I was lucky enough to be invited to attend the Liberty ‘Best of British Design' call. Along with 499 other designers I queued up, Starbucks in hand, Look-book tucked securely under arm, samples safely packed away in bag (checked on every 5 mins), phone busily receiving and sending texts from loved ones boosting my confidence. Ironically, I was standing outside the window of the jewellery department – looking in on the space I wanted- which in turn was looking out on me, assessing, criticising, the beggar on the street.
Eventually 9:30 arrived and the doors opened and we obediently headed up the grand staircase of the store – not before the TV camera pans past the queue I am stood in capturing me nonchalantly leaning against the railings like I couldn’t give a flying one, probably dribbling coffee down my chin at the same time. (If Claire was with me then it would’ve been fizz – a bit classier and she would have made me pout more than normal too!).
I then headed to the holding area where you are thrown into a room with all the other designers, eyeballing each other, summing each other up. A few faint smiles and nods of ‘Hey we’re all in this together. Good luck’ but few and far between. A small space, massive egos, and only a handful of chairs. Luckily I am a hardcore heel wearer so standing didn’t faze me. At this precise moment I feel like I can take you all out. I am up for it; I am a brave, confident, independent woman. I am Rocky in the female form. Then...
Two hours down the line and Im still waiting. Bottle going. I can see other people’s designs out the corner of my eye. Why am I here? Who do I think I am sitting here thinking Liberty is going to give a flying one about my designs? Sitting between two Northern,camp bears who really made me giggle has boosted my confidence and also seeing a lovely girl who is fresh out of college, chaperoned by her mum and a bunch of her gorgeous handmade scarves – only to hear the buyer (who I could spy from where I was standing) say to her ‘I love them! I absolutely love them’ made me happy because she had no ego also I don’t know who was more excited, the Daughter or the Mother! There was nothing obnoxious, pretentious or stereotype ‘designer’ about her. I only hope she stays that way. She deserved the recognition and her designs were lovely.
My turn came all too soon. ‘Harrison Roberts? You are up in 1 minute. Have your designs ready. You’re in next.’ A smiley PR face took me through to the room – introduced me to a buyer – sorry I forget her name because the other person at the table was Susie Bubble!! Oh my word as if I wasn’t nervous enough! Opening my boxes, ‘be yourself, be you’ mantra ringing in my ears. They are picking it up! OMG they are picking up my work and examining it! They scan my look-book critically – I only have 3 minutes in which to sell my soul, my life, my career. We must be 2:30 secs in now and all feeling has left my body. I am a bag of bones in their hands... We like it, we love the on trend delicate print and the idea of the signature leaves. However, we feel as though it is a bit too delicate for what we are offering this season.’ I started to shrink. I’ve blown my big chance. I had got my ideas wrong. But then... ‘My instinct says the bolder cufflinks you have here are more us. I would advise you follow this up in the New Year’. Music to my ears. I woke up from my semi depression and could feel my heart beating again. ‘Those ones?’ I ask tentatively, scared to ask in case they changed their minds. ‘Yes. Bold. Different.’ ‘Okay, lovely ermm... yup’ I started faffing. My three minutes were up and I was asked to move on. ‘Thank you, thank you for this opportunity’ I gushed 'You're welcome. Well done’ they replied.
Oh. Those cufflinks were designed for someone else. He hasn’t even got them yet. I’m sure he won’t mind but they were originals and for a special occasion. Perhaps I can adapt the new ones slightly so they look the same but aren’t. Hmm.
However, I’m happy it wasn’t a total waste of time and I now have something to work towards. Possibilities are endless...
On the flipside of things I saw Dr Frankenstein and he is sending me off for an MRI scan of my head and neck to check out what is going on with my arm and headaches. I think I know what it is. I have a pin head and my brain has become so big that it causing pressure. Problem solved. Right!?!
Until next time...
X