Help...Need to get started...What is the best route?

my_gorgeous_ellie-belle

Hi all,

Really after some advice here. Basically i am really wanting to get into the 'wonderful' world of fashion design but don't know where to start. I stupidly (for myself) took the advice of my family and went down the academic road when i left school instead of the route i loved and yep, hated it so much (even though i was really good at the maths and accounting) and quit college after AS level - didnt even bother to complete the A2.

Now after having a family and a home to run and having been in and out of many good jobs, i still have a desperate passion for fashion. Not just buying, lol, making and creating. I did complete a textiles gcse but i know that doesnt mean too much these days. I can use a sewing machine but i dont have any seamstress skills as all i do is tweak my own purchases and make them unique and fit better. I am pouring with designs and ideas and am constantly told i am very fashion forward (i can spot a trend usually almost a year before it is all over our magazine pages, which sometimes makes me look a bit odd or quirky in the way i dress, lol). My boyf is fed up with my want to do all this but not knowing how he keeps telling me to just bite the bullet - BUT HOW???? By the way i dont have any sort of portfolio set up, just scraps/sketches, etc and not much knowledge of the technical stuff. I cant find any starter courses and TBH i think i'm a little scared to go into a class where people know alot more than i do.

I know the academic year starts in Sept but that is ok as it means i have time to maybe sort a portfolio/brush up and learn some simple skills.:cool:

So can anyone help? And in the meantime any tips to learn a few skills?:D

And now i'm thinking i could have put this in the crafts section...hmm...please will a mod move if neccessary.:o

Ta very much in advance!:A

littlepinkstars44

i did i year of Fashion Tech in college, and although i love fashion the course wasn't for me.
Make sure you know what part of fashion you want to get into, marketing, buying, making or designing?

Also a good portfolio never goes a miss, when i went for my interview for fashion i had a portfolio for styles and pieces i loved and which inspired me, and a portfolio for needlework, stitches, beading etc, as well as a portfolio of photos and some samples of pieces i had made.
Do you have a sewing machine at home? if not, best to invest now and start makin your signature pieces! lol

Oldernotwiser

As a mature student with children, your entry route will, to some extent be dictated by where you live and where you are able to do your degree. Which universities are within your travel range?

You'll definitely need a portfolio at some point, so now would be the time to start putting one together.

my_gorgeous_ellie-belle

Thank you - Yep i am much more into the design side. I have a sewing machine but tend to only alter my own bits and pieces. Actually after a scout around i am now booked into an open day at London College of Fashion. I am going to be hard at work over the next few months trying to get some kind of portfolio together incase i want to apply just after the open day (in March 09) Sop yay, i think i may be heading in the right direction - My only problem is i need to get some better tailoring skills if poss which the internet is good fo but is just not the same as working with someone physically showing you the techniques. Brighton and London are within reach (both a train journey) but only London has the 'access' course which is what i think i need.

Thank you again for your help.

If anyone else is interested too and wants any advice too feel free to pm me.