As part of the three year fashion design programme, s tudents are required to do a minimum of 80 hours work experience per annum and are assisted in finding placements within any chosen aspect of the industry. The Academy acknowledges that industry can and does play a key role in aiding education and it is constantly establishing and nurturing professional ties with the local and international fashion industry.

                 CRYSTAL BIRCH

                               LOS ANGELES
                               WORK EXPERIENCE





I had the privilege to get invited to do my 2nd year work experience in the BIG LAX, Los Angeles.

You might ask how does such an opportunity cross a young designers' career path? Well, being an aspiring designer and artist all my life… my energy and creativity was infectious to the people around me.

Alta Gibbon. Head designer of ABGB Designs. inc (Whom is originally a South African, moved to LA 26 years ago) came to SA when one of my best friends was terminally ill. My portfolio was there for her to enjoy in her bed and a month later I received a phone call…. It was Alta enlightening me that she took my portfolio with her and she would like to meet me and I am invited to work for her company.

Second Year Work Experience was the perfect time to attempt this exciting invitation and major challenge.

I worked from 9 June to 17 July in the great HP, gangster town as the gangsters call it, Huntington Park, in the factory Alta Gibbon and Armando Lira runs varies labels such as STORM TEE'S,UNIK,SCOUT and now AFRIKAN Q.T! Alta's label is sexy, sassy tops for mature ladies who still makes a statement at the ages from 25-50 years. LA is hip, young and vibey and the market has lots of room for that.

I was assistant designer and with working hours from 8am-5pm I really had enough time to get my hands on the design process.

Alta had enough confidence to let me design 2 ranges of my own after working on one of her ranges I proved to have what it takes.

As being an ex South African herself she agreed enthusiastically to do a proper South African range.

I created two ranges called AFRIKAN Q.T. If the Americans say “keep it on the Q.T. They mean it should not be discussed again. And Q.T. like being a cutie suited the range's image.

The first range is colourful and vibrant as our nation, with linen, Rayon Modul, different knits, ric rac and rib. The fashion buyers I worked with from five different showrooms in down town LA in the Californian Mart (fashion district) loved my ideas and the range! The Americans know little of South Africa and this gave them a good idea that we are fashionable and on top of things. Yes, there are white people there too!!

The second range is a knitwear range with silkscreen prints on in monochromatic colours. Its young and sexy and makes a statement with jeans, LA Casual.
My last week we introduced and convinced the buyers for linen bottoms to all the bodies, skirts, drawstring pants etc.

The range was completed 2 days before I left and A was disappointing for me to leave my work there and trust the rest of the team to take it further.

I had the privilege to be hands on with the job, designing, visiting dye houses, printing presses, getting embroideries ready, meeting the deadlines, making the patterns, ordering thousands of yards of fabric and had the honour for my ranges to feature in the Californian Apparel News. What an experience!!!

I am proud to report that the ordering of the ranges are going well and will feature in Bloomingdale’s, Robinson’s May, PJ’s or Neman & Marcus. I will still be notified by what big fish will bite. These ranges are due for Feb ’06.

The other ranges I contributed to are already stocked in these major big department stores from east coast to west coast.

Wow! I had a blast working with a Mexican team and other designers, but there are still amazing things to be learned…