Leanne Keogh, Bray Co. Wicklow.
Leanne studied a B/A in fashion design in NCAD and graduated last year with one of the most celebrated student shows of the year. Leanne is living proof that it’s not about who you know in the industry (an often criticised element of the fashion world) but that hard work and natural talent are the true key steps to working your way up.
Design by Leanne Keogh
Leanne spent her final college summer before graduating interning as a sample room assistant at Richard Nicoll (shows at London Fashion week) and by the end of her 4 months Leanne was working directly under the head pattern cutter. It was during this unique experience where Leanne had her ‘eureka’ moment and realised this was the field of interest she wanted to pursue.
Upon her return to Dublin to complete her final year in NCAD, after her dive in the deep end of the London Fashion Industry pool, Leanne knew London was where she needed to be once she graduated and set her sights on returning as quick as she could.
Upon graduating, lucky for her (or not lucky - highly deserving) Leanne was invited back to Richard Nicoll (after completing a 3 week placement with the fabric and trims team in BURBERRY may I add) where she is due to stay until after the February womenswear show. Due to Leanne’s exceptional degree results, she was awarded the Leonardo Da Vinci European arts grant to support furthering her experience (eh - YAY Europe? This gives me a warm fuzzy feeling).
However not even 5 days ago Leanne was offered a position as sample room manager at Richard Nicoll. She’s also been bumped up from 3 to 5 days a week. She’s now doing more pattern cutting and her role entails coordinating the development from pattern, to fabric to the machinist. So essentially from this week on shes managing the production of all the in-house samples for the men’s AW14 show - GO LEANNE. I actually start in The Communications Store in Kensington in August (Fashion PR, Events & Marketing company) and Richard Nicoll is one of their clients, so I look extremely forward to potentially working with this talented young lady.
Design by Leanne Keogh
“I am really enjoying the experience I’m getting at the moment but Im eager to get back into a design role soon. Pattern cutting helps you understand the possibilities of design and I am excited about the prospect of putting all that I have learnt into a design context. In London Celine would be my dream company to work for, I love their aesthetic but I also have New York in the back of my mind and experience in a sports brand like Lacoste over there would be really interesting.”
“Brands such as Jill Sander, Celine, Chole and Proenza Schouler really influence me.”
What advice would you give 16 year old you?
“Not to worry so much.”
It’s hard to believe Leanne only graduated last year and has already done so much! Here at Distinct we’re very excited to see how far this Bray girl goes, and judging off her speedy start, we’ve no doubt it will be all the way to her own show in London Fashion Week and beyond.
Post by Rob Kenny