With the long term sustainability of the NZ Fashion Industry in mind and providing opportunity to up and coming talent, at JH we are proud to offer an intensive two week paid internship programme to individuals who have a passion for working within our industry.
The program involves going behind-the-scenes, and getting an insight into the departments and people who contribute to the success of the Juliette Hogan brand.
We chatted to Libby, our most recent intern, about her experience and thoughts on her time in the program.
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Tell us 3 interesting facts about yourself.
I recently moved from the Coromandel to Auckland to study. I am really passionate about ethically produced fashion and I love art and history!!
What are you currently studying?
I’m studying a bachelor of sustainable fashion at Whitecliffe. This degree covers a broad range of design development and patternmaking skills however, it’s primarily focused on earth centred and ecological design processes. I’m grateful that Whitecliffe has recognised the importance of this subject/issue and are able to pass it on to us. I believe that sustainable fashion will be vital in the fashion industries future.
Why did you want to apply for the paid internship program with Juliette Hogan and what were you hoping to gain?
I value Juliette Hogan and the way they produce clothing. They are a trustworthy brand who put their people first. I am also very interested in Juliette’s design development process, and I wanted an insight into the reality of how this New Zealand fashion brand successfully operates. This internship programme gave me the opportunity to learn about all the different roles involved in creating a sustainable luxury fashion brand/business, and has also shown me what roles I could possibly work towards in my future.
What is the most interesting thing you have learnt during your time at Juliette Hogan, and any new skills, techniques or knowledge?
I was able to have one on one interviews with almost all of the woman who are a part of the team. They all taught me so much and opened my eyes up to all the different aspects of their jobs. I am really thankful to all of them. I also really enjoyed having the privilege of sitting in on the Mindful Fashion meetings, as well as new project meetings. Juliette Hogan is working on some really new and innovative ideas to further grow as a company and it was really special for me to observe and learn from.
Were there any surprises during your experience?
One of the biggest surprises was getting the opportunity to learn from the other companies who help with Juliette Hogan’s production. For example their cutters and the apparel attachment team were also kind enough to let me have a tour of their workspaces and learn about the machinery they currently use. This was very exciting for me and I didn’t expect this opportunity.
Would you recommend this internship to other students? Why or why not?
I would definitely recommend this internship. I feel that I learnt so much so quickly, and was able to gain more of an understanding for myself, as to what a luxury New Zealand fashion company truly is. Every woman there is very passionate about their roles within the business. They took the time to answer any questions I had, and gave me insight into their day to days, so it was a wonderful experience to learn from them.
How has this internship helped you for your future studies and career?
I now know a lot more about my future career options and I feel that this will help me decide on what area in the industry I want to work towards. I have learnt a lot about quality and the finer details on what to look out for on a garment. I feel that now I have higher standards for my own garment construction. I also love how they draw inspiration from the print, the art itself. This is inspiring and it has taught me a lot about design processes.
What is your advice for future JH interns?
I would recommend to take as many notes as possible and don't be afraid to ask questions. I’m really glad I have written down a lot of what I’ve learnt, and I can see myself using this as a tool for my studies. I had a lot of fun and I would say to the future intern to enjoy it because it truly is a special opportunity.
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Applications are currently open for our next JH Short-term Paid Internship, starting 20 February 2023. If you are interested in the program and would like to find out more or apply, please click here.