So people have been asking me why I am running a course just for them to come and learn about how to choose colours and fabrics. In fact many have stated they know all about this already. Well the thing is I can tell you for free that the Course goes wayyyyyyyyyyyy beyond just learning how to choose and combine colours and fabrics.
For example...
How do you know how to tell real fabrics from the
fake?!
How do you know if a type of fabric will withstand
the test of time.
Why can some fabrics withstand hot temperatures and
others can't?!
Oh and about colours... I said a lot and more on my
Bella Naija post which I will just copy and paste here. It's a bit of a
long read (like what else is new right? lol) but at least it more than captures
all I have to say on some of the issues highlighted.
Before I sign off, just to let you know that
registration continues today and tomorrow. We need to prepare for you.
You can also pay transfer the fees online into the bank account or pay
for it on www.afritickets.com and www.qluqlu.com.
See you on Saturday!
Cheers!
__________
As a
designer, an important tool in creating a collection is the development of
storyboards and concept boards. If you research these tools properly, you will
realize that the subject of Colour is vital in developing a successful
collection as it is a very important element of design. And what are the
elements of design? They are the “ingredients” for creating a successful
collection.
Ever
wondered why certain colours are chosen for certain seasons? If colour was not
so important to designers, then we would not hear comments such as “oh that
colour is soooo last season”. However, after speaking with so many designers, I
realized many did not understand the impact of choosing a colourway that would
create a huge impact on the potential customer. Perhaps that is because many of
us are used to the ankara fabric with its fabulous colours and prints. But
guess what?! The colour combinations on the ankara fabric are not there by
accident or because people will think it looks nice. There is a reason it looks
nice and that is from years of studying colour theory and the relationship
between colours. For example, have you ever wondered why the Christmas colours,
red and green look so good together? As an upcoming designer, it is vital to
know this so you can use it to its fullest advantage. You need to understand
the impact of how the colours you use for your collection can make or break
your collection. How you can use colour to impact the ambience of your
collection and make people gravitate towards it and eventually sell out the
collection. This is an aspect of design I feel aspiring and even practising
fashion designers overlook in this environment. It is not so much about the
design but how the different elements of design come together for a pleasing effect.
Similarly,
I also discovered that many people do not understand the psychological effects
of colour on people and the subliminal messages it passes to the viewer. Which
is why I have stated this this course is not just for designers but also for
business professionals, interior decorators and anyone who deals with colour. I
run presentations for companies on Dressing for Success and job seekers and I
have had the privilege of running these trainings for Citibank, KPMG
Professional Services, Bank Phb and even the Graduating Students of the Obafemi
Awolowo University, Ile-Ife. During these trainings, I expose people to topics,
backed by detailed research on how the colour of the tie you wear can make or
break your deal. I have also had the benefit of being in paid employment and I
can tell you for free that I observed whilst I was working how these colours
impacted people. I knew which colours to wear if I wanted to pick up a cheque
from a client, I knew which colour to wear if I wanted to address issues with
regulatory officials, I knew which colours to wear if I wanted people to
sympathise with me and which colours to wear if I wanted people to fear me.
That is because I understood colour then and even more so after fashion school
and as a practising designer how colour affects moods, emotions and attitudes
of people and their perceptions towards others. And this is also a major
component of this Course.
With
respect to fabrics, need I say more… We designers, especially in this
environment have major horror stories to tell about fabrics shrinking, burning,
how to tell real silk from fake silk, which ones would fade, which temperature
to steam certain fabrics, etc. And truth is, most fabrics we buy in the market
do not come with care instructions so how do we know what we are buying? And
how do we prevent ourselves from being duped by fabric sellers. That is what I
also address in my courses.
Finally
with respect to my fees… well what can I say… I invest a lot in my students and
go all out to ensure they have a good experience during the course. Not just
the knowledge but the ambience and particularly the training materials I give
out. Those who came for FEC 1 will tell you I invited a guest facilitator who
offers his courses at N95,000 per head to this course for a mere token. So they
got more than enough value for the money they paid and from the feedback form,
it was stated how the knowledge gained from their course would directly impact
their businesses and that is what I am about.
I also had a support facilitator
at FEC 2 and each participant, some of who had no prior knowledge whatsoever of
fashion, or how to draw left knowing how exactly to go about creating their
collections and more importantly how to draw. I have already planned the course
this month and I must tell you that I spend weeks developing my courses and
trying to combine my knowledge gained in 3 years of a full time BA in Fashion
Design, years of accounting experience and utilizing my network of business
professionals in 5 hours. And that is because I believe that a lot of fashion
designers in this environment are facing a lot of challenges simply because
they are not aware of certain things and if only they did, they would do so
much more and make so much more money. I also faced those challenges but was
able to step back and review my work procedures because of my experience and I
also try to pass across these messages both in my in-house courses and my FECs.
All I can
say is to be the best at what you want to go into and make money from, you need
to understand the industry and more importantly, have a solid foundation in
running the business and the foundation is not just the business aspects but
you need to be a master of your art.
Fashion is an art and to excel at it, you need to invest in the knowledge, same
as with every discipline.
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