Ela Marita Avitabile » BODY

BODY: Design Assistant/Patternmaker 2004-2006

admin — Sat, 13 Sep 2008 10:30:04 +0000

When the Visual Merchandiser came back to work I was offered the Head Office position of Workroom Assistant. Because of my knowledge of the BODY stores and product as well as my recent completion of Clothing Industry Studies course, the intention was that I would quickly learn the ropes and became the Design Assistant/Patternmaker soon after. This was a fantastically creative position in a small company manufacturing locally in Melbourne. I learned so much here and became skilled enough in Patternmaking to be able to successfully work in London when I left. Below are a few examples of my Patternmaking.

BODY spring summer 06/07

BODY Autumn/Winter 07/08

BODY Spring Summer 05/06

BODY Autumn Winter 07/08

BODY: Visual Merchandising and Retail Sales 2003-2004

admin — Sat, 13 Sep 2008 10:25:42 +0000

After working in the BODY stores for around 1 year, I was offered the position for Assistant Visual Merchandiser. This is a valuable part of my experience because I learned to understand from a retail perspective what customers want. It was also highly creative in window display changes every week. We concentrated on keeping the store fresh and interesting each week.

The Head Visual Merchandiser took leave for 10 weeks, and I took over for that time. Below you can see 2 examples of window displays I created during that time.

BODY SS05/06 Melbourne store windows

EMA: hand made accessories 2003-2006

admin — Sat, 13 Sep 2008 10:20:12 +0000

During my time working at BODY, I formed my own accessory label called EMA. I produced hand knitted scarves in various yarns and colours to compliment the autumn/winter collections. For spring/summer I made knotted fabric scarves in different fabrics and textures.

EMA knitted scarves in store and on the catwalk for BODY AW 05/06

Knotted scarves made for BODY to send to the UK as press gifts

EMA Scarves in British Elle Magazine 2006

EMA Scarf in Heral Sun photographed with BODY clothing