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How did you get that job?
When did you start your job?: What’s the best / worst aspects of the
I have always loved to sew and make things since I was a child, and as a teenager I was always designing and creating things for close family and friends. Whilst I was studying fashion at University I worked in a local fabric shop and chatting to customers would sometimes lead to one-off commissions for bespoke garments. These orders ranged from simple day dresses to graduation ball dresses, tailored jackets and, as one of my first bizarre orders, an elf outfit for a short film in the Edinburgh Festival – I never did get to see the film! After graduating I felt that there was a strong desire amongst women for clothing that was more individual, particularly for those special occasions in life. I spent much time daydreaming about running my own fashion studio and, a few years later in 2009, I decided to do just that. Since then I have been successfully running my business from my design studio within Arts Complex at St Margaret’s House on London Road in Edinburgh.
So what does your job actually involve? : My job mainly involves designing and creating bespoke garments for customers. Often they will have a vision for a garment or an outfit in their mind and can’t find what they are looking for anywhere. It may be their dream wedding dress, mother of the bride outfit or an evening gown. No matter what the occasion, my job is to bring their ideas to life and create a truly unique garment that is one of a kind and fits perfectly.
job?: The best part of my job has to be the satisfaction I get from seeing a very happy customer at their final
fitting as they step into their completed bespoke outfit. It really is so lovely to see the excited look on their face as
they see themselves in their design for the first time after weeks of eagerly anticipating this moment from the very
first design consultation. I have to say that the final fitting is perhaps also the saddest part of my job as I
have to part with the completed design.
Looking back, what advice would you give to a young Gemma at the start of her
career?: Never compromise your design work based on your current ability. If you don’t know how to do
something then find out how! Gain as much hands on,
practical experience as you can, as this is paramount in developing yourself as a designer. Never stop allowing
yourself to learn, always strive to do better and improve your work – continual self-development is
crucial.
And finally . . . what are you most looking forward to in 2012?: Launching my first range of
handmade bridal accessories. This collection will
include bridal boleros, lace bodices and hair decorations all designed and handmade from my
studio in Edinburgh.
15 Dec 2011–5 Jan 2012 THE LIST 125
Name: Gemma Sargent Job Title: Fashion Designer/Couturier
Company: Gemma Sargent, Fashion Designer and Couturier