Nicola Kinga

I started at House Of Fraser as an assistant to the intimates design team. Within my time there I have gained valuable experience and have been promoted to designer. Over the last year in the role I have been responsible for designing all the swimwear, lingerie and nightwear private label brands. I create and present the trends per season, looking at catwalks, high-end designers and blogs. I design the ranges for the brands whilst working with the buying team and suppliers to get the best product possible. - I present my trends, design boards and samples in various stage meetings to the head of design and buying director to achieve the best product for the customer. - I work with the garment technologist to fit and develop the products. When designing the ranges I have to produce products on a commercial level but still trend led. - I visit various suppliers with my buyers and garment technologist when developing the ranges. I also go on inspiration trips whilst working on new and developing products to keep up to date with the high street and to be aware of high-end design. - As part of designing the collections for lingerie, nightwear and swimwear I choose print artwork that sits into the brands and trend for the season. The artwork is sourced from various print companies, vintage archives, freelance print designers I commission specific pieces or I develop the artwork myself. - Within the process of working from the trends to the final product I have to react to sales, cost price and time limits per brand to ensure the product is delivered on time.

Working with the technical team on the fit of the lingerie garments, auditing, developing patterns and improving fit. - Going to fit meetings and developing patterns by hand and using the Gerber grading program. - Working as part of a team alongside the designers, machinists to create the product and meet product deadlines.

I was employed as a beauty therapist where I worked one on one with clients. The role required reliability and commitment, a professional manor and the ability to work well with people. Time management was a vital part of the job.

2 weeks work placement. This was my first experience working in the lingerie industry. It was a small company so I gained a good insight of all aspects of running a brand. I worked on constructing garments and making trims. I worked at a magazine launch party and worked on trend research for the next season's collection.

Subjects studied include: Garment design and construction; Advanced bra pattern cutting; Grading by hand and using Lectra computer program; External client briefs with Ballet, Triumph and Gilly Hicks; Working with CAD, Photoshop and Illustrator. Designing and producing a catwalk collection

Beauty Therapy - Pass