My Fashion Internship with bardot: Gaining Hands-On Experience in Design and Production
WORDS BY NFC STUDENT ELISE LICCIARDI
Stepping behind the scenes at Bardot has been an exciting opportunity to experience the fast-paced world of Australian fashion design and production. As a Design and Production Intern, I had the chance to see how creative ideas develop into finished garments while learning from industry professionals and gaining valuable hands-on experience throughout the entire process.
When I was younger, I remember Bardot - particularly Bardot Junior - as a high-quality, fashionable brand with a fun, feminine style. It was a label that all the trendy girls seemed to have filling their wardrobes! So, when I was given the incredible opportunity to interview for a role by NFC’s amazing Careers and Industry Coordinator, Alex Day, I was thrilled to pursue a Design and Production Internship with such a well-loved and iconic Australian fashion brand!
My initial goal was to gain practical experience and deepen my understanding of the design process, fabric selection, and garment development. This internship provided me with invaluable insight into how a brand like Bardot, transforms initial concepts into beautifully finished collections through each stage of the design and production process.
Across the 12 weeks I was interning with Bardot, every week brought new learning experiences and opportunities to develop my skills. The incredibly kind and welcoming team allowed me to work across a variety of departments. I spent time with the Bardot Junior team, photographing garments and updating measurements for their tech packs - something I quickly learnt is an essential part of the product development process and a vital skill within the fashion industry. I also had the opportunity to assist the pattern making and sewing team by cutting fabrics, applying fusing, and organising materials for sample garments. These experiences helped expand my knowledge of fabric handling, garment construction, and the technical processes involved in bringing a designer's vision to life!
There were so many standout moments throughout my internship, but the support and generosity of the Bardot team was undoubtedly the highlight. They welcomed me into their space and generously shared their knowledge, allowing me to experience many different aspects of what makes Bardot such a successful brand.
From learning about manufacturing and design processing to organising upcoming collections for photoshoots and even gaining retail experience in Bardot's outlet store next to the head office, every experience gave me a broader understanding of the fashion industry. It also helped me discover which areas I enjoyed most and which skills I want to continue developing as I pursue a career in fashion.
As my first internship through National Fashion College, I am incredibly grateful for the opportunity to intern with Bardot. This experience has also led to an exciting opportunity where I was offered and have commenced a position as a Retail Assistant at Bardot's new Forest Hill store!
I would highly recommend a Design and Production Internship to any student interested in exploring the many different facets of the fashion industry and gaining a deeper understanding of how a brand like Bardot develops and produces its collections!
Finally, I would like to sincerely thank the entire team at Bardot for being so kind, supportive, and generous with their time and knowledge. Thank you for giving me the opportunity to gain real-world industry experience and learn from such talented professionals!
I would also like to thank National Fashion College for making this incredible internship possible!