RACHAEL HEWSON

dob: 24/01/1987

mobile: 07525 619194

e-mail: rachael.hewson@yahoo.co.uk

6 Tudhoe Hall Farm CourtTudhoe Village, SpennymoorCo. Durham DL16 6LB

My interest and love for design ranges from knitwear and fashionto styling and merchandising. I am attracted to these disciplines because of theirneed for detail and precision, as well as the diversity that each subject can lead to.

Knitwear is such a broad subject. Womenswear, accessories and homewear are my keyinterests – within which I enjoy creating, designing and researching. The detail andaccuracy needed when creating a stitch, sample or garment and overseeing the wholedesign process from the initial sketches to sampling and through to final production arethe disciplines that I enjoy the most.

Additionally I am interested in the styling aspect of fashion. My current role as creativeand visual merchandiser at Topshop enables me to use influences from store trends aswell as catwalk and designer imagery. On an everyday basis I use these skills toconstantly style and update the mannequins, always keeping in mind Topshop’scustomer profile.

I consider myself to be a very hardworking, conscientious and dedicated person. Being able to work independently or as part of a team to achieve the final brief –having experienced working in both small intimate groups as well as large teams.

I am self-motivated, flexible, possess good organisational skills, a perfectionist and have a real enthusiasm to learn through new experiences.

Key skillsCompetent in operating 10-gauge and 12-gauge industrials as well as 5-gaugedomestic knitting machines, as well as ancillary machinery such as linkers andsewing machines.

Computer literate with knowledge of Adobe Illustrator, Adobe Photoshop andconfident generally with Apple computers.

Education / Qualifications

NORTHUMBRIA UNIVERSITY, NEWCASTLE UPON TYNE2006-2010BA (Hons) Fashion Design, specialism: KnitwearGraduated summer 2010 with 1st Class Honours

NEWCASTLE COLLEGENEWCASTLE UPON TYNE2005-2006National Diploma in Foundation StudiesArt and Design NCFE Certificate in Art & Design

FRAMWELLGATE SCHOOL DURHAM1998-2005

3 A-levels3 AS levels10 GSCEs

Referees

DOUGLAS MacLENNANDesign School Director of InternationalDevelopment and Recruitment,Northumbria University

LAUREN SETTERFIELDStore Manager, Topshop/TopmanDurham

CV

Present employment (from September 2012)

TOPSHOP/TOPMAN, DURHAM

Position: Creative, visual merchandiser and sales assistant.

My responsibilities as creative for both Topshop and Topman include-

- Styling and updating mannequins on a weekly basis

- Mannequin placement

- Launching window schemes

- Applying graphics throughout the store

- Ordering graphics needed for instore

- Creating interesting and appealing high levels

- Creating trend moodboards and updating instore trend notice boards

- Using daily and weekly reports to identify best sellers, lines which are performing,as well as those that are not.

- Mannequin money mapping. Tracking how mannequin styling is affecting sales usingweekly reports, low performing lines could then be styled on mannequins to generate sales and push product.

My responsibilities as visual merchandiser for Topshop include-

- Merchandising both trends and block departments

- Creating visually exciting trends with a strong use of colour, print and outfit building, making it simple and pleasant to shop.

- Using weekly reports to identify best sellers

As part of my role I have visited other stores for both training and new store openings,assisting in both creative and VM aspects.

Sales assistant duties include till service, fitting room, assisting with cashing up.

Industry Experience

TREND BIBLE June - July 2011

During summer 2011, I spent 5 weeks at Trend Bible, a home andinterior trend forecasting company based in Newcastle. Roles included cutting sample colours and fabric swatches andassisting in collating the trend book for both home and children.

FREELANCE October 2010

Produced several swatch designs for KNIT ONE (Brighton), whowere able to sell a design piece in America to BANANA REPUBLIC.

MADE IN BRIGHTON, BRISTOL July – December 2008

Placement period spent producing knit swatches for sale toleading companies. Other job roles included researching andmodifying trend boards, sourcing and research shopping trips,photographing swatches and responsibilities including dealingwith company money. Two of my swatches were successfully sold to clients in the USA during my time there.

NORTHUMBRIA UNIVERSITY 2007

Working as part of a team and also advising a sewing team inthe designing and creating of the costumes for the universityproduction, Three Penny Opera.

FASHION KICKS, NEWCASTLE UPON TYNE 2006

A charity fashion event in aid of Macmillan Cancer Support and theShay Given Foundation. I worked alongside Cruise personnel atthis prestigious event, helping behind the catwalk dressingmodels.

Interview

ABERCROMBIE & FITCH, OHIO February 2010After an initial interview at Northumbria University by a UK-basedAbercrombie & Fitch representative, I was offered a secondinterview, for an Assistant Designer post, based at Abercrombie& Fitch US headquarters in Ohio. Abercrombie & Fitch flew a small selection of students from Northumbria, including myself, for interviews to Ohio at the end of February 2010. I was notsuccessful in being offered a position. However, I did receive some very encouraging feedback during the 2-day interview.

Exhibitions / Awards / Catwalk

KNITWEAR DESIGN, CAROL BROWN 2013Contributor to Carol Browns latest book.

INDIGO PARIS AND FIRST VIEW LONDON EXHIBITIONSSeptember 2010

One of twenty-four Texprint designers from UK universities.Sold a garment and a swatch from my degree collection tointernational companies.

NORTHERN FUTURES 10 (FASHION) AWARDAugust 2010

Final exhibitor and overall Fashion category winner.

GRADUATE FASHION WEEK June 2010