NAME: Eddi D'Elia

JOB TITLE: K Karl Lagerfeld, Designer & Creative Coordinator

WHERE DID YOU START YOUR CAREER?

My career began right back in my very first year of fashion studies when I took on a Christmas position at a department store. While all the other casuals I began with were placed in toys or the Christmas shop, I was allocated to mens suits. What I thought was dull at the time turned out to be a great learning process as it taught me about tailoring fits & construction along with fabric knowledge. It complimented my studies perfectly at the time and I ended up staying employed there long after the Christmas rush, for the entire length of my studies in fact. This opened the door to move into fashion buying which in turn opened many more doors in the future!

WHAT DO YOU LOVE ABOUT YOUR JOB?

There are so many things about my job that I am thankful for everyday but the colourful and inspirational people that I meet & the places that my work takes me all over the world would have to be the most cherished part of what I do. There have been many occasions where I have literally needed to pinch myself to believe where I was. Those sorts of situations and experiences motivate and inspire me to create newness and move forward. You can't be static in fashion, it's a journey that gives as much energy as it takes.

TELL US ABOUT YOUR "AVERAGE" DAY, WHAT DO YOU DO?

That's actually a tough one as I don't really have an average day! Designing product and overseeing brand image means that I could be in the office working on new sketches and planning new ranges, meeting with fabric suppliers or approving various parts of the collection or out of the office with the production team visiting suppliers to review fits and new prototype developments across Europe or Asia and sometimes at photo shoots working with stylists to oversee the brand image. It's a very dynamic & creative working environment where your most important asset is flexibility.

IS THERE ANYTHING THAT YOU DREAD DOING?

Ok, that one's easy, reconciliations & expenses after a month of busy travels across the world. It would be so much easier to do if the world had one currency!

YOUR ADVICE TO SOMEONE WHO WANTS A CAREER IN FASHION:

Love what you do & have a passion for it. There will be weeks or months where it gets so busy and consuming that you need to stay grounded. You really need to love what you do and do it with passion to carry you through the not so fun jobs (and sometimes people) that come with the industry. Also remember that every job has in some way, something you can gain or learn from it that will benefit you in future roles.

IS IT WHAT YOU KNOW OR WHO YOU KNOW?

You can't have one without the other I say. If you do your job well & with gusto you'll be noticed by people who will recommend you and want to work with you. I always go by the saying, it's your employers company but it's your career so always give your best.

WHAT INSPIRES YOU?

People. There is so much diversity in this world that people are a constant source of inspiration. From observing a stranger on a foreign metro to a conversation with long time friends, inspiration can be in everyone.