James Lee Thompson

BA (Hons) Fashion Design Technology: Menswear

Final collection in collaboration with Katie Bowkett. Fashion Textiles: Embroidery http://showtime.arts.ac.uk/katiebowkett SAGA FURS IMAGE 1 James Thompson and Katie Bowkett Photography, James Rees Creative Direction, Rob Phillips Hair, Melissa Wong Make-Up, Kirsty Gaston Supported by SAGA FURS Model, Maximillian Davis from LCF Street Casting. ID DIVERSITY NOW James Thompson & Katie Bowkett Photography, Linn Therese Gustavsen Model, Dan Smith. Internal show photographs taken by Olga Tytarenko J a m e s L e e T h o m p s o n j-thomp@live.co.uk A confident, fun and driven creative that thrives in fast paced working environments. A fearlessness in experimentation and the beauty of the unknown underpins strong commitment and passion for hard work. Having the ability to enjoy my work in a highly professional manner aids in always exceeding what is expected of me. A valuable asset to a team and company that achieves and drives forward in fashion innovation. S K I L L S • Great working knowledge of Illustrator, InDesign and Photoshop using all three regularly for university and professional work. • Proficient in industrial machine sewing and specialist fabric and tailoring techniques including fur and bespoke. Experienced in hand sewing textile techniques including beading and embellishment of samples. • Pattern drafting from scratch to manipulation, experimenting and pushing ideas, following through to realisation. • Poised in roles of personal assistance; Confident and highly professional in making and receiving calls, well organised and presented as well as practised in dealing with industry professionals face to face. E D U C A T I O N September 2011 – July 2014 London College of Fashion BA (Hons) Fashion Design Technology: Menswear September 2009 – June 2010 Chelsea College of Art and Design Foundation Diploma in Art and Design. Distinction September 2007 – June 2009 King Edward VI Upper School 4 A-Levels September 2004 – June 2007 King Edward VI Upper School 10 GCSEs W O R K E X P E R I E N C E January 2013-February 2013 Marc Jacobs International (LVMH Group, New York) Production Assistant (Fall/Winter 2013) • Assisted with the production of RTW clothing alongside the current catwalk collection, working closely with the production team, seamstresses and pattern cutters. • Ran errands across New York City with the responsibility of delivering expensive and lucrative garments to factories and agencies. • Worked alongside the design team with fabric matching and dying processes, under immense pressure in a large team to deliver high quality finishes. • Lived and absorbed a brand new city and lifestyle, developing my social awareness and confidence in meeting new and exciting people. May 2012- August 2012 Omar Kashoura (London) Studio Assistant (Spring/summer 2013) • Worked closely with the designer in pattern cutting, manipulation and cutting final fabrics. • Developed good machine skills through toiling and final garment construction. • Responsible for all incoming calls, arranging model castings, fittings and general personal assistant roles. • Liased with factories, warehouses and wholesale haberdasheries, given responsible freedom to choose relevant finishes and trimmings for the collection. • Gained a detailed insight into how an independent fashion business runs throughout a season. January 2012- March 2012 Shireeka Devlin (WGSN Lycra Future Designer Award Winner 2013) Embroidery Assistant (Grad collection) • Intensely hand beaded large areas of Womenswear garments as instructed, working strictly to time limits and maintaining couture level accuracy. • Assisted with final design decisions, problem solving colour and texture balance throughout the six-look collection. Imputing on beading size, colour and density as well as consideration of placement. • Organised time management plans and implemented schedules to aid administration and a motivation to complete the collection on time. A C H I E V E M E N T S . • Winner of SAGA furs sponsorship for graduate collection, given the opportunity to fly out to Danish headquarters to undertake an intensive weeklong course in fur techniques. Gained extensive knowledge of working with real fur as well as learning about the background ethics the industry leader undertakes. • Pre selected by Creative Director of London College of Fashion to take part in iD magazine industry brief ‘Diversity now: All walks of life beyond the catwalk’. Designed and made an outfit for a body builder: a sport and personality under represented in contemporary fashion discourse. • Collaborated with an embroidery student for my final graduate collection, creating an 18 piece strong range that incorporated fun and innovative bricollages of surfaces in the context of menswear garments. Took part in a photo-shoot with BFC and LCF with selected garments from collection, to be considered for the yearly London College of Fashion visual annual. E M P L O Y M E N T . April 2013 – Present &Other Stories (London) Sales Advisor • Part of a small team working in a new and exciting high street Womenswear brand, aiding the sales of quality and innovative fashion. • Undertake responsibilities in styling mannequins and visual merchandising, ensuring the shop is spotless and inviting to consumers. • Impeccable levels of customer service, regularly being rewarded on my caring and professional practice. October 2010- April 2013 H&M (Oxford Street & Islington stores, London) Sales Advisor • Working in a very busy and fast paced environment as part of a large team in the largest store in the UK. • Assisted with visual merchandising alongside admin based projects to motivate employees and encourage team work. R e f e r e n c e s : Available on request.