AW24 TREND : Aprs Ski Chic

Ah, the apres ski chic trend, because apparently, what the world needs right now is a healthy dose of 70s and 80s nostalgia mixed with a side of skiwear. Who knew that vintage-inspired ski apparel would make a roaring comeback? Perhaps it's a desperate attempt to escape the monotony of lockdowns and work-from-home routines. Suddenly, everyone seems to be channeling their inner retro ski bunny, donning colour-block onesies, oversized goggles, and chunky knit beanies as if they've just stepped out of a time machine from the era of disco and questionable fashion choices.

Whether it's a genuine love for vintage ski fashion or just an excuse to hit the slopes and take some Instagram-worthy shots, the apres ski chic trend is certainly making its presence known. See you on the slopes, darlings – in all our vibrant, throwback glory!

The mood board above is something I would create as a first page when looking into trends for the next season. From this I can start to pull outfit images, silhouettes, top key items and finally resulting in the actual design of a new apparel product.

Mood - Apres Ski Chic

If you want to look at a brand that are doing things right, take a look at Halfdays. If you’re on the lookout for stylish and earth-friendly outdoor wear, you've got to check out Halfdays. This brand is all about nailing the perfect combination of fit, function, and style, all while being a champion for our planet.

What sets Halfdays apart is their unwavering commitment to using only recycled materials that are responsibly sourced. Not only will you look amazing in their gear, but you can feel good about reducing your environmental footprint with every wear.
So if you're ready to embrace sustainable style without compromising on looks or performance, Halfdays is the brand you need in your life. Let's step into the outdoors with fashion that's as eco-conscious as it is fabulous!

Fay Midweight Merino Top - £90, Isabel Soft Shell Bib Pant -£336, Halfdays

Merino base layer top, a midweight blend of merino wool and bamboo to keep you warm from basecamp to backcountry. Pair this with the slim-fit soft shell bib pant, designed to be as flattering as it is functional.

Free People is an inspiring brand known for its stylish and contemporary designs, offering a diverse range of clothing and accessories that embody a feminine and spirited aesthetic. The activewear and ski sections are particular highlights, showcasing a stunning array of modern and stylish designs that seamlessly blend fashion and functionality. With a focus on quality and innovation, Free People appeals to the modern woman who seeks both elegance and performance, making it a go-to destination for fashion-forward activewear and skiwear. I use this website regularly for design inspiration and creating cool on trend boards.

Myoko Jacquard Base Leggings, £118 - Free People

Undercover Base Legging, £98 - Free People

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PE Nation has consistently been my go-to brand for fashion design inspiration, seamlessly blending style with performance gear like no other. Their sustainable ski jackets not only boast top-notch functionality on the slopes, but they also showcase the brand's commitment to sustainability. The use of all-over prints in their designs adds a distinctive flair, setting them apart from other brands in the industry. The fusion of bold, eye-catching prints with high-performance materials is a testament to PE Nation's ability to merge fashion and function seamlessly.

Check out their Snow Collection Drop 2 here

Niseko Snow Jacket in Bandana Print - £336, PE Nation

Design project - yoga wear, Chak 7 Apparel

I am currently designing for Chak 7 apparel which is a New York based brand focusing on yoga apparel. I really love the style and aesthetic of the direction they give me. We have played around with a couple of mesh options but went for a sleek striped mesh which works so nicely up the thigh. It not only looks cool but is really breathable and the fabric is super form fitting. 

At the moment the collection is purely leggings and a long sleeve top with the plan to branch out.  Sometimes it can be hard to come up with original and great looking legging designs. The Ath-leisure market is becoming seriously over crowded with every client wanting the same thing. As a brand you really do need a special USP....you need something unique to stand out. So it does become harder as a designer to think of the next great look. Stepping out of your office to walk around a city is really beneficial if you want to stay motivated and keep updated with what people are wearing on the streets. It is really important to do this as a freelancer and not become stale within your surroundings!

Exciting project for Instagram fitness sensation

I think for me , one of the best things about being a freelancer is the variety of projects you get to work on. Each day is completely different and tends to bring a new and exciting project. Well not every day, but more often than it used to be working for a big sports brand. One project included helping a guy who was successful on Instagram as a health and fitness 'guru'. I hate that word but I guess thats what you could call him. He currently has more than a million followers.

Although his team did not want a massive collection, the aim was to design 5 pieces of gym-wear which would appeal to his audience without being too similar and boring. The process is still on going which can be the case with some projects that you take on. 

*TOPTIP* -  As a freelancer, it really is important that you are always looking at the next month ahead, some projects and clients do become regulars which is great but it really is an on going game where you have to always be applying and finding the next contract. 

Lets see how this project goes....I do hope that this one works out.

First client - Ups & Downs

After moving to Auckland in 2015, I really struggled to find a full time job in fashion design. I went to New Zealand feeling really confident that after working as a designer for Puma, I would easily find a job in Auckland!...I was so wrong. After months of trawling the internet and applying for any kind of 'fashion' based job, I thought it might be best to move back to London. Thats until I stumbled onto a website called Freelancer. Websites such as freelancer, upwork and people per hour are a great way for brands/ companies to find freelancers for website design, graphic design and like me ; fashion design. After taking on lots of small to medium sized projects, I started to gain momentum and realised that I could earn a living doing this full time!

One of my first long term projects was with an exciting cycle brand called Anti-natural. The brand idea was great, the style direction was cool and the Director seemed really enthusiastic about making it a success. As a freelancer, you have to make sure you understand the amount of work you are taking on and cover all the details at the start of a project. As it was one of my first projects, I did not do this and I ended up creating quite a large collection, but I was only charging a fraction of what I should have. I took on an apparel job and didn't realise how many graphics I was going to be designing. Its fine to undercharge slightly at the beginning, and to get good reviews but I was going private with this job and I should have set a more clear guide from the beginning. Never undersell yourself! If you have the experience and you know you are a good designer, don't undersell your talent. In hindsight, what I should have done is tell the client that the job is now a lot bigger than I originally thought and although I am happy to continue- there will now be a new cost going forward.

When you are talking about costs and quotes, make sue you find out how many garments your client is looking for, details about the garments, how many colours, do they need graphics...etc. You can then set up a fixed quote. You then need to talk about revisions, and how much time after you submit the work you can spend on updates. You also need to be clear with your client that design time is separate from technical spec time. This question comes up a lot, so at the beginning of your job make sure you outline the technical specs are a second job. 

You can find the freelance jobs I started off in here:

https://www.freelancer.com/

https://www.peopleperhour.com/

https://www.upwork.com/ab/account-security/login?redir=/