Marios Schwab Fashion & Textile Apprentice Case Study

Lally Molina, Design Assistant

Astero Best, aged 19, Level 3 Fashion &Textile Apprentice

Tucked away off the bustling Dalston High Street, is the creative hub of London-based international fashion designer Marios Schwab and his dedicated team engaged in the latest artistic and inspired designs.

Lally Molina, Design Assistant with Marios Schwab, has an impressive background in the industry with a strong foundation both in luxury retail and production but although fashion and textiles was always her passion, her career started through other routes.  “My grandmother taught me how to knit and sew at an early age so I loved being around fabrics,” said Lally. “But when I left school I became a gym instructor and then worked for my father’s construction business.”  But fashion was always calling for Lally. “I worked in luxury retail for seven years with Nicole Farhi, Luella, Max Mara and Armani so I got to understand fashion but I wanted to see behind the process, sourcing fabrics, develop ideas and creating collections,” said Lally.

Following a foundation course in Art and Design at Southwark College and then a BA in Fashion Design Womenswear at Ravensbourne University, Lally freelanced before being employed by Emilia Wickstead to work across her ready- to-wear range as production assistant.  In September 2012, Lally began work with Marios Schwab and her role is extensive and varied. “I assist the creative designer with fittings and on the design process with research and sourcing fabrics and trimmings, basically anything to do with textile fabric and technique,” said Lally.

Astero Best is Marios Schwab’s first Level 3 Fashion and Textile Apprentice and her passion and determination to succeed in the industry is very evident.  Astero also grew up around fashion.  “My mum used to buy Gucci and Prada and sell them in Wood Green. I did Textiles at GCSE but initially didn’t really enjoy it until I was allowed to work on my own projects and initiative,” said Astero.

Lally and Astero

However, when she left school, Astero decided to study performing arts but quickly realised this wasn’t the path she wanted to follow.  “I disliked being back in a school type environment and wanted to get out into the real world so I worked at River Island in retail where I got an understanding  of the latest trends and what the fashion industry was doing,” said Astero.  “I decided I wanted to pursue a career in fashion but not from retail perspective.”

It was a meeting with Astero’s local Connexion’s office that alerted her to apprenticeships.  She was advised to begin with a business apprenticeship but being behind a computer and answering phones wasn’t what Astero wanted and through her own research she made contact with Jenni Sutton at Fashion Enter (www.fashion-enter.com) . “Jenni was great and really took the time to talk to me and help me and through them I started an apprenticeship at a showroom in Holborn,” said Astero.  But again, Astero was very clear on her ambition and whilst she enjoyed many aspects of the apprenticeship, it wasn’t relating back to her University work so after talking this through with Jenni,  Astero was put forward as a candidate for Marios Schwab’s first apprenticeship in September 2013.

“I had three interviews and I wasn’t sure I had got the job but I realise now that it was really important that they were selective and got the right person for the role,” said Astero.  Lally agrees. “We have interns but they are with us for about six weeks whereas we knew the apprentices would be with us for eighteen months so it was really important to find the right person.  We wanted someone who would be part of our team, taking on our work ethos. We are a small team so it was essential we had someone who could fit in with the team,” said Lally.

Lally was impressed that Astero had conducted research on Marios Schwab and asked intelligent questions and it was clear Astero had a goal and was ambitious.  Astero is enjoying her new role and is enthusiastic about the benefits of apprenticeships. “I am learning so much and it is great to see the start of the product and then the progression of the garment through to completion,” said Astero.  She would definetly recommend apprenticeships to others.  ”I don’t think apprenticeships are given enough credit.  If I’d done a University course, it would have been a long process and possibly I wouldn’t have found a job in the area I wanted to work in at the end of it.  This way I am learning and earning at the same time,” said Astero.

Lally found the process of recruiting an apprentice to be a positive experience and recommends it to other employers.  “We have had graduates but they don’t always have the business, hands-on experience and it’s essential that someone has basic skills, common sense and is able to communicate with the team,” said Lally.  “Apprenticeships are about industry and education working together and highly beneficial for industry and the young generation. It is exciting and rewarding to see someone learning and evolving.”

It’s evident that with Lally’s experience and desire to share her knowledge with Astero, that this is one apprentice who is going to make her own mark in the industry as a result of the opportunity with Marios Schwab.

January 2014

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