Cate Coles fashion Design Home
PhotographsDesignsToileCadPattern TechnologyCurriculum VitaeLinks
 

Curriculum Vitae

Name: Cate Coles

Date of Birth: 26th of October 1973

Email: cate@catecoles.co.uk

Web: www.catecoles.co.uk

I am an original designer and pattern cutter, whose approach is based upon research, analysis and the evaluation of data and ideas. I am enthralled by the whole creative process, from inception to completion, and find that designing, pattern cutting and grading fulfill both my creative and mathematical interests. The evolution of a well-made and beautiful garment, from simple sketch to finished product, is something I love to be part of. This, of course, is not without its pitfalls and problems; I enjoy tackling these with calm logic and a sense of humour in adversity.

I enjoy working as part of a team but, when necessary, have leadership qualities, which I have used in community work. My computer skills have served me well both in design and research, as well as in the development of my own website.

I have excellent time management skills, which help me to be very professional in all I do. I enjoy organising my time effectively - this helps me to be independent and work without constant supervision.

Education:
Berkshire College of Art and Design
Raymond Road
Maidenhead
Berkshire
(Sept. 1993 - July 1995)

Fashion OND - July 1995

Merit
 
Gloucestershire University
Albert Road
Cheltenham
Gloucestershire
(Oct. 1995 - June 1998)

Fashion Design Technology

BA Honours Degree - July 1998

 2:1

 

Referees:

Mr. Simon Lucas

Simon Lucas (Executive Games)

Unit 2B

Wagon Yard

London Road

Marlborough

Wiltshire

United Kingdom

Tel: +44 (0) 1672 516145

 

Julia Connelly

Laura Ashley Home

Unit 1

Hilliers Yard

Marlborough

Wiltshire

United Kingdom

Tel: +44 (0) 1672 519980

Work:


KnitAlert, New York.  2002 - 2004
I worked freelance as Chief Fashion Illustrator for a trend magazine company. I produced illustrations for two different editions, KnitAlert and CircularLogic.

 

Laura Ashley.  July 2002 - Oct 2005

I was employed as a Resident Visual Merchandiser.  I travelled around to different Laura Ashley shops and merchandised their products to company standards in both garment and home sections.  I also advised and assisted each shop on room set layout, dressing and implementation.  

 

The Great British Collection / Simon Lucas (Executive Games). July 2001 - July 2002 
I was employed as designer and webmaster of The Great British Collection website and the Bridge Cloths Direct website.  I was also in charge of orders taken through these sites.  The second part of my job was producing handmade card-table cloths.  I designed the new range of cloths that have recently been added to the full collection.

The Wedding Vault / Truly Scrumptious. April 2000 - July 2001
I was employed as Manager of Bridal Gown Production. My main role involved the design and production of wedding gowns and the management of a team of employees. I also dealt with customers in the shop and answered the phones as necessary.

 Achievements:

 

I have my own websites promoting my fashion, illustration and jewellery work.  I designed and produced these myself. 

 

I design and make my own range of jewellery that I sell online and at craft fairs.  I specialise in fantasy inspired costume jewellery.


I appeared on Granada Breeze, a live television program.  I was the fashion 'expert' giving advice about revamping old garments.

I was interviewed by Cambridge Varsity Newspaper. I appeared in an article about the struggles fashion graduates face after they leave college. The article also featured photographs of my work.

 For the last eight years, I have been designing and making garments for clients.  In recent years I have specialised in bridal / evening bodices.  I go through the whole process of the client coming to me with an idea, then I design the garment for them.  I then make the pattern, toile the garment to make sure of the fit, and then produce the garment in the chosen fabric.

Interests:


I am an avid reader, and enjoy horror and occult fiction.  This has rekindled my passion for writing and I have recently tried my hand at writing my own horror stories.

I am a big fan of motor sport, especially Formula One, and  have been to the British Grand Prix twice.

I love to travel and have been to Sweden, Denmark, France, Moscow & St Petersburg in Russia and New York & Florida in the USA.  My most recent trips were to the Highlands of Scotland, Dublin and Spain.

 

I also really enjoy socialising and window shopping!

 

Computer Skills:

 

The software packages I have used are:

  • Window's 2000, including Word 2000

  • FrontPage 2000

  • MicroDesign's Lumena

  • Corel Xara, Corel PhotoPaint, Corel Draw

  • Paint Shop Pro

  • Fractal Design's Painter and Poser

  • Adobe Photoshop

  • Lectra's Modaris

Driving License:

 

I have held a clean driving license for 10 years.