Alumni Spotlight on Fashion Graduate Aurelie Payet

Aurelie is a recent graduate from the BA (Hons) in Fashion Design here at Griffith College. At the annual Creative Show, she was awarded an internship with Helen Cody so we caught up with her to find out more at her plans for the future and her experience so far.. 

My Current Situation

I have recently finished a summer internship with designer Helen Cody, working on a new collection and helping with photo shoots and other projects.

Currently, I am looking to expand my skills and to do more internships and building a fashion brand.

My inspiration for studying Fashion

I have always been attracted to Arts, Design and Fashion and I knew from a very young age that fashion design was one of the area that attracted me the most. I love creating and bringing ideas to life, and I think that fashion design is the one thing that help me the most to express my personality and my creativity.

I was also very curious about how people dress, and for what reasons. I find the history of fashion and consumer behaviour a very interesting topic.

My graduate collection

My graduate collection called Onde, which means wave, was inspired by Cymatics that are the patterns emerging from the vibration of sound on a surface.

It was a long process, from the development to the final outcome. I initially looked at cymatics patterns, then at multiple artworks from sculptures to drawings, to finally create my own gestural line drawings. I have incorporated bits of the different inspirations and created a collection that is very girly and dreamy which has a lot of textures and details, including hand-­‐pleated cotton, ‘smocked-­‐ origami’ linen and some hand embroideries.

My fashion internship

I was very lucky to be awarded an internship with Helen Cody during the Griffith College fashion design launch. Interning with the team was a very good experience for me. I learned how to put my fashion skills into practice. I have also assisted on the styling for the lookbook and the AW 18 collection’s photo shoot that was featured in the Irish Independent magazine. I also assisted on the display and merchandising at Helen Cody’s pop-­‐up shop at the Westbury Hotel in Dublin.

In the past I have done work experience with the visual display and merchandising team at BT2, worked in the studio with designer Jennifer Rothwell and assisted on styling projects with designer and stylist Alison Conneely.

Most useful experience

Every experience that I have had was very useful and rewarding. I have explored different part of the fashion industry and I think that it is so important to touch at every aspect of the industry, to help me figure out where I really see myself working in the future.

The Irish Fashion Industry in Dublin

The fashion scene in Dublin is becoming bigger and bigger, there are many opportunities, events and creative platform to showcase the work of young designers. I think that competitions are one of the best opportunities that the fashion scene in Dublin has to offer.

Why I chose Griffith College

I knew from the start that Griffith College was going to be my first choice to study fashion. It has all that I expected from a fashion design degree, it is extremely well connected to the industry experts and present a real advantage in terms of learning outcomes. Modules like studio, pattern and garment construction are essential to develop an idea and then be able to actually make that idea work.

Also the business modules give a really good insight of how the industry works and I realised that the course suited best my needs and made me feel ready for the real world.

Highlights of my time at Griffith College

The best moments were working on my final year collection and seeing how it would all come to life, from start to finish.

The launch was a pretty amazing time too, where we could see all coming together as a brand.

Other moments I really liked were to have regular talks from fashion industry experts. It was always very interesting and motivational.

Best bits of student life at Griffith

I really enjoyed my time at Griffith, the atmosphere was great and the people and tutors are so supportive. I also loved spending my time at Arthur’s Café where everyone is so friendly!

I liked that there was always an easy access to the facilities and equipment, that made my study and the time spent at Griffith a lot enjoyable.

Best thing about Dublin

Dublin is full of inspirational and ambitious people! I always feel that it is a place where all creative minds meet. I think that Dublin opens doors to people who are passionate and motivated. There is always something to go to. The nightlife is always very bubbly and the city has always something new and exciting to offer!

My plans for the future

Moving forward, I see myself getting more experience in different aspects of the fashion industry, working for a company that I like and that inspires me.

I would also like to understand better how the business side of fashion works, where the future of fashion is taking us and to eventually enrol on a MA program and start-­‐up a creative business.