Diary of a Fashion Designer

Win tickets to meet Andy Abraham!

2012-03-05T05:16:00.000-08:00

Throughout March, customers of the Catwalk Cafe will be able to enter their names into a free draw to win two VIP front row tickets to see Andy Abraham and the Big Band Tour at the Alexandra Theatre Birmingham on 13th April 2012. The lucky winners will also get the chance to meet Andy backstage after the show.

The winning ticket will be drawn on 2nd April and anounced on the website.

Andy Abraham at the Catwalk Cafe!

2012-02-08T13:15:00.000-08:00

Andy Abraham returns to the Catwalk Cafe!

Soul-star Andy Abraham chooses Gillian Wesley and the Catwalk Café in Knowle for a signing to launch his hotly-tipped new album and book Remember When…
Just three months after he performed an intimate gig at the opening of Midlands-based fashion designer Gillian Wesley’s fabulous Knowle style-destination, the hugely talented soulful superstar of British soul has picked the Midlands’ fashion hub as the first stop on a promotional tour for his hotly-anticipated new book and album Remember When….
When he performed in Gillian Wesley’s magnificent Belle Époque interior on the evening of 8th December 2011, Andy was so smitten with the designer’s stylish shop and café, that not only did he kick-start his Christmas shopping there, he also vowed to return to the shop when he launches his new book and album on the 15th March.
“It seemed like the ideal place to launch my new album. Gillian’s fashion oozes time-honoured class and style but brings them right up to the minute with funky fabrics and design-twists. That’s exactly what I wanted to achieve with these songs: they’re cover versions, but with a contemporary urban edge and lots of British heart and soul.
-Andy Abraham
Fashion-designer Gillian Wesley is thrilled at the prospect of the soul star’s return visit:
“I remember first seeing Andy on The X Factor. Since then, I have seen Andy perform live on a number of occasions, most recently in the very intimate setting of my new Boutique and Catwalk Cafe in Knowle. His performance that evening was simply breathtaking. Everyone here at Gillian Wesley Design and The Catwalk Cafe feel very privileged that Andy has chosen our venue to launch his new album. I think March 15th will be a very busy day, and a very special one!”
Pop music has always been about stories. Songs have a powerful ability to trigger memories and transport us back to times in our past. With Andy’s amazing experiences on X-Factor, Eurovision and his three sell-out U.K. tours, his music has more stories to tell than most! That’s what makes the combination of book and album so special. Taking an innovative approach at a time when the C.D. industry is at threat from digital downloads. Andy Abraham’s record company is pioneering a unique format that puts the magic back into buying records.
Andy Abraham Remember When… is a unique and innovative deluxe 96-page padded hardback book featuring the brand-new 12 track album from the X-Factor and Eurovision-star. The lavishly illustrated book tells Andy’s fascinating life story through the musical influences that shaped his legendary voice and the record tells the stories of his life through the songs that have been etched in his memories forever.
“This is music that has made me conscious of the world and touched me in a way that makes me want to own each and every one of the songs that I sing. The first ten songs on this album, the cover versions, are songs of my soul.”
—Andy Abraham
Falling just days before Mother’s Day, the event is set to bring even more shoppers than normal to the bustling village of Knowle, the Midlands’ leading destination for independent boutique shopping.
From 2pm on 15th March, Andy Abraham will be signing copies of his new book and album Remember When… at Gillian Wesley and the Catwalk Café in Knowle.

New Shop in Knowle!

2012-02-03T07:14:00.000-08:00

Its been little more than six months since I first fell in love with the old builder's merchants shop opposite the picturesque Parish Church of Knowle. I was looking for new premises for my fashion business and the old shell of a building sparked my imagination the second I saw it!Of course, it looked very different then, but with just a little persuasion I managed to convince the builders of my dream to transform it into a fashion themed cafe and boutique, complete with an in-house design studio.

Having never been shy of doing things differently (there is no point in being the same as everyone else is there?!) I set about creating an unforgettable interior. The parisian style cafe boasts a sweeping red catwalk carpet down the middle. Black and white vintage style tiles and exposed reclaimed brickwork complete the striking look.

Customers can relax over delicious coffee and croissants, or even treat themselves to a traditional afternoon tea, complete with silver teapot and vintage china, whilst admiring the latest designs to emerge from the studio above.

The boutique stocks a range of unique corsets (outerwear not underwear), along with quirky handbags, jewellery, mineral make-up and stunning Italian lace boots.

I have even managed to recruit a fabulous team of local ladies, who dress in traditional black and white uniforms and provide good old fashioned hospitality to all of our customers.

The cafe transforms into a striking venue for our evening events where the red catwalk is frequently put to good use! Fashion shows are not the only events held at the Catwalk Cafe. In my bid to offer something different, we have everything from "Creating your own signature perfume" to "An evening with Andy Abraham"

I love the sense of history and the mix of old and new in Knowle. Imagine my delight one day whilst chatting to one of our regular customers, I discovered that many years ago the very building that I had fallen in love with six months ago was once a habadashery! Perhaps some things are just meant to be......

Behind the Scenes at a Photo Shoot

2011-06-09T11:53:00.000-07:00

Although its not the norm in the fashion industry I love to feature "real women" in my photo shoots and on the web site. Not only are the models featured "real women" of all shapes, sizes and ages, they are often real clients too! After all, there could be no better advert!

So I thought you'd like to see some behind the scenes footage of such a shoot. I am currently running a series of adverts featuring the final shots from this shoot....."Think you couldn't wear a corset? Think again!" Look out for them in the local press!

My thanks must go to......

Andy from www.avonstudios.co.uk (for the professional shots) Andy is a talented photographer and thoroughly recommended for anything from portraits to weddings. A thoroughly nice guy too!

Julie from www.creativehairbyjulie.co.uk Julie has worked on ALL of my photo shoots. As a talented stylist she is able to create hairstyles for all of our models which compliment both the girls themselves and the overall look we are trying to achieve. Nothing fazes her! If you are getting married or have an important date on the horizon....Julie will create an amazing look for you. You will not be disappointed!

Rowena Wilson of www.rowenawilson.com worked her magic with the make up. Unlike many make up artists Rowena is not affiliated to any cosmetic company and only uses those products which she has confidence in. She works not only on photo shoots and catwalk events, but also for private individuals for weddings or special occasions. Impressively, Rowena is qualified with both The British Association of Skin Camouflage and the Red Cross.

Lastly, huge thanks must go to my models Hayleigh, Rachael and Sammy.

If you know of a real woman who would like to model in a future photo shoot, check out the website for forthcoming modelling opportunities.

www.gillianwesley.co.uk

(Thanks to www.danosongs.com for the music)

Home to High Street

2011-06-09T05:46:00.000-07:00

(Photograph by www.avonstudios.co.uk)

Winning a shop in "The Business" competition last year promised to change my life. Ten months on it would be fair to say that I have not been disappointed!

Transforming a home based business into a retail enterprise with a high street presence has been a simply fascinating experience.

I have learnt so much both personally and professionally and I know one thing for sure...life will never be the same again!

In the immediate aftermath of my win I was disappointed to read both online and in the local paper a touch of animosity and plenty of cries of "Not fair"! My friends shook their heads in disbelief at a letter in the local paper suggesting that the prize should have gone to someone else on the basis that I had already "achieved my dreams". Nothing was further from the truth.

That disappointment was short lived when I discovered a really warm welcome waiting for me from the other traders in neighbouring shops. City Arcade consists of a collection of independent shops...all unique in their own way either in terms of the products they sell or the exceptional service they offer. There really is an old fashioned sense of community between the traders...and it really is a pleasure to be part of it.

So, if you are planning to visit I suggest you schedule in time to visit the following shops and introduce yourself:-

Tomlinson Flowers

www.flowers-coventry.co.uk

Award winning high end floristry....beautiful flowers and smiling staff

Silver Glade

www.silvergladejewellery.co.uk

Specialists in silver jewellery......in house designers too

Rufa Fish Spa

www.rufafishspa.co.uk

Unique in Coventry....a pedicure with a difference! Not had a chance to try this out for myself yet...but trust me you will be the first to hear when I do!

Drop in The Ocean

A brilliant health food store backed up by an absolute wealth of knowledge.

Oh, and before you go home treat yourself....

Kittys Sweets

A divine sweet shop adored by young and old (and a great place for presents)

The growth of my business has also enabled me to create a small dedicated team. Vari, Chanelle and I never tire of the positive comments customers make about the shop. It seems people really are tired of the duplication of our high streets and applaud those who are trying to offer something different.There will be interesting times ahead I am sure...but in the meantime I'd like to thank you all for your ongoing support.

Gillian

I won a shop!

2010-08-16T12:39:00.000-07:00

I won a shop!

The news of my win in Coventry's "The Business" competition had finally sunk in. Naturally this soon presented me with a new dilemma...how to convert this empty shell into a quirky fashion boutique worthy of displaying my designs in. Fortunately for me, I had recently met http://http//championsukplc.com/ a company full of enthusiasm for my project. Champions

dedicated team swung into action.

Now these guys are not work shy....long hours and overnight stints are the norm...whatever it takes to get the job done....

Now, how many men does it take to......(only kidding guys!)

The girls worked hard too!

The Coco Chanel theme was taken very seriously!

Within a couple of weeks the shop was complete!

The transformation complete..........the shop opens on 17th August 2010!

14 City Arcade, Coventry. CV1 3HW

http://www.gillianwesley.co.uk/

Can You Keep a Secret?!!!

2010-07-15T12:54:00.000-07:00

I love watching Mary Portas http://www.maryportas.com/ in her quest to help small businesses maintain their presence on Britain's high streets. After all, I do despair at the duplication of our town centres across the country. I can't be the only person who wants to see quaint and quirky shops adding their own splash of colour to our towns and villages. But as the owner of a home based business, I am only too aware of just how difficult that is to achieve, given the high rents and business rates that such retail outlets command.

So you can imagine how my eyes lit up when I saw a local competition to win a shop. I had to read that twice! I had dreamt of having a shop to showcase my designs in. Unfortunately it had all seemed a little pie in the sky given my personal circumstances...that was until I saw "The Business" competition. The prize was a shop in the heart of Coventry's city centre....rent free for a year with business rates paid by CV Onehttp://www.cvone.co.uk/ and a media package between the local radio station, Mercia http://www.mercia.co.uk/, and the Coventry Telegraph http://www.coventrytelegraph.net/ . The total prize value was a staggering £120,000.

I've been running my business from home for the past eight years. I was a dressmaker prior to that in what was little more than a paying hobby. On becoming a single parent I had to reinvent not only myself, but also the business into a viable venture capable of sustaining a family of three.That was a challenge and a half with no backing....and no financial support. But hey...we survived and a new business emerged built around a niche product.....corsets.

Whilst working from home was not ideal, as a single mother to two children it DID suit me. I've seen a lot of the children...had no need for childcare....and on the odd occasion when I have had a sick child.....I've been able to put them to bed and carry on working.

Its also been a huge learning curve. I've become more disciplined, and I have successfully trained my friends and family not to pop round for coffee! In fact, I am quite proud of the way I have blended work and home life.

With a marketing budget of zero, I've become more imaginative in making sure people knew I existed.Even the cashier at our local supermarket says "Oh, you're the corset lady!"

I've got to grips with the internet...my web site...Facebook and blogging....all a complete mystery to me at the start!

So with my children now grown up, this innovative competition appeared at just the right time. An extensive questionnaire followed by a lengthy business plan secured my place in the final.This was to be a real test...pitching Dragon's Den style to a panel of five.

On the day of the pitch I arrived at the Coventry Telegraph offices in a buoyant mood. My friend Teresa and I had literally stopped the traffic whilst manhandling a corseted mannequin through the streets of Coventry! To say we had a positive response was something of an understatement! All I needed to do now was to convince the three men and two ladies on the panel.......

A phone call the next day provided one of life's moments that I will remember forever...."Can you keep a secret? You've won!" said the nice man from the council!

So...this will be the most fascinating year of my life as I embark on a second transformation....from home based business owner to high street retailer.

Fasten your seatbelts............

http://www.gillianwesley.co.uk/

Cannes Film Festival 2010

2010-05-20T01:19:00.000-07:00

Being stranded at the Cannes Film Festival due to volcanic ash wasn't one of the greatest hardships I've had to endure in my life!

So what was I doing there? Well....I was invited under the umbrella of my business(http://www.gillianwesley.co.uk/) and it would have been rude to say no! Simple really!!!

As a lover of both fashion and films...its fair to say that it was quite an intoxicating break in the glorious sunshine of the South of France.(http://www.festival-cannes.com/)

Hospitality was provided by the fabulous Intandem Films (http://www.intandemfilms.com/) and my days were punctuated by attending screenings of their latest offerings.

The first was "One Night in Turin" (http://www.onenightinturin.co.uk/)- an historic account of the events leading up to the 1990 World Cup. Now I am not a football fanatic (as those of you who recall the occasion when I was asked to present the "Man of the match" award at Coventry City Football Club, are well aware! Little did I know that I would also have to CHOOSE the player in question- no mean feat for a girl who knows NOTHING about football! I did, however, do what I do best, and selected the man with the best legs!) This time it was my memory not my....errrr....skill.....that was put to the test! In fact, as the true story unfolded, it triggered many personal memories of that time, followed closely by a sense of shock at the realisation that twenty years had since passed! It's a great story so if you football mad partner wants to drag you along....I say go...you'll enjoy it!!!

The second and third films were so moving, that despite being back at work, the scenes are still tresspassing in my thoughts.

"The Kid" is a harrowing true story of a boy beaten and starved by his parents and then caught up in the criminal underworld. Its a heartbreaking film with a happy ending. Truly inspiring and one I will watch again. In fact, thinking about it....this film should be compulsive viewing for every teacher in the land (http://www.intandemfilms.com/our_films_category.php?cid=2)

And lastly, "Beneath Hill 60"is based on another true story....one I had not heard before.Australian miners were signed up during the second world war to tunnel beneath enemy lines to plant explosives under the German forces. The subsequent blast was heard in London! Imagine that!!! Its incredible to think that the vivid and horrific trench scenes were actually filmed in tropical Queensland...amazing!(http://www.beneathhill60movie.com.au/#/home)

And other than that...shopping ....parties and dining out in fabulous company......what more could a girl ask for?!!!

Help For Heroes Photo Shoot

2010-04-25T00:53:00.000-07:00

http://www.jemsphotography.co.uk/

I have an amazing friend, Erika, who is about to take on the biggest challenge of her life. She is going to climb Killimangaro in aid of a charity very close to her heart......Help for Heroes (http://www.helpforheroes.org.uk/) Erika's very own hero..her son Bradley, is currently serving in Afghanistan. I, along with her many other friends, look on with amazement at not only the bravery of these young men and women, but that of their families too. Just take a look at the photograph below of Erika and John welcoming their hero back home.You wont fail to be moved by the emotion of it all......

Now at the very first suggestion of me joining the team to climb Killimangaro, I swiftly volunteered to do what I do best instead...make a corset! A camouflage corset...naturally!

A photo shoot was quickly organized by John (wwwjemsphotography.co.uk) at Wellesbourne Airfield alongside the Vulcan Bomber.

Special thanks to all who volunteered their time and expertise

Models Kylie and Chloe

Jems Photograpy 01788 535749

Hair by Julie 07722908016

Make up by Susan 07899928555

For more information please visit http://www.gillianwesley.co.uk/

Welcome!

2010-04-23T01:55:00.000-07:00

Hi! I'm Gillian...fashion designer to real women (no size zeros in my studio!) I always think that the term "Fashion Designer" can really conjure up the wrong image.....think more "girl next door who wants every woman to experience that red carpet feeling" than "barking mad creative type who designs unwearable catwalk clothes!"

I specialize in corsets (yes..AND skirts AND shrugs etc..the complete look!)I am blessed with amazing customers...all are are incredible women each in their own way. Relationships are built alongside the design and construction of their outfits. Its always a fun experience and many clients stay on as friends, and later return to model in photo shoots and at events.They get to meet each other and have frequently been referred to as "The Wesley Girls"!
So who wears a corset? Let me tell you..EVERY woman should own a corset! Why? they look great (always attention grabbing outfits if I say so myself!) and they feel wonderful to wear.Lots of people expect them to be uncomfortable (appalling historical reputation I guess) but these corsets are made from modern materials, give great shape and support, and are unbelievably comfortable to wear.
But one thing that surprises customers the most, is just how many opportunities they get to wear their beloved corsets.Think about it...you could spend £350 on a (mass produced) ball gown..wear it a couple of times...then it will sit in the wardrobe forever. Invest in a corset (ready to wear or made to measure) and in 5 years time you'll still be wearing it! I know because clients from 8+ years ago tell me so!
Wear it to

a ball

a wedding (as guest or bride!)

a date

a restaurant

to dinner with friends

the wine bar with a pair of jeans

Value for money? You work it out! (And guys...NEVER again will she be able to say.."but I've got nothing to wear"!!!)
I am very fortunate that I can put my hand on my heart and say that I love what I do. Being creative is only half the story.Its the people that I meet, both clients and other creatives in conected businesses, that make my life so exciting. Its been an amazing story so far...pop back...I'd like to share it with you!

Gillian x

http://www.gillianwesley.co.uk/

(Photograph by http://www.avonstudios.co.uk/)