1995 - 2006
I moved to Southampton September 1995, and hated the first year. Southerners were so uptight and unfriendly, I was an outsider, and vowed that as soon as I finished my degree I would move back up north where I belonged. I remember one of my first days (again I was slightly older than most of the others) chatting to two girls in the canteen, and they laughed because I hadn't heard of the artist Whistler. I felt a bit put out by this and disliked the snobbery, I probably knew more about art and fashion than they did, I certainly had more practical experience, how dare they. In hindsight, as they became two of my best friends on the course, they will probably admit it was nerves and naivity that made them laugh.
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| This was released the week I started Un |
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| S.I Library, Art Dept to the left |
Simply Red - Fairground
I lived in crappy small studio flats, but that wasn't a problem as I managed to do great work for my degree, and going to University is a lesson in life as well as studying. I was lucky enough to be the last year of full student grants, it wouldn't have been possible from someone of my back ground to do it otherwise. So being more mature then at 23, I felt privileged and honoured the opportunity by working hard. A few years previously I was so passionate I thought it possible I could work with Vivienne Westwood, maybe go work in Italy, and this was my big chance to get there. As I was older, I bought experience to the group and felt my natural leadership qualities were required. I would be the first in most mornings (also you could get the best pattern cutting table and some space), and be one of the last to leave most nights too. Yes I did get a bit carried away if I happened to pop in to the student union bar, which fortunately, or unfortunately however you perceive it was situated in the same building as the Fashion Department. I would go there, and not come out, putting Hey Jude on the Juke Box when we peaked with the alcohol. I partied, but I worked more, and I worked damn hard.
Southampton Institute, which now has Uni status, and was ironically accredited by Nottingham Trent (agggh not them again) would never have been a first choice course for me. In those days they referred to it as a 'Commercial Course' which is good in some ways, but not for your arty farty types like me. I so wish I had been able to go to Winchester School of Art and studied Textile Art, but it wasn't obviously meant to be.
Years later I tried to get in there to do some sort of course, and I think I was declined fro that. Gosh, I didn't realise until looking back now how many knock backs I've had. Having money or coming from the right background gets you more points than talent.
By the way, I only started going in the Union bar in the second year properly. The first year was extremely tough financially. I would often have only £10 a week to buy food shopping (for two). Cheese was a luxury item, and I would make a decision between buying a bottle of Lambrini and cheese, and the Lambrini generally won, well I did go shopping on a Friday. Living on the poverty line allowed more time to dedicate to my studies however, and I wasn't unhappy.
My many years of sewing experience by now, gained me entry to a part time sewing job in a high class Southampton dress shop. I worked at 'Elaines' for a couple of years altering expensive Frank Usher suites and dresses, and I gained even more knowledge from an older seamstress, Mariane, that would become another person I valued in my career, and will always regard as a good friend.
During my Uni years I would go to Premier Vision in Paris (and spot Karl Largerfeld), visit String Fellows on various occassions (once I made eye contact with Mick Hucknall - which pleased me greatly) once I had a ridiculous conversation with Peter himself, thinking we were kindred spirits because we were both from South Yorkshire. Well I had been helping myself to copious amounts of his free Champagne at the time. He wasn't overly impressed by my conversation.
We would go to Graduate Fashion week, and dream of being head hunted by a fashion house agent. One time we spotted Jonathan Ross, and the same night we witnessed Alexander McQueen issue an award (he was clearly inebriated), we attended many big fashion events, and also orchestrate our own with me often modelling too.
It was fun, and serious hard work doing the Fashion Degree, and I finished with a naff 2:2 when I honestly thought I deserved a 2:1, not only because I was different, an expert sewer and pattern cutter compared to the others, and I worked bloody damn hard.
I decided to stay in Southampton, it now felt like home after three years, it was now The Blair Years, and as 20 somethings we all felt full of optimism, ladettes became the latest buzz word (my mum said I had been one for years before it became a label).
When I graduated in 1998 got a flat in Bedford Place, one of the coolest places to live in town, with the best bars and clubs only a few minutes walk away. I got a job in a tailors. It wasn't really my thing, I liked women's wear, club wear or evening wear but at least it was related to my training. It was another string to my bow, learning that top precision and quality were key, but it was a slippery slope with this employer. These days you would take him to court for sexual harassment and serious discrimination and manipulation, and I did consider it then, but to be honest, I wasn't scared of him, I was just glad to get out and start a new life again. Basically, he was a hard working Indian guy, with potentially fake qualifications, but give him his due, was damn good at his profession. However, as a young free and single female I was treated in an inappropriate manner, but I was street wise enough to know what was going on, and even humored him to some extent when I felt uncomfortable to show I was in charge, (and I needed the money). He banned me from talking to customers (which were mostly male - even a friend of mine). he would glare at me me and talk in Indian about my breasts when I wore a vest top in the summer, because I worked against a window and it was boiling hot. There was no physical abuse, but it was certainly insinuated with words. He would stare out of the window close by me, and talk about any young blond walking by, he referred to me as the family 'pet' and promised to take me on holiday, he would complain of aching shoulders and request massages. He also started to add an extra few pairs of trouser everyday to alter, within the same time scale, lunches were provided (yummy home made dahl and chapatis\) but they got shorter.
Then one day, the guy that worked in the back room, who wasn't allowed to speak because he was a lower cast, would try and speak to me when I went to the toilet when, Mr, V (The Owner) wasn't around and tell me he needed me to help him. Over a period of weeks I got enough information from him that he was treated even worse than me and getting paid even less, and he needed to me to help him get a better job. I agreed in secret to meet him at his home in Holy Rood Estate (a poor housing estate where Craig David grew up) in Southampton, to see if I can help him. I went round one Friday evening.
When I arrived, it turned out his wife was away in India or wherever, and he locked the door behind me, I was street wise and confident enough to question this in a discreet manner, and he said he was scared of his neighbours, which could have been true, but I wasn't trusting him too much. He offered me alcohol. which on this occasion I pretended to drink, I quickly advised him and left as soon as I could. I also left the Tailors shop soon after this, I couldn't take any more, it was wrong. The only other bonus about working here apart from his wifes lovely home made food, was that he arrived work late every day (so I didn't have to be on my toes) because he spent every night in the casino till four in the morning.
I signed on again in 1998, and after a few months of trying to keep up some sort of routine so I didn't lose direction, I got offered a job working at the Job Centre, well my Job Logs were second to none. I worked hard and excelled at this too. me and I had purpose in my life as well as a decent income. I have always had great rapport with people and being a great organiser, it suited me well. Within my temporary year contract I ended up being the best performer e.g I helped the most people get jobs.
Unfortunately that contract ended, and my boss and colleagues were gutted I was going, and so was I felt like I belonged there, and I was paying off my student loan.
I had sign on at the agencies, Office Angels, Robert Half, Select, and all that malarchy, my next temp job, which lasted two days, I was given this so called admin job which basically meant putting old files through shredders one day. Trying to make the most of it and keep sane, I challenged myself to get through twice as many inches of files as they had asked. I think I ended up costing them more, because I broke the ruddy shredder, well it was all in the name of maintaining my sanity.
Then I got a job which lasted about 6 months an admin at Yellow Pages which I hated because I was admin for a bunch of materialistic sales people, that I had way more talent than, albeit in a different area of life, they were such a bunch of high earning prima donnas. Fortunately there was another temp, that was quite bright, and behind their backs we would take the piss out them, and she would become a good friend of mine, that I ended up working in another business a couple of years later.
I hope I haven't bored you yet, but I haven't quite finished, so where are we 2000?
Oh golly, I just remember I did a stint at Double Glazing Sales, worked at Lloyds chemist in the Marlands, and then a funky clothes shop. by now I was spending more time in the pub. I, I had found a community, and my partner was earning properly so we could afford to go the pub most nights. But my life was unfulfilled. I always made friends wherever I worked and made an effort, but jeez, these places were going no where.
Then I got the opportunity to rent an office space underneath my flat, I had started advertise as doing alterations and making clothes, but I needed a proper space and to look professional. It was cheap as chips so i gave it a go.
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| Altar Creations Label |
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| East Meets West - Altar Creations Evening Wear |
To support my business, I got a job in Waitrose at the soon to open West Quay Shopping Centre I worked early mornings mostly, and would spend the afternoons doing my Altar Creations work. I chose the Deli counter as I thought it would be interesting and I would get to use my brain a bit. I got fantastic training opportunities at places like Billingsgate Fish Market, and I did Cheese specialist training. I did feel a bit of a loser in my uniform sometimes after all I had a degree and sacrificed a lot, I just had to tell myself it was a means to an end.
I needed a name, so then I could take, out a one line listing in the Yellow Pages (it was free) and Altar Creations was born, with help from my parents, I rang then up saying, I want a business beginning with the letter A so I'm at the top of the listings. I wanted to do wedding dresses and evening wear as its what I knew best, and I was mostly offering alterations for my bread and butter, so Altar (wedding) Alter (alterations) it was. I made leaflets and distributed them in the local area, remember, there was no internet then, or if there was, it wasn't available at home to people like me.
A funny story I recall is a business call I had one day from the guy who owned the Art Shop in town. I was commissioned to make a giant ribbon, I don't recall how many metres it was now, but it was ridiculous, and the guy was reluctant to tell me what it was for. This was no mean feat as it was so long, and the fabric was so slippery it kept twisting and turning, and for two days I was up until the wee hours in my workshop making it. And after just a couple of hours sleep I would have to be behind the Deli counter.
So imagine my surprise when it was the Grand Opening of West Quay and we all went outside to witness the Mayor, or whoever it was cutting the ribbon. It was only the bloody ribbon I had sweated over for the last two days. Hilarious. I left work at around lunch time, looking forward to getting home and catching up on my sleep. To my sheer dismay, I found that my bike had been nicked right outside the centre. I was so tired I had neglected to lock it up. I felt life was quite unfair that day as I trudged back home to bed.
Oh and I worked in Islington, London for a couple of days at week for a while, with one of my friends from Uni, and this crazy Sri- Lankan guy, that had spare cash, and crazy ideas, that he wanted us to implement. This was probably one of the most bizarre experiences, needless to say, the business went no where.
I did ok with Altar Creations actually. I made 3 wedding dresses and a few evening gowns, did a lot of alterations and some ridiculous items like 100 hand puppets, for a local pupeteer and that ribbon!
During this time I also studied for my City and Guilds teaching certificate.
It was a busy year juggling things but I managed it, then not long after 9/11, I remember the day so clearly as I was working in Waitrose that day, I decided I wanted a proper income so I could get on the housing ladder, I managed to get job back at The Job Centre.
When I was about 15 and unsure whether I wanted to be a social worker or do something creative like Fashion. I remember I had a conversation I had with a good friends much older sister who had trained as a Social worker, and she gave me advice that I would use myself throughout my life. She said, if you have a talent go with that, and that Social work was really tough. So I did. I think is why the Job Centre role suited me as I had a desire to help others. Whilst I was at the Job Centre an opportunity came up in an Unemployment training centre, and as I was already studying Teaching I applied for this job.. I worked with some amazing people in particular a woman who I remain great friends with to this day. I worked there for a good five years, and got various promotions, with my last job being Centre Manager, her old job as it happens. I continued my teaching qualifications, and did some part time fashion tutoring to City and Guilds level. I became a well respected and experience life skills tutor and gained a PGCE.
Then things went wrong with the company going into liquidation and my whole life was in complete turmoil really, I was plodding along, till I met Rich.
2006 - Now
I won't go into our romance, and all that lovely stuff, but his vision and ambition inspired me, and his desire to live on a boat. Within a year we bought our first boat, and we both took the lifes style likes ducks to water. Living on the canals and rivers has freed my mind, allowing me to focus on what really matters in life. Yes its been hard work, and yes it has cost us a reasonable amount of money, but moving onto the boat is the best things I could ever have done.
I continued working with the unemployed and giving careers advice (about ten years in total) until I had Mia, who is now 7. The long term plan was to give the Fashion another go whilst I was a stay at home parent. I had Mia when I was 38.
As I was doing my degree, I realised how fickle, fast and full of bull shit the fashion industry is, which is why I always had to do my own thing. I forgot to mention that I did my Dissertation (a big research study you do as part of your degree) about Sweat Shops and how disgraceful the industry is.
Living the lifestyle we do, avoids the mundane and trapped feeling of paying for a mortgage, being a slave to the government, and it allows my brain free range to be creative. And I thank him [Richard] for this. We are not materialistic, so money isn't our drive, yes, he goes out to work 9-5 to earn a crust, but he is currently doing what he enjoys and is good at, which is important. I got to bring a child into the world and nurture her full time for as long as I wanted.
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| Foxy Lady Creations Label |
But now it is my time, to re start myself, and I have slowly been rebuilding this and my confidence over the last couple of years. All I want is to progress as an artist, make beautiful products, with as little impact the environment as I can. I have had to get to grips with social media marketing. I avoided it for a long time, but have now fully embraced it.
So now I have told you a bit about my roots, and I have actually returned to them, upcycling old clothing, and using scraps, also I have just had a trial today with a local designer that needs some help with hand sewing on wedding dresses, and will be working with her in the near future, which I am thoroughly looking forward to. This time round, I'm the one in the sewing room, with the decades of experience, and the one who has to put her glasses on and thread a needle at arms length.
Oh and I did get to at least meet my idol Vivienne Westwood (and Bez from the Happy Mondays) at a Fracking event in London a couple of years ago. If you know me, you know this is a cause I have been fighting for quite a few years now, and will continue until we have won.
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| Dame Vivienne Westwood - Lets Talk Fracking Debate 2014 |
Thank you if you read this through to the end, as its a particularly long blog. I did this all from my memory which isn't the best, my main technique of recollection is through my excellent memory for music. I can remember names of bands and songs, and remember when they were in the charts, so apart from key dates like 9:11 thats how I recollect things. I'm a great person to partner with in a music quiz.
I would appreciate any comments you have to make
And Finally, I had to compile a list of all the different jobs I've had, whilst I still have the faculty to remember..
Important Qualifications I gained:
City & Guilds Fashion
BTEC Fashion and Design
BA (Hons) Fashion
PGCE (Degree Level Teaching certificate)
IAG (Degree Level qualification in Careers Advice)
List of my jobs (what I can remember)
Fashion Sewing / Teacher
Southampton City College - Basic Intro to sewing
Eastleigh College - ??
Barton Peverill - I delievered City & Guilds Fashion
Sewing Concerns x7 (at least) plus 3 of my own businesses
Including Wedding Dresses, Evening Wear, Active wear, Fancy Dress, Tailors, Club wear
Careers / Training Officer / Management
Bennington Training - Southampton
West Berkshire Council
Scout Enterprises - Reading
The Careers Service
Admin
Grimsby Tax Office
West Lindsey District Council
Electoral Collector Misterton and Southampton
Yellow Pages - Southampton
Barna Shields Recruitment Agency
Supply Desk - Teaching Agency
Job Centre - Southampton
Retail
Clothes Shops x3
Waitrose
Morrisons
LLoyds Chemist
Pubs/Clubs x 6 (at least)
Half Moon - Retford
White Hart - Retford
Dodgy pub in Worksop
Freemantle Pub - Southampton
Night club ?? Southampton
The Giddy Bridge - Southampton
Cleaning Jobs x 2
Tele Sales
Old Folks Home - Retford
Misterton Chippy
Paper Rounds x2
*The reason my list is so long, is 1) many businesses only do short term contracts (2) Most of these were part time, and sometimes I may have had 3 jobs on the go at a time. Just so you know, its not because I am unreliable or can't stick at things x I am certainly not lazy
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