I have extensive business experience in the fashion apparel industry in Europe, Turkey and particularly the Asia Pacific region, including Taiwan, Hong Kong, China. I have been working in Fashion Management, Manufacturing and Marketing for a wide range of International Fashion Brands as well as my own clothing labels. Since 2008, I have been teaching in Higher Education Fashion Management, Branding & Marketing at the University for the Creative Arts (London), Istituto Marangoni (London) and University of Southampton, Winchester School of Art.
CAREER SUMMARY
After graduating with a B.Sc. (Hons) degree in Textile Design & Technology in 1985, I worked as a design manager in Taiwan for 2 years. I then moved to Hong Kong where I worked for 10 years within the Fashion business and manufacturing industry. My career has enabled me to travel extensively throughout Asia, Europe and America.
I returned to London in 1996 to establish my own clothing label and retail shops as well as creating a design and business consultancy for emerging UK clothing brands. In 2000 I moved to Brussels, Belgium to establish my international consultancy practice for project management in clothing related product innovation.
I returned to UK in 2008 to start teaching Fashion Management, Branding & Marketing at the University for the Creative Arts. I then taught at Instituto Marangoni in London and in 2014 started at Winchester School of Art.
I have done many different things alongside my professional career, I have managed a public house, made glass art and jewellery, practiced alternative healing techniques and flamenco dance. I have always made time for charitable work, mostly for Marie Curie and the MND association. I am a carer and consultant to several health and social care educational institutions and organisations.
I consider myself a futurist, I spend more of my time looking to what will happen next, rather than what has happened in the past. I am positive and passionate about new opportunities, trends and forecasting for the future.
PERSONAL VALUES
- Global cultures, diversity, inclusivity and equality.
- Integrated Communications – visual, written, verbal, digital and virtual.
- Quality, Value, Standards, Employability and Professionalism.
- Integrity, Ethics, and Sustainable Regeneration.
- Innovation and Enterprise for the global apparel industry.
- New creative challenges and new inspirational learning spaces.
- Lifelong Learning
SPECIALIST INTERESTS
- Oriental Culture, Textiles & Costume
- Health and Social Care Charity work
- Dignity in Dying campaigning
- Science Fiction
- My favourite things: Sunflowers, horses, seaside, art, crafts