Post 3.

I’ve gained a much better understanding of the inner workings of a fashion business.
Being brought up in a family business i already have a good understanding of business. I think however that by being in a fashion studio I am expanding my knowledge in context of my own interests.


I think above all what internships do in general is show you what skills you actually need in a job. By doing this internship I understand what parts of my final year are to be prioritised and what parts of my learning are most important. Being able to do things that are practical in a fashion career are much more important than the superficial bits or things which wont benefit me after graduation. It's all about applying what I've learnt to a real job, and knowing that what I'm learning can be applicable.

Post 2.

The main priority at the moment is to get all patterns cut and toiled ready to be fit on models, so they can be sent for grading. I’ve been cutting out fabric for toiles and sample garments which are mainly sewn up by the studio machinist.

This is a dress sample that was to be sewn up to go to India for reference in factory. I am cutting the lining and the main body of the dress together as they are the same pattern.

Me in action
Credit to Zillah (design assistant) for taking photo

I've spent quite a lot of time working on creating front and back technical flats/ drawings for the pre collection. With a knowledge of illustrator already, I am finding these relatively easy and simple to do. However practice makes perfect and I feel my skills on the program will only improve after using it for a whole pre collection.

On the practical side I’m using hand sewing skills, for buttons, hooks, cutting fabric out for toiles and samples.

Hand sewing sequins along seams which have some missing.

The organisation of the studio is a priority as to keep it functioning smoothly. I’ve helped by sorting fabrics into different types, organising patterns for different seasons in folders and generally keeping the place tidy.

While interning I have visited a few different factories in London. One was specifically for leather accessories such as belts, the first factory I visited was a Leather factory which was full of skins and fascinating to look around. the third factory I have had to go to has been their main manufacturers for UK manufactured garments.

Dress for a customer.
On the stand so that the fabric in the skirt can fall, as the fabric is cut on the bias.
Once it has been left for a sufficient amount of time the bottom hem can be fitted then cut and hemmed.

The other day I was asked to go and see a customer to discuss fabric colours for a jacket she was having made to her specifications. Its interesting to talk to clients and get an understanding for who buys Gomez Gracia' clothing. Understanding a customer and what they want from a garment is very important when designing myself. Being able to talk to a customer before hand allows for a more satisfactory product.

Post 1.

Gomez- Gracia studio is situated between Ladbroke Grove underground station and Notting Hill, placing it near to Portobello road. All though it is a small studio it still functions and operates as a larger company, producing an spring/ summer collection, a autumn/ winter collection and pre-collections for in-between seasons.

Patricia Gomez- Gracia is the owner, designer and founder of the company. She, along with a small group of employees makes up the studio work force and together they create the label Gomez- Gracia.

At the moment toile’s and sample garments for the pre-collection are being made up and altered, ready to be graded then are sent for manufacture. Most of the manufacturing is kept inside of the UK, using manufacturers in London, with a small percentage being sent to India.  This means that at the moment there is pattern cutting, sample garments being made up and design work going on in the studio. While I’ve been working here there has been two model fittings for some of the garments in the collection, which have been toiled. Watching a model fitting with two different models has been interesting, as one model was being used for production sizing and the other for a sizing for a typical 5’ 10” model, to showcase the garments.

The day starts at 9.30 in the studio and regularly goes on till 8 in the evening. A small team requires more hours to be put in, to create perfect garments. These hours are predictable for a collection such as this and are necessary for a satisfactory outcome. Which Gomez- Gracia achieves regularly.




These are some examples of Gomez Gracia Garments which have been hits with celebrities along with the rest of us.





Carrie Underwood in Gomez Gracia at the Grammys 2012

Kardashian's in Gomez Gracia.



Katherine Jenkin in Starlet gown by Gomez Gracia

Wallstreet Dress by Gomez Gracia

Pictures of Gomez Gracia Dresses ;

 

Behind the scenes

A couple of behind the scenes clips of Patricia Gomez- Gracia's company.