Don't have the Ideal Lingerie Studio?

Don't be put off by not starting work on your own designs by not having the perfect studio/workspace. I take look back at all the places I have worked in.

Over the years I have worked in many a studio. My first job was as a T-shirt designer for a UK lingerie manufacturer, just me and a sample machinist in a cold, cold room. I remember in Winter standing so close to the electric heater that my coated jeans (it was the year 2000) melted and cracked!

My second job was with the same company, I kept showing them my lingerie portfolio and helping out in the lingerie studio in my own time, and after a few months I was moved. I was next to a radiator - bliss, a large window and with two other designers, who helped me and taught me about the lingerie trade.

My next job was in Thailand, I had no desk, I positioned myself on Koh Tao using Thai beach restaurants as my workspace. Their tables were big enough to spread out, and the restaurants were cheap enough to pitch myself their most of the day with intermittent swims to cool down. Was it amazing as it sounds - one word yes.

Upon returning to the UK, I set up Vanjo, in my spare bedroom, I started off working around the spare bed with a small desk in the corner, over the years the bed went and office furniture replaced it. Though I never had a desk that big enough; so all my cutting involved me cutting the pattern out of the rolls of fabric on the floor.

After Vanjo, I took a part time job and started to write "How to become a Lingerie Designer", here  I found the joys of working in libraries, (Amsterdam Library in my opinion has been the best, followed by Melbourne), coffee shops and Wine bars. I use to make sure I always had work in my bag so after or before working my part-time job, I could concentrate on it, as rarely did I find the motivation to work at home.

My view behind me in the Australian studio.

Working back full time in the Lingerie trade was the next port of call in Melbourne Australia, unfortunately the studio space wasn't what I expect, I had no windows and was surrounded by boxes upon boxes of samples, with quite a strict regime about not being to listen to music. 

Then I returned to freelance, designing and writing where I mainly work from home, I now have a large table that's situated near big windows and doors so it's wonderfully bright.

But one day when the children are school age, I hope to have the most beautiful inspiring studio.  I wouldn't say no to these.....

Joy Cho's studio from Oh Joy.

Maddie Flanigan's studio from Madalynn

Further reading: How to be a lingerie designer