I have achieved an advanced Diploma in fashion design.
Receiving a Diploma in Fashion Design from the Elizabeth Galloway Institute of Fashion Design and the advanced Diploma from the Cape Town College of Fashion Design.
A year internship with Pick ‘n Pay Clothing as a womenswear garment quality controller and a 3-month stint as a trainee merchandiser at 9&1 designs, paved the way to the launch of Tanika.Designs and the Akinat store.
After which I decided to move abroad to Chengdu, China to learn mandarin while teaching part time. This sparked creative juices of mine, which allowed me the opportunity to photograph and blog about daily experiences in Chengdu, while living among the locals.
Work history
Entrepreneur
Chengdu, ChinaFreelance
https://howzitworldblog.com/blog/
Entrepreneur
- Stellenbosch, South AfricaFreelance
Official launch of Tanika.Designs (High quality, limited quantity, womenswear clothing).
I have always had a passion and drive to start my own line of clothing that is of high quality and limited quantity, offering clients with supremely made garments that are comfortable and long lasting.
Custom made designer wear from everyday attire to that outfit someone wanted but could never find, I would create for them to their measurements.
During the first few months before launching, I had employed one seamstress, where I trained her in garment construction techniques as well as how to operate the machinery. We used industrial cover seam, binder and straight stitch machinery as well as a domestic over locker.
To help with the construction of garments and preparation before our launch I also had the pleasure of welcoming interns from Elizabeth Galloway for 1-2 weeks. During this time, I was able to show them life of a small business start-up, from constructing garments to styling them on shoots. They were able to observe and learn from my business.
The opening of the Akinat store provided me with a base for which clients were able to have a safe and comfortable space to come to when booking consultations. We offered tea, coffee and cake for snacks while customers were able to try on garments and browse the store for clothing, décor, homeware and accessories.
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Skills
- Photography
- Creative Writing/blogging
- Adobe Photoshop
- Adobe Lightroom
- Adobe Illustrator
- Microsoft Word/excel/powerpoint/office
- Garment Construction
- Garment Design
- Entrepeneurship
- Garment Development
Education
Certificate
Chengdu, China
Learning Mandarin (speaking, readying and writing)
I will complete HSK levels for proficiency in Chinese.
140Hour Certificate
- Cape Town, South Africa
Training, teaching English as a foreign language
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