She is from Gothenburg and has just landed a sought after job at
Lindex Purchase Department. Her name is Sarah
Torkelsson and she is 27 years old and works as a designer
at Lindex Accessory Department.
- The thought of working in design and fashion started
already at upper secondary school. After passing the GCE's I
took two preparing courses; sewing to get the basics in tailoring
and textile and form to get the basic knowledge which is a must if
you want to continue with higher studies. After them two
courses I applied to Borås Textilhögskola and took a master in
Fashion & Design, an education which is 5 years long. I knew
what I wanted and made a plan to get there. I have also worked at
Gina Tricot and had an internship at Weekday. I know I am lucky to
have a designer job. It's all about gathering that extra
experience, so you finally reach your goals.
As a designer you have to have a subtle intuition and be prepared
to trust your gut feeling. The quick way of thinking Sarah was
taught at the education in Borås. A school with a good reputation,
also in Europe.
The flair then. The feeling that makes you choose the right
accessory for the season. It is so important since it is the
accessories that complete the look. It is that scarf or those
earrings which is the icing on the cake.
-The accessories plays an important part in Lindex' new concept
Get the Look, which is all about that we offer the customer a whole
outfit. We are our customers' best styling friend if you may. This
is what most fun about my job is; to co ordinate the assortment,
build a totality and make sure our accessories works with our other
supply, Sarah says.
The spring and summer collections are being finalized at this
stage and the trend scouting for the autumn has started. As a
designer it is vital to boost the inspiration. Sarah gets inspired
in the crazy, fast and conscious Tokyo and of course London, the
constant vibrating fashion city.
- When I am not at work I keep updated by looking at people
in the city and read blogs. It is very interesting to see what
people choose to top their look with. The bus travels to work has
become so much more fun!
Next employee we meet is Linda Larsson, 26
years old from Vänersborg, now based in Gothenburg. Linda today
works as an Assistant Designer at Lindex Contemporary
Department.
Linda also started her design journey by studying preparing
textile courses, for Linda's part the road started at Stenebyskolan
in Dalsland. Then the compass turned to London and an internship at
Preen and in Sweden at Whyred and Stylein.
- I applied for the job at Lindex this summer and got a call
the day after saying that they wanted me to come for an interview.
I got the job and started this august. I chose Lindex because I was
interested how I could apply my educational knowledge to the
exciting commercial thinking which Lindex has.
Linda is part of a small design team at the Contemporary
department. It is a concept at Lindex which offers a more dressed
and smart fashion. Linda works with one designer, before it was
two, which means more responsibility. Something that is more
exciting and challenging according to Linda.
- It felt extra stimulating to work with the collections for
Contemporary where we have a customer who is looking for items with
a high trend factor but still have a base in classical,
well-dressed fashion and since I am right in the target group, this
was really something that attracted me.
The big fashion shows in New York, London, Milano and Paris are
over. Lindex translates the big catwalk trends to passable everyday
outfits and therefore you have to be on the target. Linda and the
team have just started with the sketches for the autumn
collections. The red sign "competitive intelligence in progress"
flashes with an intense light.
The mood boards for spring 2012 lays at the table in front of us
and Linda wants to show and tell me all about it. She has that glow
which only comes from someone who really loves want they are
doing.
- The most fun part about the designer job is that no day is
like the other and that I get to work with my biggest interest;
fashion. I never experience Sunday anxiety anymore - instead I wait
for Monday to come!
Were you inspired to do the same journey as Sarah and Linda have
made? They both mentioned the importance of laying a proper ground
to reach your goal. Make sure you study those courses who will take
you to your dream education. And not the least, make sure you have
fun on the way!