So it's graduate fashion week, exciting times? Maybe, maybe not.
The week started with Liam's birthday, and I was so excited, more than I was for my own birthday. I managed to drag him outta bed first thing so he could open his presents. Then we headed off for an adventure.
Later that evening was the Rochester show, so it was a mad rush to get ready on time. I met Keighley and her entourage on the train where we had champagne and sandwich's. Keighley was so nervous as she was exhibiting her collection, but I knew in my heart she had no reason to be. The queue for the show was huge, and as we finally got in and took our seats the excitement and nerves rose. But as Keighley's collection came out as she held my hand tight, I felt so proud as her collection looked AMAZING! The models looked strong and powerful. They strutted down the catwalk in her metallic armoured clothes as her name shone above them. And not being biased but I feel Miss Hedgecock's collection Exoskeletal was the strongest women's wear collection from Rochester. Though all the students collections deserve a big round of applause and congratulations.
So the show went well.
The following day Keighley and myself were enrolled to work upon UCA Rochester stand. Not too sure what it entailed we headed to London and to Earls Court 2 planning how we shall get home as the tubes went on strike at 7.00 pm and we were enrolled to work till 7.30, so the C1 bus was the decided route back to Victoria. Once arriving at the stand, I looked upon the tables to see if my work was there. My Visual Marketing Report and my look book was there. I felt a tingle to see them in this environment. But I wondered where my portfolio was. Upon asking several of the UCA tutors and receiving the same responce "Its here I've seen it, if its not out look under the stands". And so I did with Keighley holding the door open I searched under the stands where they kept the students work/collections and everyones bags and coats, which squished the collections they were thrown on top of. But no sign of my portfolio. And so I asked again, where this time I discovered that my collection book as well as my portfolio was supposed to be here at Graduate Fashion Week, exhibited for students and the industry to see.
But just as my luck goes, my portfolio, which cost a dear amount of money, time and effect in order to show the world what I can do, and my collection book are now lost.
The university staff have no idea where both my portfolio and collection book are, and you have no idea how sick this made me feel when I found out. I almost cried. To be chosen to have my visual work exhibited at such an event is amazing as not everyone gets to show any of their work off, I felt so happy knowing my work could be seen by people and could lead to job or internship. I am by no means less angry now but a lot more calmer. At the time I just wanted to run over to my little books and save them from the ill fated hands of UCA. But I left them there thinking to oneself that at least they are here and can be seen, so it isn't all pooped.
It was such a disappointing day, and disappointing is the word to describe the UCA Rochester stand. Compared to Epsom and the other stands ours seemed unprofessional and slap dash. Work looked thrown upon the tables, whereas the other universities seemed to have a lot of effort go into it. A lot looked like posh artistic boutiques which was exciting to the eye. I didn't feel excited to look at our stand, or to stand at it and say I am UCA Rochester. I felt it was a waste of time and money, I just wanted to leave for home, and as I was chatting to a friend about how hungry we were and how expensive the canteen place looked, a young lady approached us asking if we wanted a free icecream. I think amy and myself must of snatched her arm off. I had berry smoothy flavor and it was so yummy. After my free yummyness I felt a weeny bit better. I found out that you could get your portfolio's reviewed for free, which made me feel angry as how could I with my lost portfolio. But then I thought to myself, hang on. What about my two little books. So I decided to take them to get reviewed and explain the situation and see what they thought of them.
I was so lucky as they were just finishing for the day but they were kind enough to fit me in. I saw a lady who is a head designer for a River Island team, she was very lovely and professional and really loved my little books. She recommended I contact Denza as they are most knowledgable about the area I wish to go in to. I felt uber chipper that someone liked my work and even to quote 'couldn't find anything to fault it'. My smile was back but returning to the Rochester stand soon faded it. So me and Keighley left before the tube strike happened so we could get safe back to Victoria, where we had a delightful meal and a few glasses of wine juice.
I really hope that my work has just been forgotten at uni and isn't completely lost. Fingers crossed ay?
Well at least things went well for Keighley. I'm so proud of her!
Heres her amazing work.
And theres me at the stand by my work.
Here they are my two little books. They look so cute.
