17 November 2017

DIESEL'S DAUGTERS: WORK EXPERIENCE


 In the week of 16th-20th October I partook in a week of work experience at Diesel LTD. 

Founded in 1978 by Renzo Rosso, an Italian designer, Diesel is a retail clothing company which sells casual luxury items to a main audience of male consumers, and a smaller proportion to female customers; a huge sacrifice they had to make after the women's department was failing to succeed. However, as they take further steps into catering for Generation Z their clothing is moving to a genderless category which we should all be very excited about!




After a LOT of pestering I was accepted for the placement along with my friend Liz (an aspiring designer who you can read about here) and I could not be more grateful for the time I spent there. Not only did HQ have an amazing, familiar atmosphere to it but the people who work there are so passionate about what they are doing, it inspired me to do whatever I can to find a home in the fashion industry. 

One of the most inspiring people who I met during the course was called Nigel Sam. Previously to working for Diesel full time he worked there for free on the side for 10 years until they persuaded him to work there as their facilities manager after he took over a sales event. The event usually sold £8,000 worth of stock in one day, but with Nigel's help it took a huge turn in profit to £30,000 in 30 minutes!

It is impossible to explain the talent that this man possessed, but he also has a natural ability to read us according to anything from our body language to our shoe choice. This also meant that we were able to practice interview technique with him which was insanely helpful. Zara look out - an interviewee is on her way! 





During my week at Diesel, the company were preparing for 'D-Day' and the first stages of launching their new season of clothing for SS18. This of course called for showrooms to be designed and models to walk. Although I was not strutting my little legs down the cat walk I was able to design a few showrooms and dress a few handsome (!!!) models. Fortunately for Liz and myself the showroom designs were accepted and the models all walked out on time in order...who knew dressing a model in 1.5 minutes into a new pair of clothes four times could give you the same heart beat as a light cardio sesh?!



The week was inspiring to be part of and it just makes me want to get into the fashion industry as soon as I can, hence the first blog post in a while. Although there was a definite sense of stress throughout the week when preparing for 'D-Day' and the press event the following week, the adrenaline made me so excited and as though I was actually part of Diesel HQ.


Before the work experience when I was calling the office yet again to confirm everything, Nigel had picked up the phone and had claimed 'Darling, if you don't have the best week of your life by the end of the work experience, I will eat my hat!' Nigel, do not worry you will not have to eat your hat this time.