Lewis Heath is a Creative Pattern Cutter at Simone Rocha in London. He graduated from the BA (Hons) Fashion Design course at NTU in 2012 and has over 10 years of experience in the fashion industry. Prior to his current position, he worked in various companies. During his time at Hilfiger, he gained valuable experience in teamwork through engaging in numerous team activities, which helped him develop strong bonds with his colleagues. At Hilfiger, the company provided Lewis with training in digital pattern-cutting software. With this new skill set, he was promoted to the position of department head when he was around 24 years old. However, as he took on more responsibilities related to managing the department, he found that he had less time for actual pattern-cutting. This shift towards more business-related tasks led him to make the decision to leave the company.
After leaving Hilfiger, Lewis went on to work at G-star, a Dutch company known for its focus on sustainability. However, due to the language barriers associated with working in a Dutch company, he faced some challenges. After two years, he decided to return to London. He believed that his experience at G-star would help him secure a new job, but unfortunately, it took him six months to land a position at Marques Almeida. Working at Marques Almeida served as a gateway for Lewis to enter the luxury market. With a larger budget and more creative freedom, he was able to explore and experiment with bold and unconventional styles. However, this journey was not without its challenges. Lewis dedicated long hours, often working 14-hour days and sacrificing sleep. Despite the demanding workload, the satisfaction of seeing his work showcased on the catwalk brought him a sense of fulfilment.
After two years at Marques Almeida, Lewis began exploring freelance opportunities. With his experience and reputation, he was able to pursue freelance work that offered competitive compensation.
In addition to his freelance work, Lewis also worked with SHRIMPS & DELOS, a side brand of Simone Rocha. However, his most significant freelance job was with Simone Rocha herself. As he continued to work on a freelance basis, Lewis reached a point where he needed a stable income due to the upcoming birth of his daughter. This led him to apply for a full-time position at Victoria Beckham.
As Lewis was preparing to leave, his manager had a conversation with Simone Rocha about his departure. Simone expressed a desire for Lewis to stay with the company. This recognition and request from Simone Rocha encouraged Lewis to reconsider his decision and ultimately remain with the brand.
Reflection:
Lewis made a difficult decision when he left a high-paying job at Hilfiger to pursue a career that focused more on pattern cutting. Despite holding a prestigious position as a department head, he felt unfulfilled as he lacked time to engage in his passion for pattern cutting. His choice to prioritize his craft over financial gain was a testament to his dedication and commitment to his chosen field. Also, he recognized the importance of networking and building connections, which allowed him to transition between different companies and find new opportunities. However, it's worth noting that even with a strong network, finding a job can still take time, as evidenced by his six-month job search.
In his pursuit of his dream job, Lewis also explored new avenues, such as freelance work, which proved to be financially rewarding. Throughout his journey, his ultimate goal was to work with Simone Rocha, and he never lost sight of that aspiration. His determination, networking skills, and willingness to try new paths eventually led him to achieve his dream of working with Simone Rocha.
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