MEETING WITH MERRYN LESLIE FROM 69B
MERRYN LESLIE
Once fashion editor and stylist, Merryn Leslie, the founder of 69b Boutique, has worked for numerous publications, including Vogue, Harper’s Bazaar, Exit and i-D. As Merryn climbed the career ladder she found herself increasingly disheartened by the industry, feeling that it lacked moral integrity and transparency. After a period of research, Merryn felt driven to work within the industry in a sustainable and conscious manner, and from here 69b was born.
Once fashion editor and stylist, Merryn Leslie, the founder of 69b Boutique, has worked for numerous publications, including Vogue, Harper’s Bazaar, Exit and i-D. As Merryn climbed the career ladder she found herself increasingly disheartened by the industry, feeling that it lacked moral integrity and transparency. After a period of research, Merryn felt driven to work within the industry in a sustainable and conscious manner, and from here 69b was born.
I had the pleasure of meeting Merryn from 69b and she invited me into her boutique.
She sat me down and looked at my collection, gave me advice on buyers/retailers perspective and information if I wanted to get into international market. This perspective and advice was priceless. She also gave a great e-connection to Rosie Batt from People Tree.
I hope to continue to stay in contact with Merrryn and keep her updated with AARLI's progress with our next collection.
MEETING WITH RUBY HOETTE
GOLDSMITH UNIVERSITY
Ruby works independently as a designer/curator/researcher exploring fashion in context through the intersection of theory and practice. Her projects reveal patterns of use and often investigate the construction of value and meaning in fashion. She works as a collector. These collections take the form of photographic series, publications, clothing and interactive projects. Her work proposes alternate modes of accessing and engaging with fashion. It frames the garment as a unique artefact carrying traces of social and cultural interactions and transactions.
Ruby sometimes collaborates with Elisa van Joolen as they have a common interest in projects that celebrate the playfulness of fashion and imagine ways for it to be pushed beyond accepted forms of production and presentation. Ruby is also a Lecturer in Design (Fashion and Textiles) and convenor of the MA Fashion at Goldsmiths, University of London, UK.
I was lucky enough on my final week in London to have a meeting at Goldsmith university with Ruby Hoette. After quick invitation into Design studio where I got experience her working with her students. We went to student cafe to have a coffee and chat about who we are and our fashion backgrounds. Then she wanted to listened to my story and future projects. Next minute our time is over as she has to go back to tutorial. There is never enough time in a day!
MEETING WITH MARK WRIGHT
My second meeting with business mentor - Mark Wright from People Create UK. We meet each other at the South Bank Centre again, where we had a access to members areas and had great space to connect and discuss with each other.
As Founder of People Create, Mark has a background in creativity and leadership development in the UK arts sector. Mark continues to be as passionate about his work and clients now as he was when he started and he continues to blend his creativity and realistic business experience with psychometric insight tools.
Mark is continuing to help me to confront and figure out exactly who I am, where I want to take this leadership development, what does it mean to me, where I want to take my business, what I don't want to be doing, what I shouldn't be doing, what not to be doing in this current fashion industry.
As Founder of People Create, Mark has a background in creativity and leadership development in the UK arts sector. Mark continues to be as passionate about his work and clients now as he was when he started and he continues to blend his creativity and realistic business experience with psychometric insight tools.
Mark is continuing to help me to confront and figure out exactly who I am, where I want to take this leadership development, what does it mean to me, where I want to take my business, what I don't want to be doing, what I shouldn't be doing, what not to be doing in this current fashion industry.
MEETING WITH AMY CONGDON
As a designer Amy is interested in exploring the crossovers between design and science, through a highly experimental and research driven practice. Using speculative design work she investigates the implications of engaging with new technologies, such as biotechnology. Employing her work as a vehicle to provoke debate, and discussion, into the potential ramifications of using living materials to create our future products.
Alongside her speculative work Amy continues to work within laboratories with existing life science technologies, such as tissue culture, to further her research and understanding of the current capabilities of these technologies. One of the most influential periods of time spent working within a lab was during a residency at SymbioticA "the world's first artistic laboratory dedicated to the research, learning, critique and hands-on engagement with the life sciences". [SYMBIOTICA is located in Perth, Western Australia.]
Amy has worked on projects for companies including Microsoft, Nissan, WGSN, Future Filter and Central Saint Martins, and has exhibited and spoken at numerous design events in the UK and abroad. Since early 2014 Amy has been Senior Design Researcher (freelance) at Biocouture, the world's first bio creative consultancy.
Alongside her speculative work Amy continues to work within laboratories with existing life science technologies, such as tissue culture, to further her research and understanding of the current capabilities of these technologies. One of the most influential periods of time spent working within a lab was during a residency at SymbioticA "the world's first artistic laboratory dedicated to the research, learning, critique and hands-on engagement with the life sciences". [SYMBIOTICA is located in Perth, Western Australia.]
Amy has worked on projects for companies including Microsoft, Nissan, WGSN, Future Filter and Central Saint Martins, and has exhibited and spoken at numerous design events in the UK and abroad. Since early 2014 Amy has been Senior Design Researcher (freelance) at Biocouture, the world's first bio creative consultancy.
My final meeting in London was with the amazing Amy Condon. We meet at UAL - Central Saint Martins and the meeting was incredible - she is one amazing woman!
The time goes so fast when your having fun! Enjoying a coffee and chat about who we are and our fashion backgrounds and next minute our time is over as she has to go to another meeting. There is never enough time in a day!
FINAL LEADERSHIP DEVELOPMENT WORKSHOP
The next day, we all headed to the end of the train tracks again back Nicola's house in High Barnett to visit Nicola + Mark for our final Leadership Development workshop with Mark Wright from People Create Ltd.
Here's a great behind the scenes shot below taken during our session with Mark.
Photograph includes Marcus Corona, Angela Flynn, Mark Wright ,Carly Sheppard and Emma Loban (L-R).
The time goes so fast when your having fun! Enjoying a coffee and chat about who we are and our fashion backgrounds and next minute our time is over as she has to go to another meeting. There is never enough time in a day!
FINAL LEADERSHIP DEVELOPMENT WORKSHOP
The next day, we all headed to the end of the train tracks again back Nicola's house in High Barnett to visit Nicola + Mark for our final Leadership Development workshop with Mark Wright from People Create Ltd.
Here's a great behind the scenes shot below taken during our session with Mark.
Photograph includes Marcus Corona, Angela Flynn, Mark Wright ,Carly Sheppard and Emma Loban (L-R).
Here's another great behind the scenes shot taken at final accelerate family lunch. Photograph: Carly Sheppard, Emma Logan, Mark Wright, Nicola Turner, Erica McCalman Angela Flynn and Marcus Corowa and Teagan Cowlishaw (L-R).
GOODBYE LONDON
Next day we are going back home to Australia! As I was broke and feeling exhausted, I decided to have an early night in my last night in London. I could relax all morning and pack my bags and go out for lunch prior to getting on a 13 hours flight to Singapore.
TRAVEL ITINERARY
15:30 Check out of Hotel17:30 - 19:00 Catch taxi to airport
19:00 - 19:30 Check in + bag drop at British Airways
19:30 - 20:30 Customs and Security checks
21:30 Go to gate
21:45 Scheduled to depart for Singapore
21:45 Departure for Singapore (8 hours)
17:45 Arrival in Singapore + Depart for Australia (13 hours)
18:00 - 5:50 Arrival in Sydney Australia (- 8 hours behind = lose 1 day) arrive 6:30am
SINAGPORE - STOP OFF
Arrived at Singapore Changi Airport around 6pm. We had time for a quick stretch of legs and toilet then back into customs and security checks within 30mins.
Here is a birds eye view flying over Singapore!
Here is a birds eye view flying over Singapore!
Stay tuned for more behind the scenes of 2015 British Council - ACCELERATE program for my final week in Sydney NSW!
Keep working hard, believing in yourself + never stop dreaming!
TJ xo
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