Designers Guild Week.

A while ago I applied for work Experience at Designers Guild, and guess what? Last week they accepted my application. The week would be spent between Kings Road in Chelsea and The Marylebone Store along Marylebone Highstreet.
This particular week was the beginning of the New season's Stock arriving at Kings Road so it was incredibly busy, and I have to say the fabrics are just simply beautiful! There is also a new range of paints, wallpapers and furniture, it was all rather exciting.
However I was a little disappointed with what the staff at Kings Road called 'Work Experience'. A word of warning to who ever takes the 'opportunity' in Chelsea that you must ask for tasks to do, and keep asking. I was working with two other girls that week who were not necessarily as confident as myself and did not approach the staff until mid week. The staff at Kings Road were a little rude and kept themselves to themselves, however I do appreciate that they had a busy launch. All we were asking was to be part of the action rather than sit in a sample room and sort boxes. I honestly feel as I did not experience any work!
I did however have to paint some boards and iron a few banners for the displays, and I understand there are always menial tasks to do in every job so I was more than happy to help! The only conciliation for the first three days was one lovely member of staff who worked in the Home wares department next door and of course seeing the New collection.

The fabric however did very much excite me! The New Collection is a mix of painting and digital images (seen above) along side some very luscious purples and yellows. Below are a few photos from the Kings Road showroom.

The second part of the week was spent at the Marylebone Highstreet Store, which was a breathe of fresh air, they were the friendly and fun and a great place to spend on a Work Experience placement. 

The women explained the origins of the Company and that the Creator Tricia Guild designs every piece with her small team. The furniture they have in store is also not reproduction furniture but is sourced by a buyer abroad to fine genuine antique pieces. Every item in their store is then professionally upholstered, cleaned and then sold in store. I also got the opportunity to talk to the customers and advise them on colours and fabric which is really what I had wanted to take part in at the beginning on the week. 

The staff there also make these beautiful little mood boards for customers to get some inspiration, as quite often looking at piles of fabric can be a little intimidating... and where do you start? They are created by the staff who are all incredibly passionate about interiors and two of them at studied Interior Design, so you really felt as if you could be advised by a professional.

They really wanted me to be part of the store and learn about the company, so they got me to help with building a bed. However I did take a step back to take a few photos. It was an original French antique bed, and it was beautiful! I wasn't sure on the colours, however once the bed was dressed it looked fantastic!

Overall I feel like I had a very good experience at The Marylebone Store, however I do feel there should be a plan or at least a specific role for the work experience employees to take part in rather than sit in a sample room and not experience much at all. The King's Road Store has a brilliant reputation and because the status it has as the Flag ship store I really was expecting more. It has taught me a lot about interiors and the company so it has been a worth while experience. ( and don't worry the next blog will be happier, but I will certainly be passing this information on to Designers Guild).

Have a good week guys x