"Rejection is Redirection"

I attended a University Lecture in which, Farron Davis, a brand and design manager for Blakley Clothing did a Q&A and talked about the story of her career and the challenges in which she faced along the way.

She studied Graphic design at school but developed an interest in Fashion after helping the fashion design students set up their catwalk, she always felt gravitated towards the department, so she worked for various fashion brands.

At the beginning of her career, she wanted to work at Sweaty Betty, she highlights that soon after she was made redundant at her previous job but a positive story came out of it in which she got what she wanted, she walked into Sweaty Betty and asked for a job and got it. She talked about how that company was quite small but she liked the idea of a challenge in trying to make them bigger and even though her role within the space was graphic designer she was able to touch all surfaces. Farron was at Sweaty Betty for around 4 years until she felt like a change and she decided to work at Mulberry. She expressed that it was very different to her previous experiences in the industry in the sense that it was more alternative and edgy in efforts to bring over a new audience of the younger generation which further increased her skill set. However, she preferred Sweaty Betty as the more supportive team that just fit her style better, so, she left after 6 months and moved away from London and back to the countryside, a total reset. She shared a great piece of advice that i think is useful to all even those not working in the creative industries, rejection is redirection, everything will happen for a reason so getting rejected from jobs for example, is only because you are meant to be somewhere else. She then started looking for jobs again in which she found Blakely. She thought she could really elevate Blakley in the sense that when she started there felt like there was no brand identity, no personality attached to the brand which is a very important aspect when thinking about sales because when you don't know the identity of your brand how can you expect customers to buy your product, it won't stand out. She states that Blakely today is a lot different to how it was back then, they've really found themselves and their personal style. In terms of what Blakely is doing next, she expressed that they are currently working on launching a new website and shops in different areas, one already being in Stratford.

Before the Q&A she ends it off with a few words of advice, when you are looking for a job or currently have a job does it feel right? It's important to trust your gut instinct because if you feel like it's not the right place for you then when you decide to take a step back from it, it usually takes you down the right path so it's important not to take it personally if you don't get the job you applied for.

And now, a few answers to important questions we students asked.

What have you learned over the years?

What I really learned over the years was to ask

myself, is that something I really want to do?

Is that something I'd want to achieve that

they've achieved?

And actually, if the answer is no, then you go great,

goof for them.

And if it is something you want to achieve

then take inspiration from that and find out a bit

more on how we can achieve that role or that pathway.

Are there any other brands you'd like to work with?

Monica Vinader is a really inspiring brand in terms of,

their sustainability, what they are doing, their innovation,

everything!

Who has been a key inspiration to your journey?

I would sort of take notice of who worked at the

brands that I wanted to work for, and there was one lady.

She did these beautiful catalogues for sweaty Betty,

and I ended up working with her and she was one person

with her design style, everything, that sort of inspired me,

and I would do that quite often with other people.

What are your top tips about breaking into the industry?

Make a list of the things that you, the brand, the places or the people or organizations, companies,