Diary of a Fashion Expat

Part 3 - Graduation Year

By Laura Flanagan

In this multi-part series, British Designer turned Buyer, Laura Flanagan, documents her journey through the Fashion Industry and working as an expat around the world. Her story began with a chronicle of some of the challenges she faced finding the right fashion program and University, and navigating her final year while interning in Paris

In Part 3, Laura talks about one of the most difficult times for many budding fashion professionals - graduation year. Kickstarting your career after University isn’t always easy. For Laura it was no different. Her turbulent fashion journey continues full of ups and downs, twists and turns.

(Stay tuned for future installments about her career in London, making the move to Hong Kong, and her lifestyle as a Senior Buyer in Sydney Australia.)

Continued from Part 2…

In 2009, my year started off on a high. I was one of the lucky ones - I graduated with a job. I was ready to experience the world of full time work in the fashion industry. I accepted my first role as Graduate Designer for one of the industry’s most reputable lingerie manufacturers, which happened to be based back home in Manchester. They paid me a surprisingly fair salary as a graduate, which, combined with moving back home with my parents, would help me to slowly start clearing my daunting student overdraft.

The role gave me exposure to the whole design and production process. Naturally some tasks were simple and mundane, like pinning mood boards and photocopying. However I was more than grateful for the opportunity - knowing behind me was a queue of eager graduates ready to pounce on this position. It was the perfect first job, and a smooth introduction to the industry with minimal stress and a friendly team.

Everything seemed great - until about 6 months into the job when I took a week’s holiday for some winter sun. On my return to the UK, I was shocked to learn the company had gone into administration. And just like that, I lost my job, along with the rest of the employees.

I knew the company had been having some troubles. At that point which company hadn’t? This was early 2010 and the retail industry was still feeling the effects from the 2008 financial crash. But I still wasn’t prepared for it.

The idea of being thrown back into the pile of graduates chasing any possible job didn’t fill me with joy, but part of me was also excited to step outside my comfort zone again, not knowing what was next.

I knew some of my friends at home were working admin jobs to help fund a backpacking trip through Southeast Asia. Wondering if I should join them, the more I thought about it, the more it felt right. I took a waitressing job as soon as I could. I also took on some remote work for a small lingerie start up brand. I knew it was important to keep my resume up to date.

Soon enough I found myself on an epic journey traveling through Thailand, Malaysia and Singapore for a few months. 

“London shouldn't be lovable - the high rents, terrible commutes and waiting hours just to get a table at any decent restaurant. But it has an energy like no other city I have been to.”

Although some may argue I should have focussed on pursuing my next full time position in fashion, I never regretted my choice. Saving for the trip, and the experience traveling through Asia were some of the happiest times of my life.

When I returned home, I was ready to take the next steps in my career. It was time to make the big move to London.

I applied to numerous roles in the city. Worryingly, although London is significantly more expensive than Manchester, the average salaries were less than my first role back home. I wasn't sure how I would survive - but I just wanted to give London a shot. 

Eventually I ended up accepting a position at a small lingerie label. This wasn't a typical role. It was part of a government program that helped fund smaller businesses to hire graduates under temporary contracts. As you can imagine, the salary was extremely low. I couldn't afford rent, but as it was a temporary contract I figured I could crash with friends for a while and stay in temporary accommodation until I figured things out - though I wasn’t sure for how long. 

My friends in London were amazingly supportive and let me stay with them for a while. They knew how tough a move to The Big Smoke could be. 

Despite the unsettled living conditions my time in London was incredible. I loved experiencing different areas of the city and meeting so many new people. The buzz as I walked through the streets made me feel alive. London shouldn't be lovable - the high rents, terrible commutes and waiting hours just to get a table at any decent restaurant. But it has an energy like no other city I’ve been to.

My new company was small and growing - very different to my first role in Manchester. My title was Design and Production Assistant (although I didn't really enjoy any of the production related tasks). The office was in an old converted fire station in quirky Old Street - an area full of cool restaurants, bars, and music venues. But the office environment was intense, and I was actually relieved to be on a temporary contract. 

I started looking for a more permanent position in my spare time. I applied for so many roles but the market was tough. The numerous interviews only lead to dead ends. 

At the end of the temporary contract, the company offered me a full time role. Although I was desperate to stay in London, I knew I couldn’t live off the proposed salary and the company atmosphere wasn’t for me.

Once again, I found myself back at home in Manchester. In terms of creature comforts it was actually heaven to be back at my parents. I had my own room and my own space. It felt very luxurious after the last few months of zero privacy. 

Nonetheless, still longing to pursue my career in London, I started looking for more viable options with a better salary.

“My head may have been in Manchester, but my heart was in London. Any spare time I had was spent searching and applying for jobs in the ‘big smoke’.”

I’d always been told nothing is more important in this industry than making good contacts. After some time a girl I used to work with in my first role reached out to tell me the supplier she worked for was searching for a Junior Designer. With this opportunity I could live at home, build up my portfolio, save some cash and spend my spare time focusing on getting back to London. It wasn’t exactly what I wanted but I felt energized and grateful for the opportunity.

But one (recurring) problem, the salary was low - like really low. If I stuck to the contracted hours it would equate to just about minimum wage. I didn't have any other options, so I let my pride evaporate and I accepted the role. I even picked up some evening shifts back at the restaurant. It was all to help fund my goal of moving back to London.

I started the role as Junior Designer. The team was friendly and the design manager was truly lovely and caring. I learnt a lot, and expanded my knowledge in color and print for sleepwear, as well as designing for kids-wear too. Between the hours at the restaurant and my design role, I was working 65+ hours a week. I was exhausted, but I was on a mission. That gave me the energy boost I needed to do it all.

My head may have been in Manchester, but my heart was in London. Any spare time I had was spent searching and applying for jobs in ‘the big smoke’.

It was a turbulent year. Every time I came close to landing a role in London I felt ecstatic, envisaging my new life ahead of me. Then the inevitable rejection email would come, along with floods of tears. After nearly a year of job hunting I was exhausted. I was tired of working two jobs to chase after the life I wanted. Tired of the constant trips into London. I knew Fashion was hard, but did it have to be this hard? 

My friends in other industries seemingly cruised through their careers with pay increases and bonuses. They had job interviews that didn't require hours of portfolio preparation or the projects.

I gave my all and pushed myself to the limit but wasn’t getting much in return. It didn’t make any sense to me. Had I chosen the right industry, or was this a huge mistake?

“I felt the heaviness of the past year float away, like a weight off my shoulders.”

Coming up to Christmas I decided to give myself a break. There weren’t many job openings and interviews in December anyway, so I eased up on the hunt bit. But I still had some seeds planted from earlier applications. Near the end of November, I was pleasantly surprised when I was asked to go for a second interview with a well-known retailer in London. Working at a retailer was the dream for me. I’d only worked at garment manufacturers and suppliers up to this point. Having been on the receiving end, I knew first hand that being a designer at a retailer meant you were calling all of the shots to the suppliers, and they would bend over backwards for you.

The role was for a print and color assistant designer within a Womenswear department. It was a little out of my comfort zone, but with the print skills I had learnt designing sleepwear in my last job, I felt I knew just enough to take this on. 

I had a second interview, but still wasn't sure if I had a chance. One afternoon, I saw a London number calling. I frantically picked up my phone and ran into one of the empty meeting rooms to answer. It was the retailer. My heart started beating hard and fast. This was my last chance of the year, If I didn't get this role, then the whole year would have been for nothing. 

Standing in a dark meeting room amongst rails of fashion samples, the phone pressed against my ear, I could barely focus on what the lady was saying. It was good news.

I felt the heaviness of the past year float away, like a weight off my shoulders.

Find out what happened to Laura next in Part 4 of Diary of a Fashion Expat due out next month.

Incase you missed them, Part 1 and Part 2 are still available on the website.

Edited by Emma Golley