Designer Diary: Melt London – It’s a mad, mad world
08-11-2007
We now have the season’s story and title, the inspirations are clear in every detail, and even the fabrics are final choices, what we always lack is the luxury of time.
Hence the frenzy.
On the wall is a weekly schedule showing pattern cutting and first sample deadlines. Whilst in my head is a ticking clock, tick tock, tick tock,tick tock…………………..
I constantly scan a mental list, first fit session – goes well, cross through, final sample cloth – arrived, machinist ill, takes days off – s**t, tee shirt designs in hand with brilliant young designer –fantastic, must choose buttons – deadline looming, first samples – look great! Tick tock, tick tock.
Agree to divorce our sales agency, we get custody of the collection, and now start seeing new agents.
Do we go with established people or eager new faces?
Who will do the better job?
And who are the very best agents, for our brand? Tick tock.
Must start seriously looking at P.R but can we afford it? Or more serious still, can we afford not to?
Spend five non-fashion minutes at the window, watching Berners Street, where a group of students have stopped to hold up a hand-made banner saying, “stop toxic dumping” idly wonder who it’s aimed at? Then enjoy the body language of discomfort, exhibited by the suits at the Sanderson Hotel, as they ask the ramshackle group to move away from the hotel entrance. Tick-tock.
Another week is gone, memo to self……………no time for further distractions, or lunch! Urgently need a silent clock and sleeping tablets!
