process and everyone’s understanding so positively.

As I have been working on the Ben Fogle collaboration for quite some time now, being able to see it on social media platforms is very exciting and a very proud achievement. To see the product that you have been working closely with for the past 4 months and seeing how successful and positive the feedback is from Ben himself and his and Barbour’s audience is overwhelming for a young designer in my first year of working in the industry.

Newcastle

Launch day 2, pretty much the same as yesterday just much more of everything. Today we try showcase as much as we can for main season AW20. Which is quite difficult when were still in the development stages of the collections for this season. This day was slightly more fun for me. As I got to help style the models for each collection.

The first day of launch was this week. There was a lot of pressure on in Barbour house. However the way was enjoyable through meeting new people, seeing the presentations and product be shown to the clients. My role was giving ah helping hand where was needed. Mostly helping dress the models in the order of the presentation.

LONDON/BARBOUR

My colleagues try to keep me in the research head space while I’m at Barbour. Ensuring I’m learning every day and keep in touch with my creative thinking and having an eye for new style. Waterproof research is one that I was given this week. Finding information on the latest technology, materials and brands. I love using Pinterest as a platform for my research as it gives you great paths to follow in what you’re trying to research. My favourite thing about waterproof fabrics is the 3-layer fabric. The research behind this fabric is for the material to act like a layer of skin. Protecting the clothing underneath. The use of taped seams is a great way to evolve the way a garment is constructed in an interesting yet aesthetically pleasing way. A lot of brands tend to use contracting coloured tapes seams. Enabling the interior of garments to become more interesting.