Monday, 2 December 2013

NTU alumni of the month- useful contact?

Victoria Robinson


Personal note image
Nottingham Trent was a great place for my degree. I made some great friends and the course helped me to get where I am today.

Course: BA Hons Textile Design
Year: 2012
Job title: Textile Designer
Employer: Hillarys

Current role?
I designed and developed an exclusive collection called Country Retreat for Hillarys http://www.hillarys.co.uk. It is being sold for curtains, romans and cushions. Since working here I have seen all the processes that are involved from beginning , starting with the concept, then designs, colour development, yarn and base cloth development to pulling the collection together. Once all the fabrics were selected, we organised a photoshoot and briefed the photographer and stylist. Alongside this is developing all the fabrics into a sample book which the photography went into as well as being used online/PR/marketing which go out to the public/magazines etc.

Typical day?
Every day is different depending what part of the launch process we are in. There is a lot of planning involved for every task.

Career developments?
I have had an amazing opportunity to be recognised and to create a collection for a well know British company. I have learnt so much being able to see the process through a launch and then getting to see how it does afterwards. I have gained so much information and a strong commercial awareness of the industry.

Your NTU experience?
Nottingham Trent was a great place for my degree. I made some great friends and the course helped me to get where I am today.

How friendly and supportive an environment did you find Nottingham Trent?
It was a very friendly and supportive environment which helped me to build my skills and portfolio which led me to gain my position with Hillarys.

Career highlights?
It has to be being able to design a whole collection 'Country Retreat' collection and see my designs come to life as products that people can buy and use. Another highlight is all the PR from the collection - my highlight being in Elle Decoration November 2013 Issue.

Where have you taken your advice and inspiration from?
The English outdoors and the north Yorkshire landscapes. I like to take my own photography to gain colour and concept inspiration. 

Advice for others?
Draw and design things that you enjoy and try to identify your own handwriting in your design. Get as much work experience as possible- it's a great way of networking.

Future plans?
I'm excited to see how this collection does and I am currently still working at Hillarys. I would like to sell some of my own products one day.

Any other information? www.VictoriaRobinsonTextiles.co.uk
Victoria's work also appears in a blog Cagney and Lace:
http://www.cagneyandlace.com/2013/09/the-country-retreat-collection-at.html

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