LA PERLA INTERNSHIP BY GIULIA PANDOLFINO
La Perla Internship
For those of you, who are studying Fashion is always important to gain experience, and make as much internship as you can. Today it’s difficult to enter the business world and is particularly hard to develop in the Fashion industry where every day the competition gets stronger and stronger.
For us Fashion designers, we have a long way to go and as my Friend, Heidi said one day you are in, and the next day you are out. I believe we have to transform ourselves in little sponges, to absorb as much information as we can, to build our career to be able one day to reach the top.
We talk with Giulia Pandolfino, she recently made an internship by La Perla, and she is going to tell us her story.
La Perla is a luxury Italian women’s clothing company specializing in underwear. La Perla was founded in 1954 in Bologna, Italy by corset-maker Ada Masotti. The company began manufacturing swimwear in 1971 and in 1993, it expanded into perfume.
As well as being stocked in department stores internationally, La Perla has over 150 boutiques globally including London Sloane Street, New York Madison and Milan Via Montenapoleone. La Perla launched its new boutique concept in London and Milan in February 2014, followed by the opening of boutiques in Macau and Hong Kong in April 2014.
When did you know you wanted to be a fashion designer?
I always had an interest in art from a very young age, but coming from Malta, (where there is nothing related to fashion) it was very unrealistic for me to dream of being a designer. At the age of 13, I looked into the idea of moving to London to be able to take my love for art and fashion further, which thankfully I managed to achieve.
What’s it like being in the Fashion industry?
The fashion industry is fast-paced and more competitive than I ever imagined, but also really exciting to be a part of and be doing something you love every day.
What was your first job in the fashion industry?
My first experience was as an intern with a new-coming designer, where her garments were entirely made of plastics, leathers and metallic foils, all pieced together with metal rings and studs. I was able to help in making some of these pieces, which were a nice hands-on learning experience.
Talk about the changes in your life since you’ve taken as a Design Assistant at La Perla.
Since working with La Perla for my placement year as part of my university course, I advanced greatly in my professionalism, creative and technical abilities, which I am sure, will help me immensely for my graduate collection when returning to the final year.
Describe what do you do in your work?
I begin my gathering inspirational imagery that appeals to me, whilst also combining it with the need for something new or innovative that might be needed in the market. My designs start as rough drawings, which continue to be altered, shortlisted and finalized. I work well in 3D, so I take a lot of time in sampling my designs so that I may be able to make the necessary changes to the design and fit of the garments.
What do you like about your work?
I like garments, which contour and compliment the body, so being able to work in a field that specifically does so comes naturally to me when designing.
What advice would you pass along to those starting out in the Fashion Business?
I would advise them to not be so hard on themselves and compare themselves to others, and that studying and working in fashion needs dedication and a true love for what they are doing.
What inspires you?
I tend to be inspired by things that in some way resemble my character and myself. I find that textures and fabrics are a good starting point for my inspiration.
