Ben Cooper

Gerber Tutor

Ben has a grounding of over 25 years experience in fashion and is currently a Senior Pattern Cutter at Karen Millen and CAD manager for their Atelier.

Following in the footsteps of his mother, who provided a made-to-measure dressmaking service, Ben started making hats and shirts at the age of 15. He subsequently went on to study fashion at college, followed by a further course at Berkshire College Art and Design.

After finishing his studies, eager to gain some experience, he took his portfolio and walked the streets of the West End until he was offered his first design job. Gaining some more experience over the next few years he then realised that if he was to produce a quality garment that fitted well, he would need to refine his pattern cutting skills. He subsequently secured a role as Junior Pattern Cutter at French Connection and it was there that he was first introduced to computer aided design (CAD).

During the following years Ben worked as a toilist and pattern cutter for a number of reputable high street brands including Aquascutum, Alexon International, Temperley, River Island and Marks & Spencer. He worked predominantly on ladies tailoring and outerwear but also covered menswear and children’s wear too. He was not only mastering pattern cutting but also the use of the CAD.

When Gerber updated from their DOS based Classic system to Microsoft Windows he decided to teach himself AccuMark Version 7.

During the following years he has been confidently gathering a broad and in-depth knowledge of the software through day-to-day utilisation.

All of this experience and a love of technology has brought him to where he is now as one of Fashion Enter’s specialist Gerber teachers.

Visit ‘Masterclasses‘ to view the next installment from Ben.