Claire Hughes Interview
Claire Hughes is a young graduate of De Montfort University. She currently works for a UK lingerie conglomerate. TLP asked Claire about her career so far. Q: How did you get into the lingerie industry?
A: I went to De Montfort to study contour fashion as I had a interest in corsetry and the structure of a garment. I completed the course with a 2:2.
Q: When did you finish at DMU?
A: I finished De Monfort (Contour Programme) last year.
Q: How long did it take?
A: The course took three years to complete. It was the best time I have had so far — meeting new people and making really good friends.
Q: What did you like most about the programme?
A: The thing I most enjoyed about the course was learning corsetry, which was one of the reasons why I decided to study at De Montfort. I don’t really have a thing that I liked the least I just had a really good time at university and I like to think I made the most of it.
Q: Did you complete a final project?
A: I researched and investigated 1920’s control underwear. I produced six individual outfits, making it into something that could be worn by modern women. I wanted the collection to have the feel of the 1920′s. I also wanted to materialize the independence and freedom that women were gaining every day in social and political venues, but keeping the line sexy.
Q: Do you keep in touch with other DMU alum?
A: Yes, not as much as I would like but we all keep in touch on facebook.
Q: Where are you working now?
A: I am currently working for a lingerie company in the UK as a fabric technologist?
Q: What does a fabric technologist do?
A: I manage critical paths, which means I sit in conference calls with the factories and members of our team discussing what is out-standing, what needs to be brought forward, and what needs to be a priority. I also work with fabrics to ensure the colour is consistent with standards that have been approved for the entire production: lab dips, bulk, pre-production garments, and gold seals (the final product). I also communicate with customers when they require colour assistance with lab dips, bulks, and test reports . I also review and approve reports for fabrics that have been undergone customer scrutiny.
Photos courtesy of Katherine Jones
April 28, 2008 by Rene
Filed under Claire Hughes, Interviews, Katherine Jones, Lingerie designing
