HELEN CULVER
Email: h.culver@live.co.uk
I am a BA(Hons) Fashion Studies undergraduate at
I am well presented, punctual and hardworking.
I feel I am highly employable and would make a valuable contribution to a working team.
EDUCATION
2006 (-2010)
BA(Hons) Fashion Studies
I am currently in my 2nd year. I am doing very well so far, achieving module grades of A and A- standard. Being at university means I have to be organised to cope with a large workload and have to manage my time efficiently in order to meet deadlines.
During my course so far I have studied design, pattern cutting, a range of garment making, fashion illustration, CAD, knit, and styling as well as undergoing many written projects including analytical reports and studying fashion history.
2005-2006 University of
Foundation Degree: Art and Design
Successful completion. As part of this I studied Fine Art, Photography, Fashion and Illustration including life drawing, observational and perspective drawing.
2001-2005 Ashby Grammar School
A Levels: Textiles Technology A
General Studies A
Mathematics B
Music D
ASVCEs: Business Studies A
GCSEs: 6 A grades and 5 A* grades including English Literature, English Language, Maths,
Sciences, Textiles and German.
OTHER QUALIFICATIONS
ECDL Level 2 - fluent in all aspects of Microsoft Office including Word, Excel, PowerPoint and Access; achieved January 2003
This is an ILM (
An official qualification as proof of my leadership and management abilities.
FASHION EMPLOYMENT AND WORK EXPERIENCE
GEORGE
Assistant Merchandiser, From May 2008
I am currently undergoing a 4 week work placement as an Assistant Merchandiser for Ladies Jersey at GEORGE.
So far I have had to learn a lot of new processes quickly and work under my own initiative in a fast-paced environment. I have also furthered my knowledge of Microsoft Excel.
I hope to extend my placement at GEORGE, gaining experience in the Buying and Garment Technology departments.
All Alts / Tailoring
6 weeks work experience, roles including designing and implementing a staff training scheme; travelling to stores across the UK to train staff; gaining feedback from staff and acting on this; doing a range of alterations and writing a business proposal for a new concession in Selfridges!
I also updated the entire customer database and gained an insight into the made to measure side of the business.
Fantasy & Frills
Ashby de-la-Zouch, January - March ‘08
9 weeks work experience for a new bespoke corset company, roles included; designing a range of corsets, pattern drafting, made-to-measure pattern grading and making corsets to promote the business. I also identified ways the business could improve and promote itself and presenting my findings in a professional report.
I have since been commissioned to make several made to measure corsets for customers.
Fabulous Fabric
Ashby de-la-Zouch, September 2004 - Present, Store Assistant (Part Time)
I currently work in a busy fashion fabric shop where I am required to help and advise customers, relying on my knowledge of fabrics and how to manufacture garments to a high standard. I am used to working in a small team and by myself.
Alteration Hand
Freelance, 2006 - Present
I am a freelance Alteration Hand, doing regular work for Fabulous Fabric and David Holmes of
Employed and paid by XS Productions
Responsibilities included picking up clothes from stores, separating and organising clothes, helping models change, making sure they were on stage in time and at the right time; maintaining the order of the rails between shows and sorting and returning the garments to the retailers in mint condition at the end of the show.
This type of job involves lots of pressure and responsibility which I enjoy and respond well to.
I was re-employed by XS Productions to help at 9 similar shows in March 2008
Spring 2007, Model and Dresser, 1 show
May 2007, Dresser, 2 shows
OTHER EMPLOYMENT AND WORK EXPERIENCE
Kwik Save
Coalville and Burton on Trent, 2002- 2005, Stock Assistant and Coder (Part Time)
I worked directly with the customers, frequently dealing with queries and complaints. I was often left in charge of small groups of employees and always had to work in a team.
As ‘Coder’ I had to routinely check all use-by dates. Failure to do this correctly would result in the company and myself receiving a hefty fine, so this was a role with high responsibility and the need to have attention to detail.
Coalville, 2001- 2003, Dance Teacher, (Part Time)
Between the ages of 14 and 17 I was employed by my dance academy to teach the ‘babies’; two classes of about 20 boys and girls aged 3-5. This job required patience and good leadership as well as being firm, yet friendly and often a good negotiator!
INTERESTS
Music
I play bass guitar and enjoy playing and listening to a wide range of alternative music. In particular I enjoy heavy metal and attend gigs of my favourite bands when I can. I have a huge collection of CDs and memorabilia that I am very proud of!
Fantasy
I love to read and play video games to relax and escape into a world of fantasy! I have a huge imagination, which allows me to be expressive, creative and full of ideas.
REFEREES
Alison Smith
Managing Director
Fabulous Fabric
Ann Draycott
Programme Leader
