Lam of London

A Graphics Talent!

2011-12-12T08:11:00.000Z

I thought I would dedicate this post to Gina, who works with me as part of the Lam of London freelance collective. She has been working with me since the end of August this year but has been working in the graphics industry for over a decade. Having her on board is fantastic, it means I am able to offer clients (in particular new brand start ups) a logo and branding service which is closely linked to the footwear development process. Having this 'in-house' offering ensures a concise yet comprehensive brand profile can be built for these new brands.

Album cover designs

Her past clients have been broad from record labels to sports brands and fashion labels. Her designs are always true to the brands ethos but she always takes the brief to it's broadest point.

Cycling brands logo and branded apparel

The graphics arm of Lam of London works in the same way as the footwear division, a flexible service that the client can pick and choose from. Most clients do choose however to take the whole package ( market research/ creative direction through to logo/ brand concepts and then packaging development and design.) Having this close contact with Gina means that the logo and branding is integral to the clients footwear product ensuring a solid branded message without it detracting away from the shoe's design.

An example of a client brand book-
Creative Direction/ Market Research

She has already provided great work for several of my footwear clients and I feel lucky to have her as part of my collective.

x

Footwear Design and Consulting

2011-11-15T14:59:00.000Z

Hola, (right that's the shameful full extent of my Spanish)

It's been a while I know, things have been very busy. The Lee Cooper project was finalised and then it was full throttle into my other new start up brand clients. Then last week it was a trip to the lovely Alicante to visit the Spanish Agent that I work with...happy days.

The flight over with my usual citrus colour airline was great ( I know, I was shocked too!) it was all made good by Captain Phil , see link below, not mine I found it on You Tube it's from a previous person's experience (I wasn't awake enough to video it at 7 in the morning) he was cheerful, polite, humorous and made the 3.30 am start a bit easier to suffer.http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f19kP9LRnvY&feature=related

So after leaving a very grey and rainy Gatwick I ended up in a lovely warm and friendly Alicante.

The sun was great at recharging the flagging batteries and after a short car journey we were in the first factory. This trip was busy with one of my clients, two lovely ladies who have a great new start up brand. They have really spotted a gap in the market and it will be exciting when they launch the brand to the buyers in March next year. The factory had done a great job on the samples, their footwear heritage really shows in the shoes that they make. We chose some gorgeous leathers for the samples and I'm sure they will look fabulous.

Every time I show photos of the factories in UK and Europe to people they are always so amazed at how much of the footwear process is done by hand. The footwear factories commit a great deal of time and money to training their workers and being the best that they can be. I'm really lucky to have great contacts with factories who will consider working with new brands.

Working with new brands means that these factories will often work to a loss, a new brand sometimes struggles to fill the factory's track with their initial orders. However by spending time with the factories and building a relationship they will normally endeavour to meet all your requirements if you are doing all you can to work on the marketing/pr and sales channels. This is why I will always check that the brands I work with have the required finances and long term commitment.

Footwear can seem like an enigma to a lot of people, it's made up of so many different components that all need to be taken into consideration when both designing and developing. Starting a footwear brand may seem relatively easy from a styling point of view but it's a long term commitment in terms of a project. Most parts of the shoe will involve a design element which will involve additional costs which will involve minimums and then there's the branding, the packaging the shipping the distribution and then the marketing and pr.
Saying all of this though, if you've got a USP, spotted a gap in the market or just have the passion and financial backing go for it, it's one of the best businesses to be in...who doesn't like shoes?

Lisa
x

Diplomacy

2011-10-12T10:38:00.000+01:00

Life's funny.. sometimes you can be going about your daily business when something crops up completely out of the ordinary to suprise you.

Yesterday was one of those days, I had a meeting with one of my clients, a great lady who I am working with designing her new footwear range. Gina (my Lam of London logo and packaging guru) was with me and we had a great meeting brainstorming ideas and chatting about building this new and exciting brand. Before this meeting though I had the strangest call from a tv company asking me if I would be interested in doing a tv interview. If I had been busy working in my office then I most probably would have shyed away from the proposal but as I was already in Central London I thought 'why not!'

So an hour later and I am in a shoe shop with a tv camera in my face.. What do I say? Should I be opinionated and harsh? Should I be over complimentary? Instead I opted for diplomacy, I don't want to make any enemies but I didn't want to lie either.

It's difficult when faced with offering your opinion especially with the subject matter I was given. Made even more difficult when I work day in and day out with very talented people who have great new innovations for footwear or great brand concepts, working their socks off and sometimes putting their life savings into building their new footwear brands.

We have a real obsession with celebrity culture, it's good business and I too am guilty of avidly reading about the latest celebrity split or sensationalized story. I do think it's important to remember though (and be aware of exactly what/ who they are). Celebrities are made famous for either their singing, acting, socialising and therefore are not necessarily experts/talented in every genre they put their name to. Having worked for different companies over the years I've experienced first hand just what little input a celebrity puts into their named range and I just wanted people to understand this.
The idea of skill and training sometimes gets lost nowadays, it can all so often be about the quick buck wouldn't it be nice just for once to hear a celebrity say, ' I appreciate this is a skilled job so I let the experts do their thing and gave my styling direction' or ' I wanted to use this as a platform to promote British manufacturer and what we have to offer in terms of this so I made it in the UK'. ..maybe one day?

I'm sure the Cheryl Cole range will do well she's obviously got a good fashion eye and if it inspires one of her fans to pick up a pencil and get sketching and possibly train then it will not be in vain.

Just climbing off my soap box, vid attached......

And so it begins!....

2011-09-12T20:39:00.000+01:00

Well, that's the first day (half day) of school done. Little M was a star and went in with a lovely smile on her face- deep joy!

And so it begins.. Redundant Mum becomes full time working lady! The few hours this morning went quickly I'd not been in the house five minutes when the first call came with work. What's even more exciting are the new clients and projects coming into fruition in the next few months.

Currently I am mid way through a project for a UK denim brand. The brand has a great heritage and massive potential for a footwear range with distinctive style and unique detailing, I feel privileged to be designing it. The product won't reach the market until SS 13 but it will be worth the wait I promise.

The next brand Lam of London is working with is an exciting British mens footwear brand making it's production in the UK (yaaaay!) this new brand is (I can't say too much, nda has been signed) but definitely one you will remember for it's new take on quality luxury footwear. This one launches for AW/FW 12 so not too long to wait.
There's more as well, but I don't want to spoil my future posts by going into everything now!

What's even better about these new projects is that I am now working with a friend and fellow long time footwear designer/ product developer (L) and two heads are definitely better than one! It's great being able to bounce ideas off each other and share in the excitement of great new product and clients.

Well.. they say when it rains it pours and now another friend only this week has joined my little freelance collective, Lam of London is turning into a small flock! She really is a great friend (and ex bridesmaid at my wedding!) she's a very talented graphic designer which means that as well as offering footwear trend, concept, product development and footwear consultation we can now also offer branding solutions, logo concepts, design and all the necessary footwear graphics and packaging that goes with it too. G is excited to be part of the team and her love of footwear and fashion will be a great asset too! I'm sure she'll be brightening up the blog with some of her great graphics very soon!

Right, better go and do some work!

Speak soon
x

Growing pains!

2011-09-08T20:02:00.000+01:00

This post is a bit heart felt, it might not be the best time to write a post (more will become clear later)..

Growing pains is a great phrase at the moment..it relates to lots of things:

Firstly there's the business Lam of London, it's really taken off. The client list is growing and I'm lucky as I work with / for some lovely people. The timings weren't great though, as just as new clients and projects came into fruition so did the Summer Holidays. This Summer has been hard work it's official!

So the first thing I did was enlist the help of a very talented ex colleague and good friend (someone you'll hear more about in future posts), who is now working along side me and I'm sure will bring new skills to what Lam of London can offer, as apart from having over a decade of footwear design experience she is also not far from Northampton so can help with product development at the UK factories! So the pressure eased over the school holidays which I spent a large part of wishing I had more time to spend working and less time dedicated to childcare and play, but now the shoe is on the other foot (sorry couldn't resist a footwear related saying) as I find myself with less than a week to go till little Miss M starts school and now wishing I'd spent more time playing!

So next week school starts and Lam of London becomes my main focus again, I'm pleased it's so busy as I will have less time to miss the little one, she's growing up and Lam of London is growing in workforce and clients, exciting times all round.

So if you hear some distant wailing next Monday, don't panic it will just be me sobbing at the school gate as my baby becomes a big girl and skips into school (hopefully?)

x

PS. More exciting brands to talk about in the next post promise..

Crunch de Credit

2011-07-14T13:39:00.002+01:00

It's ok, business is booming it's not a disaster for me at least, thank goodness...

This post is just to say that times are tough in the world of retail, people are tightening their purse strings and cutting back on those little luxury items. Last week's food bill for my family was close to the equivalent of (see right) a lovely pair of Miu Miu clogs I have been err' ing over whether to buy. Lets just say the bill at Sainsburys ( other supermarkets are available) was a sobering experience.

So with this in mind, what's going to make us want to spend? Is it the amazing 'almost giving it away' sales that are still going on? Is it the mass produced cheap fashion product that is only a few £'s so we can justify it budget wise? I'd like to think the 'crunch de credit' is making companies get a bit more creative in terms of how they are selling and what they are selling?

I'm lucky to be working with some amazing clients at the minute who know that they need to be clever and creative to make a dent in the already flooded footwear market. One of my client's lookbook and initial trade press goes out next month and I feel so proud to have been involved in it. Not only is this new brand exciting and innovative it's also supporting animal/ eco friendly products and European footwear manufacturing. Watch this space as I will be posting the press coverage as it hits the magazines.

Speak soon

'You Squashed my Wife's Straw Hat!'

2011-06-14T14:30:00.001+01:00

Ok, so I admit the title of this blog is a little random..and I also apologise about my sporadic nature of posting, but work has been manic.

So let me clarify the title, I've just returned from a mini work trip, an overnighter in Portugal. We were being mindful of cash and trying to be clever with flight times so we opted for a budget airline this time (lets just say there's a lot of a citrus colour in their logo) all seemed good with the world. I only started to get a little concerned when I was asked to check my boarding pass apparently someone had got on the wrong plane a little while ago (first alarm bell). Then once on the plane the inflight entertainment started early, I'd like to imagine the lady in question had been paid to do a show but I fear she may have just been a bit unhinged...not content with already making herself aware to the ground staff she seemed to take a shine to the flight crew. She was under the impression that one of passengers had insulted her and proceeded to shout in a foreign language ( I couldn't make it out) at one of the crew. She had the packed plane's entire attention, after a very diplomatic cabin crew leader ( most probably incorrect avaiation terms- apologies) had tried to verbally calm her down it was suggested that if she didn't stop screaming at the top of her voice she would be removed from the plane. She stopped. Well apart from sporadic outbursts whilst in orbit. After this the flight was ok, aside from the lawnmower plane engine which took at least 10 years of my estimated life expectancy and the scummy cup of tea for £3.00 all was good. I put this flight down to experience, I am getting old I thought to myself, I just want a comfortable seat and a cup of tea 'Man up, McNair! ' I said to myself.

So once arrived in Porto life began to be civilized once more, we got a taxi down to the river and enjoyed a lovely dinner and drinks and forgot all about our flight. The next day was very productive thanks to A and R and their guys in the factories, things are looking good for the SS 2012 photo shoot next week. I couldn't resist taking some snaps whilst in the factories, sometimes people forget how much goes into a pair of shoes.

Anyway I flew home last night and it was the same scary experience, lawn mower engine, packed in like sardines, dodgy expensive food on the plane and a random scary passenger experience this time aimed at me- oh joy! A couple in their late sixties, let's just say I smelt them before I saw them (you can only take 1 bag on the flight and I think they may have drunk their duty free before boarding) were sat behind me. When the flight landed I got up to get my bag from the overhead locker I managed to retrieve it before the man (lets call him Mr Soak) attempted to chuck it on the floor. 'Disgusting, that's what it is bringing big bags on flights' ( I nearly corrected him and explained it was an Orla Kiely weekend bag- but thought it may be wasted) he then proceeded to say that I had squashed his wife's straw hat..I was confused she already had one on at a jaunty angle?! I nervously laughed as I was a bit in shock he was talking to me so aggressively, he then proceeded to inform me that it was my generation that was bringing the country to ruin ( at this point I have to admit I was slightly complimented as he obviously had mistaken me for a 'student' not a married working mother of 1) I thought it best not reply but simply looked the other way and chuckled, luckily the lovely client I was travelling with found it equally amusing. We managed to get off the plane and lose them at passport patrol, thank goodness.

So lessson learnt this trip. The moral of this story as they like to say..'You get what you pay for.'

I apply this in other areas of my life and I know this for a fact in footwear as you'll see from the photots attached but now I think I will apply it to air travel- always!

xxx

Weddings and wobbles...

2011-05-01T20:02:00.002+01:00

So this week's post, had to really be about the Royal Wedding didn't it, there's not really any getting away from it. I for one was all for ignoring it, not giving into the hype and generally trying to be a bit too cool for school. So it took me a bit by surprise when the week before the wedding I found myself getting quite excited about the whole thing. I think it was watching the documentaries of the couple that made the wedding seem more tangible and real. Here they were a young couple and having been one half of a young couple and feeling the excitement/ nerves of a wedding I started to feel I could relate.

Well no one was more embarrassed than me at the fact that upon seeing William arrive at the church on Friday (on the TV) I started to weep like a wally..(firstly I would like to put this into context- the previous night I had spent the evening with a group of friends celebrating two of their birthdays in a 'posh' piano/karaoke bar and had consumed far too much alcohol) so the weeping was partly because of the self induced hangover but also because they both seemed so normal and human against what was an unreal ginormous congregation. Once the tears had subsided and the rather unattractive nose blowing, I began to regain my senses and focus on the proceedings.

But what happens now? Thank goodness for the extra Bank Holiday and the chance for a post wedding come down/ De briefing, none of the normal after wedding questions can be answered though sadly.

1- Did the Best Man manage to bag himself a bridesmaid?

2- Who was involved in the evening reception inter family fight?

3- Who was the elderly relative dancing provocatively with one of the ushers?

4- Who was involved in the brawl for the tossing of the bouquet?

Still I'm sure all will be revealed in due course.....

I'm still waiting for full details on the wedding shoes, we know they're a little like these below, available at Net a Porter.com, but honestly please tell me they were a bit more exciting. I like Kate's modest elegant fashion/style but please at least up the anti with the footwear.

I could bore you all with comedy tales from my wedding, but I'll just leave you with the beginning and end bits... I arrived before half the congregation (long story) and for some reason took it upon myself to do the splits and a b-boy back spin at the evening reception. I arrived at breakfast the next day walking a little shakily. ( I'll let you imagine the rest of it, needless to say I could have done with some of Kate's steely elegant woman persona)

Enjoy the Bank Hols,

Chat soon

Girrrrrl Power!

2011-04-12T12:08:00.000+01:00

It's OK it's not a cue for a song (although I could do a mean Spice Girl impression) this post is just about saying us girls are OK! I'm not a girly girl, in fact if truth be told until I had 'M' I preferred the company of guys, but since having my girl I've really appreciated all the fabulous Mums I've met along the way. What's impressed me even more is how many of them are honest and admit that motherhood just isn't enough, whether it's full time employed friends, freelancers, actress/singers or those with their own thriving business. When you become Mum you don't stop being who you are and I think/hope that my daughter will respect, appreciate me all the more for having my own identity.

Since returning to freelance this year (after a brief spell full time, not for me, I know that now!) I've been more sure about what I want out of it..I want to help new businesses start up and I want to promote and utilise European footwear production. In the past 4 months I've spoken and met a lot of women taking the plunge in the footwear industry. I've been really impressed by their dedication (lets be honest about it girls, shoes are our drug of choice so it's not entirely suprising) and the fact that they are thinking about a USP. Predominantly these new brands are keen to keep their carbon footprint to a minimum and produce footwear with factories that have a passion and heritage for them, hurray!

So ladies whether you are a mum or not, give yourself a pat on the back, put on your empowering song of choice ('Eye of the Tiger', anyone?) and feel a bit smug about how great we are!

Getting Away!

2011-03-28T10:04:00.004+01:00

Well, I'm getting all my paperwork and sketches together ready for a jaunt to Portugal tomorrow. I'm lucky to be going with one of my clients who is a joy to work with, I'm sure there will be lots of laughter and hard work obviously. I'm not really one of life's travellers, if truth be told I'm a bit boring really. Especially since giving birth to 'M' my idea of heaven is peace and quiet and a book/ magazine with a nice glass of something somewhere warm. I've never longed to explore the world, which is why I'm pleased that I do the job I do as it has forced me to explore other countries, customs and languages (the last one not always very successfully). There are three places though that I always enjoy a trip to, the first one Portugal and the second one Italy and the third Spain. The people in these countries are amazing to work with, their passion for footwear is infectious and the work you do whilst there is always the equivalent to a week from home. Everything is all under one roof (so to speak) you need a last, lets go to the lovely guy down the road who will turn one whilst you're there, making the smallest adjustments that make it special. You need materials/ components lets get the rep to meet us at the next factory..in short it's a dream (if you're a sad shoe geek like me). Sadly it's just a day trip tomorrow, but that's the joy of Europe you can do a day trip (all be it a slightly long day) and get so much done.

So it's early to bed for me tonight and a 3 am start tomorrow, but it's so worth it. Today London tomorrow Porto!

Beijos!

It's Cool to be Uncool

2011-02-18T18:24:00.000Z

I have come to the conclusion that's it's cooler to be uncool. In my line of business you meet the uber cool kids, the ones that know the names of every trainer (sorry, sneaker) that's ever lived, are on first name terms with the 'in' crowd and dress in a very considered way. I'm not knocking them, I'm just acknowledging their existence, for the purposes of this post..

I'm often classed as being 'a funny little thing', I don't mind it, I'm happy in my own little haphazard world. I've never had the 'urban amble' that laid back walk/look that the 'kids' have (too much dancing from an early age has mean't that I walk like I'm always on the verge of either breaking into a run or the splits (whichever is needed first).

My track record of coolness thus far reads..

Being born with an afro when I am in fact of white origin with a father of Irish descent. ( I once backcombed it for a 70's do and no-one would believe it was my real hair.
Managing to snare a cool boyfriend at college, only to run into a metal fence the night before meeting his Mum and so met her with the beginnings of 2 black eyes... Relationship R.I.P
In my first job as a footwear designer for a brand, (whilst in Germany post a massive meaty meal) I declared (in an awkward silence) that I couldn't remember the last time I'd had so much meat inside me...not a good moment.
At another important branded designer job, I had to hold a meeting with the Head of Men's Apparel, I offered her a biscuit.. 'Ginger nut' I enquired, only to look at her and feel suddenly aware of her gingerness....Ouch

This 'Prince Philip' gene (that my mother has passed down to me) rears it's head on regular occasions. I'm convinced if looked into it would be some strain of autism. Anyway..this whole cool thing has reared it's ugly head recently. I'm working with a great client who I managed to convince of my coolness (?) and on my first day in their design studio I was very aware to keep the 'Prince Philip' gene in check ( and was doing a good job) but like with all secrets that you try to hide it appeared when I least expected it...As I was furiously typing away on the mac, researching some branding ideas who would know that I was about to stumble upon a Porn star? Whilst randomly searching for chunky zips I innocently typed 'Big Zip' into the search field only to bring up a page predominantly showing the aforementioned Mr B. Zip in compromising positions. As I hammered (scrap that sounds rude) tapped at the keyboard, mouse to try to get the images off of the (super dooper oversized monitor) I managed to attract even more atention. Luckily the rest of the design office are too cool to comment upon it..as I blushed from the inside out.

So to summarise, I'm not entirely sure where this post was going, I just wanted to let my fellow 'Prince Philp' gene sufferers and uncool cru know that it is cool to be uncool. Embrace your inner oddballness and let your randomness shine through!

Anyway hopefully more less inane ramblings from me soon, am up to my eyes in deadlines at the moment, so brain is quite frazzled.

Much Love

Time management/ Just a minute!

2011-02-06T21:15:00.000Z

Sorry I haven’t posted for a week, things have been manic. Work is going well, in fact I am turning it down which is a fantastic position to be in. Just one problem time management, I can manage my workload no problem, I’ve been doing what I do for a long time so I can park up at my mac or sketch book and just crack on. The time management I struggle with is little ‘M’s’ she only seems able to concentrate on something for a maximum of about 10-15 minutes. I make these grand sweeping statements about creating glitter fairy paintings or making pink fairy cakes (note. ‘M’ is a girl and at the ripe ol’ age of 3 and ¾’s if it isn’t pink she isn’t interested). The thing I find, fellow parents/carers correct me if I’m wrong, is that precisely 11 minutes into the activity the intended participant has wandered off and I then find myself completing the aforementioned glitter fairy picture, or icing the pink fairy cakes. Ok, if truth be told (where the fairy cakes are concerned) I’m a Virgo and as such struggle with the haphazard devil may care attitude with which ‘M’ fills the cake cases, she hasn’t yet grasped the softly, softly approach to baking.

The day it seems is broken down into these 10-15 minute windows and currently each one seems to be interspersed with meltdowns (hers not mine, ok. sometimes mine) so with this in mind I’m finding myself operating under these strict allocated windows:

Reading a magazine = 10 minutes exactly it seems

Checking emails/computer time = 10 likewise/ unless on laptop which seems to give me 15 minutes as am able to pretend to be watching ‘Rastamouse’ (other cartoon mice are available)

Consuming chocolate= (this involves only non noisy confections which can be put into mouth whole without arousing suspicion.) 10 minutes- I do have to pretend that I am making lunch/ dinner at the same time.

‘M’ will soon be starting school, and I’m sure to really miss her, and her funny ways, she is hilarious. She has definitely taught me to be more patient and to be more creative, finding things to keep her amused.

Anyway best crack on, lots of work to be getting on with… just after I’ve scheduled in a quick 10-minute window of chocolate eating…

Take care

Xxx

In Sickness and in Health

2011-01-27T21:07:00.000Z

As I type I’m sipping a max strength anti flu drink, blackcurrant flavour, too many nights on limonchello at Garda (fellow shoe folks will know what I’m talking about) means I struggle with lemon based beverages. In my household sickness is only allowed for a designated 24 hour period, when you have a kid/ work for yourself it’s just not really allowed. Truth is I just have a really bad cold but for the purposes of sympathy I’m calling it a touch of man flu. My Mum was from the school of ‘if you aren’t dead or have a limb hanging off then you are not really justified to having sympathy bestowed on you’. She once zipped my back into my tutu when I was about 7 I explained it was hurting but she insisted I was fussing, every time I raised my arms I felt a sharp pain but in true ballerina style danced through the pain, it was only afterwards that she admitted what she’d accidently done (Gawd bless her!)... I have inherited her lack of bedside manner.

Anyway life goes on, I’m currently sporting a red moustache from too much nose blowing and watery eyes, I think I scared the poor check out assistant at Tesco’s (other supermarkets are available). Things aren’t helped by the fact that we have some work being done on the house and the bathroom is pretty much out of action...I dream about soaking in a hot bath or rejuvenating under a steaming shower. The little ‘un told me yesterday that my face looked messy I thought that was a very accurate description. Luckily thanks to the freelance projects I have at the moment I am able to work from home tucked up in my pj’s. Tomorrow I’m venturing out to purchase a much needed new i Mac, and hopefully some Spring Summer wardrobe finery to make me feel better. I’m feeling some colour flood combos, some 70’s floral finery and lil’ bit more leopard print. I love ‘what I call’ an occasional jacket and if only I could get a job designing Whistles footwear I might not always be so brassic from buying their blazers! Footwear wise it’s got to be wedges, great with tights (woolly or otherwise) some much needed height to elongate the frame (hiding the post Chrimbo paunch).

To all fellow snotties I wish you well and hope that you make a speedy recovery. Spring is a coming...- maybe?

It's a Laaaaaaandan thing (It's a London thing)

2011-01-22T08:18:00.000Z

Yesterday I went to visit a shoe factory in East London, my maiden UK factory visit. Just a short jaunt through the Blackwall Tunnel with Miss ‘M’ the little un in tow, armed with a backpack of play-doh, colouring pens, paper, comics, puppies and ponies in my pocket (other miniature animals are available) biscuits, juice cartons, spare pants and an oversized cuddly puppy (Miss ‘M’s backpack not mine I’d like to add) we were prepared for every eventuality. The factory wasn’t easy to find hidden within a sprawling Industrial Estate where you could buy anything from waving cats to welding equipment, my vision of a little cobblers shop with a back room quickly faded but once inside it was a little Aladdin’s cave. We were met at the door with a warm handshake, with the type of hands you only get if you’ve spent your life making shoes. The factory is a family run business and the brothers made ‘M’ feel as if she was one of the family. After settling in and learning about the brother’s history and their shoe factory I couldn’t wait to look round, these guys are passionate people who know about footwear not only do you get shoes made you learn along the way. They work with designers on their catwalk collections, high end retailers and new exciting brands, these guys produce high quality footwear which warrants the prices these shoes retail for. ‘M’ instantly made friends with ‘L’ who was hand lasting the shoes, sitting on a stool watching him whilst surrounded by half made shoes and the factory cat ‘Stitch’ (you know you’re going to love a shoe factory when they have a pet with an appropriately themed name.) I was able to do some developing and finalise some designs, in a lovely little room surrounded by lasts and leather- bliss, listening to the sound of banter and bustling sewing machines.

Anyway we were only meant to be at the factory for a couple of hours, but nearly 5 hours (and a tin of posh chocolate biscuits) later we were heading back home to ‘M’s question after question about the factory and whether as she’d been such a good girl could she have McDonald’s for her very late lunch. Well we had to have something to counterbalance all that GB pride and earth mother-ness. One happy meal and quarter pounder with cheese meal (yes I did go large) later we were both shattered but ‘M’ definitely had a full day’s education at the factory, she now knows all the many components, effort and hard work that goes into just one pair of shoes.

I wonder if they’ll let us go back and work again today?

Spk soon

Selling Myself or Hot Shoe Shuffle

2011-01-17T14:32:00.000Z

Before you think it’s all got too much and I’ve resorted to the oldest employment in history, this post is about those embarrassing interview questions we all hate. Last week was all systems go for me, lots of phone conversations, interviews and meetings after the Christmas break. I no longer have the security blanket of the full time job nor the ability to rely on my reputation as I am working with all new clients this time. Interviews are almost like embarrassing first dates, they don’t know you, and you don’t know them. My usual response to nerves is humour and luckily the new clients I meet are usually creative or entrepreneurial types who are up for banter. However my comedy juices always run dry at the following question...’how would your work colleagues describe you?’ At this moment all I can ever see is David Brent lolled back in his executive padded chair describing himself as a ‘chilled out, laid back entertainer’. Nowadays I’m a bit more honest when I get this question and say that I find it cringe...but still try to answer it.

Anyway Friday last week was a big day I had a few interviews and so spent Thursday checking that I had all of my folio up to scratch, had researched into the clients and tried to mentally prepare for an onslaught of meetings. I wasn’t quite so prepared for Thursday evening though which was more of a shock. It was the first night of adult tap classes for me and a friend (I shall call her ‘C’), I was more nervous about the lesson than the impending interviews the following day, having not tapped for about 20 years. Let’s just say I knew things were going badly when it appeared that there was only one other student, a guy, who appeared to be about nineteen and was obviously an extra from ‘Stomp’. The teacher then arrived who also seemed to have only just reached the legal age for drinking and began chatting with the guy about Pineapple Dance Studios ( to be honest at this point I was expecting Louie Spence to step ballchange into the studio and to find myself in some sort of reality game show with Ant n Dec). Were it not for ‘C’ I think I would have legged it but she cast me an ‘It’ll be alright’ look and I felt in safe hands. Alas I was only able to do the soft shoe shuffle as I was couldn’t find my tap shoes in the loft so danced the evening away in my Bertie brogues (which I may consider attaching taps to as they did cut rather a dash.) ‘C’ suffered most of the dancing teacher’s eager ears as she could hear every sound her feet were making and whether she was missing a beat. I on the other hand could use the smoke and mirrors of jazz hands and a smile that would penetrate polar ice caps. As we sweated and wheezed our way through, what was titled as ‘Grade 5 warm up’ on the cd player I began to doubt whether this really was the advertised beginners class that we were promised. But ‘C’ and I refused to be beat by children at least 10 years our junior and soldiered on, even in extreme conditions, when ‘C’s tap shoes split during some extreme ‘riff-in’. By the end of the class we were broken women but have already vowed to go again next week, maybe tapping produces the same hormones produced post child-birth??

For those concerned, it's not a cat on my head.
It's my hair, I have a double crown that's all...OK

Friday morning I could barely walk and managed to miss the train thanks to a serious case of jelly legs. All I could remember from the previous day was the dance teacher telling us that a 12 beat riff was just like walking, I was walking more like I had had an accident Friday morning. But when the cheesy questions came up about how I would describe myself and what hobbies I had, I felt I could put my hand on my heart and say that I was an entertainer of sorts and I had the tapping injuries to prove it.

Anyway must crack on, have exciting work on the go. Can’t wait to tell you more about it, but need to wait until it launches.

Keep Dancing

Tyred Out

2011-01-10T18:52:00.000Z

Right, well I knew this morning today was going to be tricky I felt it in my bones. Especially as I had slept on the edge of the bed thanks to ‘M’ refusing to sleep and me crumbling and letting her sleep with me. (Apparently her feet were not at the desired temperature, tonight she will be wearing socks- that’ll stump her! hopefully?) So I managed to get through the morning managing to minimise my clumsiness. There were close encounters with slippery glasses when washing up, my slipper nearly came off when I was trotting down the stairs and I nearly rammed the shopping trolley into the car (more on the car later). So after some ‘aggressive hoovering’ therapy I felt a bit better so much so that I almost made ‘M’ late for preschool. After cajoling her into school I made a hasty retreat home for a lunch date with a friend. As I hurriedly parked, mounting the curb (I know Mr ‘C’-‘I told you so') I felt the tyre do something strange and lo and behold I had ripped the bl**dy thing. This is when the catalogue of embarrassment began... firstly I had to ring the AA, they were exemplary in their customer service and lack of sniggering when I told them what had happened. The nice young man came and fitted the spare without the slightest hint of smuggery – bravo. My faith in customer service restored I then set off to the local tyre store (I shan’t mention their name it still sends a shudder down my spine). Buoyed with the confidence of the nice young man (oh what a nice man) I enquired about the tyre. Bad idea! The boy, oh yes I shall call him a boy, showed no discretion about my parking skills and then proceeded to try to charge me over the odds for the tyre, whilst simultaneously trying to sell me another tyre. Just when I thought he could utter no more clichés he said the immortal words ‘that other tyre’s a bit of a death trap, not that I want to scare you’. By this point ‘M’ is protesting that she needs a pee and that the tyre shop was boring. Just then Mr ‘C’ rings to check how I am progressing in the world of tyre procurement, after several expletives he asks me to pass the mobile to the young boy. Suddenly the tyre price has dropped £30 and we no longer require the 2^nd tyre. I couldn’t decide who I was more mad at Mr ‘C’ for making me feel like a pleb or the boy for taking advantage of a stressed mum- sometimes it still really is a man’s world...

Anyway we still haven’t replaced the tyre, I couldn’t bring myself to spend money there so tomorrow I am going out solo to buy a tyre and woe betide any boy that tries to get the better of this lady I am researching all things tyre related tonight and practising my macho stance and man swearing.

Think the NY resolution of meditating may have been replaced with medicinal drinking

Tecknologie

2011-01-06T22:00:00.000Z

Ok, so maybe I’m a bit behind the times, I have only just had the i phone versus htc debate, and thanks to my own personal Dobby* (sorry ‘S’) I have plumped for the htc- technology triumphed over design (so sad- sniff). I’m sure ‘M’ will be able to find ‘My little Pony’ before I can find ‘My home page’...It will be a revelation to be able to check my emails/ surf on the go, explore the apps. I’m not a technophobe (some of my best friends are geeks) it’s just that small electronic gadgets don’t seem to last long in our household. If truth be told we’re just a bit nostalgic in our house where technology is concerned. Mr C still has a huge collection of vinyl which is secreted in every unused hollow in our home. He refuses to get rid of them, I don’t blame him some of the album artworks are amazing. This year though it’s all going onto the laptop and I’m sure the beloved decks won’t see the light of day again.

On the freelance front I’m now day 3 into it all and I’m starting to decide what I want to do. I have some meetings lined up next week and I want to start to get together a network of freelance friends. Some of my old colleagues and good pals are also at the same point in their career, they love what they do, they love design, fashion and footwear. But at this ripe ol’ age design jobs for us are senior/ management or head of dept roles and at this level the ‘design: meetings’ starts to tip off balance and you find yourself losing sight of what you really love. This is where freelance is great, you get to design and you get to use your experience and contacts and create your own job spec to some degree, and you get that elusive work/ life balance..............in theory...

Anyway hope you’re all keeping to your NY resolutions, I’m still wading through the chocs and cheese n crackers

-Such fun x

* see Peep Show for those not familiar

New Year, New New New !

2011-01-03T17:52:00.000Z

And so the New Year’s resolutions begin, ‘I’m making a list, I’m checking it twice’-oops sorry we’ve done Christmas now haven’t we... It’s that time of the year when we all make those fantastic sweeping statements about ourselves ‘New Year, New Start, New Me’ ( well at least until January 20th when quite frankly it’s too exhausting keeping them all going!) So the list starts:

‘Getting Fit’- Firstly there are problems with this one. I hate gyms, I hate the changing rooms, hate the mirrors and the exercising feels very unnatural. So no gym for me, but I love dancing, so I have decided to join an adult tap class with some friends. I’m sure you can burn calories from ‘jazz hands’ and stamping a bit. There’s no uniform for the class, but I may just purchase a unitard- if it’s good enough for Madge then it’s alright by me.

‘Healthy inside Healthy outside’- Now I’m going to sound like a hippy, but I’m going to try to not get stressed. Well as least stressed as you can get working for yourself and having a toddler in the mix -school starts again this week so this should be achievable (?) When I was pregnant with ‘M’ I did a lot of yoga and meditation and it worked a treat, so I am going to attempt to do the same (yoga and meditation not the ‘with child’ part).

‘New Look, New Me’-(This is my personal favourite) It is about this time of year that my

skin is the colour of corned beef after too many brisk walks in brusque weather (and the copious amounts of alcoholic beverages consumed over the festive season). And a hair cut is the easiest way to perk myself up visually. This is not a decision to be made in haste, for those that know me my tresses take a lot to be tamed; (see right) I’m sensing a return of the fringe...

-I am fancying a new wardrobe too but the above two New Year’s resolutions need to take effect before I go spending money on new outfits.

‘New Challenge’- Well this will be the freelance, there’s big decisions to be made. Which projects to commit to? And how much to take on? I can’t wait..It all starts tomorrow and hopefully I’ll be able to get the balance right like before. Last time I was freelancing I was doing work with three main accounts, women’s, men’s and children’s footwear and the diversity was great.

So that’s it my resolutions laid bare, I do love a list be it NY resolutions or otherwise, right I’m off to laminate it and get my highlighters out (hop shuffle, tap step ball change).

Happy List Making!

xx

Goodbye dear friend two thousand and ten

2010-12-31T22:35:00.000Z

A heady New Year’s Eve awaits, do we plump for a friend’s DJ set in ‘Nathan Barley’ country or head to Brixton for another’s gig...well instead I’m sitting on the sofa drinking bubbly eating left over buffet and watching bugger all on TV.

This is the life of a 30’s something couple with no baby sitter (sob, sob). We’re trying to console ourselves with the fact that firstly the cabs will be either nonexistent or extortionate, the clubs will smell of B O and old booze. Mr C (husband) takes great joy in telling me that my dancing is now more ‘Rod Jane and Freddy’ than Rave though his South East London two step leaves a lot to be desired...Any hoo... We’re indoors being civilized, chatting and reflecting on 2010, so what was it like?

Well, it was made up of 12 months, it started with January and it will end in December, and it’s almost over. So what did I learn from 2010 as I sit here wearing my animal beanie, sheepskin aviator, mad men dress and platform 70’s heels, I learn that not every fashion trend should be worn at once. But more importantly I learnt a bit more about what I really want out of life...Generally happiness and not all the shiny stuff I thought I wanted. I learnt that things change and there’s nothing you can do about it it’s just the way it is and as long as I am healthy that’s what is important.

So what’s 2011 going to be all about? Apart from more 70’s clothing and platforms I think it’s going to be good. I’ve got no hard and fast evidence of this, it’s just a hunch. I’m not one for horoscopes as I tend to turn into a sniggering 8 year old as soon as I see comments like ‘Entering a phase of Uranus’, I’m a Virgo and as such my horoscopes are generally always a bit pants!

So what if you are venturing out to a club tonight. Firstly I wish you luck, it will be overpriced and sweaty and you will have a nightmare getting home, but if you are under 35 you won’t care about any of the above

- So have fun I’m jealous xxxx.

No Man’s Land....

2010-12-28T16:41:00.001Z

So we are now in ‘No Man’s Land’, neither the build up to Christmas nor the heady excitement of New Year’s resolutions.

Today’s post is a semi rant (let’s call it a ‘sant’), by now the shiny fantasticness of the festive holidays is wearing a little thin. The joy of breaking the seal on a fresh tin of Roses (again, other brands are available) and inhaling the fresh chocolate aroma has been replaced by a baron tin of empty wrappers and orange creams. The fridge is full of half eaten Christmas pudding and anonymous cheese. All my clothes feel a little bit too snug and the three ‘G’s of God, Giving and Glitter have been replaced with Gluttony, Guffs and Gossip (post Family get together analysis).

Today is a Tuesday, and as such a working day, but instead it is a Bank Holiday. Holiday at this time of the year = mad shopping experiences involving buying items you wouldn’t normally because they are cheap. My rant is ‘Why are we having these Bank Holidays’s now?’ surely it’s better to have these days spread out? Currently I have a stir crazy Mr C (husband) and a daughter experiencing ‘Post Christmas Come Down’ trauma.

The Science part... for those not in the know this is what a Bank Holiday is by definition...

‘A Bank Holiday comes from the time when banks were shut and so no trading could take place.’

There are currently a total of 8 permanent bank and public, these include Christmas Day and Good Friday, which in England, Wales and Northern Ireland are common law' holidays (they are not specified by law as bank holidays but have become customary holidays).

Most European countries (what with us ‘what I call’ a European country and all) have on average 11 public holidays and they are spread out across the year. So when the sun is beating down in summer/ beginning of autumn, we currently have no Bank Holidays- go figure?! So in my ideal world, being an armchair politician and all, I just feel that I would rather be lying on a lounger with a large glass of something cold, letting the sun warm my healthy frame than indoors trying to decide what’s better, eating the food I don’t really want rather than throw it out as it’s just wasteful.

Oh well, on with the pyjama bottoms and off to the fridge I go...just after another game of Twister first.

Right hand on Green!

Christmas aftermath..

2010-12-26T08:34:00.018Z

Ooh..Thank goodness for harem pants and their elasticated waist, that’s all I can say. We seem to have discovered a brilliant schedule for Christmas Day (thanks to my S-I L) we meet at a pub in Greenwich, on the Thames and enjoy a big, fat family Christmas dinner with all the trimmings. Then (in case you’re not on the verge of a hernia in your navel from over eating) they offer you a smorgasbord of cheese and biscuits. This all lasts for on average 3.2 hours (not that I am timing it) then we all return to our respective abodes, so that I can play (sorry 'M' can play) with all her gifts and toys, PERFECT.

This year was magical, I really think kids make Christmas. In the lull of children in my family (my brother and sisters are 14 years my senior, yes, I was that ‘mistake’!) When there were no overexcited little ‘uns Christmas was more a time of reflection and became a bit more sombre as a consequence. There are close loved ones who are sadly no longer with us and at these times a parent's absence is always more painful...ANYWAY, yesterday was magical, 'M' was thoroughly spoilt but “ooh’ed” and “aaah’ed” in all the right places that it was all worthwhile.

I must admit I was shocked at how few people were sporting new Christmas outfits, in previous years people are normally in their new frocks and shoes, but this year I spotted more dressing down- what a shame. Has no-one heard of ‘make do and mend’? Today I shall be sporting a discount Chloe dress (with support pants- I'm getting to that age) and sample sale heels (but don’t tell anyone) with a bit of old costume jewellery I’ve had for years if you can’t look fabulous at Christmas when can you? NO Pat Butcher earrings though please.

Well enjoy the rest of the festive period, more family gatherings today, and I'm not the designated driver- Yee Ha!

That's all folks!

PS. If you missed 'Swingin Christmas' on BBC2 on Christmas Day, be sure to check it out on BBC four on Friday 31st at 10.15pm. Anna Jane Casey was fabulous! x
http://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode/b00wyltw/Swingin_Christmas/

Starting Out...

2010-12-23T08:26:00.003Z

So with trepidation, I start this blog...I'm sure some will be complete ramblings but hopefully most will be concise, informative posts. Currently I'm working my notice from a full time Senior Design/ management position, using up the holiday which I accrued whilst there. Full time employment/ childcare is still the most difficult thing to manage that I have ever experienced. You can't beat the liberating feeling of eating a whole Twix (other chocolate bars are available) uninterrupted whilst immersing yourself in a project deadline. However the fun stops when you get home late from work and have to put your Mummy hat back on with an overtired overawed little one who is not so keen to go to bed. In my experience no one really wins in this situation and I am really, really lucky to be in a position where I can work from home doing a job I am really passionate about and get quality time with my daughter.

I am really looking forward to freelancing again; I had been freelancing with my own company Lam of London, for two and a half years before making the decision to dip my toe back into the world of full time. It was a purely selfish reason to return to work, I wanted to just be ‘me’ again, (and the tempting salary, complete with benefits, bonuses and sick pay) The buzz of a design office can be a great thing, but you can get that feeling in your own environment too by making sure you work as a freelance network (something which I will talk more about in other posts).

So this week, what am I coveting.....Tommy Hillfiger’s Duck Boots, just cos it’s snowing doesn’t mean you can’t still be glamourous!!- Such Fun! (sorry I have the Miranda bug)

Take care in the snow!