LONDON FASHION WEEK - ARE YOU AND YOUR COLLECTION READY?

Well it's now three weeks today  until London Fashion Week opens, and for all designers involved, whether they are have a stand at one of the exhibitions or are showing on the catwalk, the workload is building and stress levels are rising.

It always fascinates me that brands commit to showing a few months in advance and therefore, in theory, there is more than enough time to design and make up your collection.
Except that there are, of course,  so many variables including, your sample materials or trimmings don't arrive on time, the factory can't get the make right, let alone when only a week before the season starts you decide you don't like what you've designed at all and want to start again!!

Although to some extent designers do thrive on the adrenalin of working close to the wire, invariably it ends up a last minute panic and by the time you get to opening day you are so tired you can't think.

Here are a  few tips to help you survive the next few weeks:-

• Every morning block out half an hour  of  'you time' so you can sit quietly and review  what stage you are at and what you need to achieve for the day. Do this before you get involved with emails, calls, machinists ect
• Update your To Do list from the previous day and create your new list for the day.
• Prioritise your actions so you quickly can see the tasks that need your immediate attention and those not so urgent.
• If you haven't done so already - set up a sampling schedule spreadsheet  - this should list all the samples you are making as part of your new collection, who is making them, the materials being used , columns for waiting to get made, in work and samples completed. You should then be able to see at a glance at what stage your collection is at  and monitor progress. 
• Once you are clear of your plan of action for the day - communicate with your staff or anyone working with you - make sure there are no issues you should be aware of. 
• Check your sampling schedule and make sure everything is fine with  your sample machinists.
• If there are any problems - tackle them straight away otherwise they will loom over you and hamper your productivity.
• Drink plenty of water.
• Try and get some good nights sleep.

You'll be amazed how much better you will feel by being organised, allowing your creative juices to flow and to enjoy the moment when you finally get to show the world your new collection. Before it all starts again....

If you have any other tips/comments please do post them.

Good Luck!!
Author, Alison Lewy founder of Fashion Angel
Follow @FashionAngel1