Design Studio Assistant Review

The work wasn't as interesting as I had expected. I love handling clothes and examining the finer details, but when you are working with the same pattern for days at a time it can become really tiresome.

As I was working just as long hours as the paid members of staff, yet receiving no financial income, I struggled to feel like I was valued at all. If other people are being paid handsomely for doing a tiny little bit more work than you, it makes you feel quite worthless.

The managing director on the studio floor was very kind and often brought us refreshments. She made sure that we were all motivated to do our best for the company.

I never stopped. The minute you finish one pattern, it's onto the next one. It's so hectic and pressured that by the time your breaks come, you're thankful for the chance to have a good rest.

I was trusted with the fabrics and material but that was about all the responsiblity I got. I wouldn't say I was considered an essential member of staff by any means. I was just one member of a team of ten who all had the same jobs to do.

I was able to see the practical side of the fashion industry and this helped me a lot with the textiling assignments on my degree. Another good factor of my internship was that I can now put I worked at Vivienne Westwood on my CV.

After the first half an hour of every day the work became dull and so did the atmosphere in the studio. People were under too much pressure to even think about anyone other than themselves. The only time I had a proper conversation with any other member of staff was on my lunch break as that was the only time that you could finally relax and be considerate of others.

Let's just say that the internship was planned to benefit the company rather than the student. The company didn't really care about my progress, it was more about producing the vast number of items that they needed.

Absolutely nothing. I was given quite extensive training into how to copy the patterns and alter the fabrics, but this was only because the materials were both limited and expensive and couldn't be wasted. The company wasn't interested in training me or developing my fashion skills beyond what they needed from me.

I'm not sure if there are many jobs available there but I'd only ever go back if there was a paid position.

Not really. Being too busy to socialise during working hours meant that I, and those around me, never made any strong bonds. I went into work, did my job, then left at the end of the day.

With no income to support me I couldn't afford to do a thing. I spent all my savings relocating to London to have, what I thought was going to be, the greatest internship ever. In the end, I left disappointed with both my intern experience and my time living in the capital.

I imagine it's awesome in London, but I wouldn't be the person to ask. On my budget I struggled to pay the bills, let alone have nights out drinking.

Not for me there wasn't. I'm sure if circumstances were different and I had made a few work friends and had the finances to live a little, I would have been involved in many activities outside of work but for me this wasn't the case.