Blonde Ambition at Hawes & Curtis
This time last year Leeds student Sophie Andrews decided to enter Hawes & Curtis’ ‘Design A Shirt’ competition, but little did she know just how much it would change her life. Not only did Sophie triumph over some truly impressive opposition to take the prestigious, winning title, but she went on to be offered a much coveted position as a designer with the highly creative brand.
‘While I was studying Fashion at Leeds College of Art, I was given the opportunity to take part in the competition for Hawes & Curtis”, enthuses Sophie. “The brief was to design a shirt that would sit with their existing collection. All the entries looked very strong so I was delighted to win!”
Sophie’s stunning Victorian inspired satin creation, with impressive button detail was then made in to 100 shirts and sold in store as part of Hawes & Curtis’ spring/summer collection. An incredible opportunity, that didn’t stop there.
“Part of the prize was a 2 week work placement at Hawes & Curtis’ Head Office”, Sophie explains. “I was given the chance to experience all parts of the business from Fit Sessions to Print Design, and from Fabric Ordering to liaising with the Turkey office.”
It wasn’t only Sophie’s winning design that caught the attention of the team at Hawes & Curtis, but as a direct result of her impressive approach to the work placement, Sophie was then offered a permanent place on the design team.
“It was a fantastic placement at Hawes & Curtis and I was ecstatic to then be offered a full time role, which in the current economic climate I feel very lucky to have obtained!” say Hawes & Curtis Designer Sophie. “The competition was a brilliant experience, and turned out to be the beginning of my career, which I will always be grateful for.”
Fashion’s fast track continues for Sophie who works on all Hawes & Curtis’ accounts, including not only shirt design for the brand but working with the companies other high profile businesses including Marks and Spencer and their Per Una line. As a designer Sophie continues to be involved in design and print designing, fabric selection, and sample production.
It’s that time again!
Continuing to support up and coming talent, Hawes & Curtis have just selected the finalists from this year’s design competition. The final 6 will be on display in The VQ’s Hawes & Curtis store window from Thursday 1st March and you can pop in and vote for your favourite design at…..
Hawes and Curtis
The Victoria Quarter
11 King Edward Street
Leeds
T: 0113 243 1344
W: www.hawesandcurtis.com
