A one day diary from the morning latte to lights out.

MY ALARM GOES OFF…

At 10am during fashion week. I shower and dress in simple black clothes and trainers, aiming for maximum comfort as Il spend the next 16 hours running between fittings.

I’M RESPONSIBLE FOR…

Ensuring brands clothes look the best they possibly can on the models. This often means altering waists, changing trouser and skirt lengths and, at times, re-stitching whole garments. Most alterations are done in the few days before a show, after the models have been chosen. When it’s not fashion week, I’ll do this at photo shoots.

I GOT MY JOB…

After doing work experience for the backstage management company Chapman Burrell at the age of 15. I loved the pace of the industry so I did a womenswear degree at London College of Fashion and was hired as a seamstress by Chapman Burrell when I graduated.

MY TYPICAL DAY…

Begins with a briefing from the show stylist, who explains how an outfit should look on the model. I then make the necessary alterations – from adding new linings to changing the pleat on a skirt. There have been times when designers have liked the style of jacket but wanted it in a different fabric, so I’ve been given a pattern then had to make the whole thing from scratch. I might be asked to turn a skirt into a pair of trousers or make accessories as finishing touches. When it’s time for the show all the outfits have to be ready no matter what so the work continues until everything is done. The end of my day could be anywhere between 6pm and 6am.

MY MOST MEMORABLE WORK MOMENT…

Was a fashion brands creative director presenting me with a huge bouquet of flowers at the end of the show. It had been a particularly intense job and i’d worked through the night for almost a week, so it felt great when my efforts were recognised.

THE WORST PART OF MY JOB…

Is being backstage at a fashion show. It’s always rammed with sleep deprived stylists, models and seamstresses. The design team have spent six months working towards this one event so tensions are inevitably high.

THE BEST PART OF MY JOB…

Is seeing the collection I’ve stressed over come together on the catwalk. I was once given a few hours to turn a vintage cape into a pleated skirt for a show. I also didn’t have a pattern so I pinned the cape on the model, chalked the markings on, and then hand- sewed it.

AFTER WORK …

I’m so exhausted ill shower and go straight to sleep. Even if its 6pm.

Credit to Stylist magazine and Alice Ratcliffe.