Working On Bespoke Uniform From Home

o bring some cheer during this unusual time of remote working, the Studio 104 team kindly shared what they are currently working on from home along with what personal techniques and aids they have adopted to help them focus.

Jane - CEO & Founder

I am very busy working on the new ‘Studio 104 Made to Order’ range set to launch this summer. I am checking in with our Senior Designer to steer the collection and make it commercial yet contemporary and beautiful at the same time. I am also working on the investigation stage of our latest bespoke uniform venture with Chateau Denmark where I am learning about the site, chasing in references on the interiors and brainstorming with the design team.

Taking an early morning walk sets me up for the day. I am multi-tasking my workload with looking after my three year old, so I take her in a backpack with me on my walk. I tell her what’s on my to do list so she can understand how important mummy’s work is.

Sarah - Chief Operating Officer

Studio 104’s world is continuing on very productively, albeit now working from home, with exciting projects including an evolution of De Beers Jewellers, finalising production for the new NoMad London hotel in Bow Street Covent Garden, and the early stages of Chateau Denmark, a selection of exclusive apartments for music industry figures in the heart of Soho. We are just having to be a little clever in how we would normally go about some of our daily tasks, but have fully embraced all technology available to us.

One tip to keep focused is to make working spaces at home as comfortable and organised as possible and to keep as close as you can to your normal daily routine. Brightening up your working environment with some houseplants is also a really nice idea, and I think the plants like the company too!

Bethan - Product Development Assistant

Keeping sane in isolation for me is finding balance between to exercise and food! I was due to run the hackney half with a friend in May as it has been postponed, we’ve decided to keep (virtually) training together. I’ve also been taking the time to bake new and interesting recipes, like cinnamon and cardamom tart and white chocolate cheese cake. They both help me to focus when I sit down to work.

Ian - Chief Revenue Officer

I’m working on business development, but with a less assertive, more discerning approach. Challenging times like this can actually be a godsend for sales people. Reduced pressure to sell and with focused time to regroup - so I’m commercial planning, database building and researching.

When I’m not ‘working’, I’m tag-teaming the childcare shifts so I’m making good use of the lockdown exercise allocation and going for gentle hour-long strolls with my 3 year old ‘boss’, MOT’ing the lawn, and (post bed-time story) trying to binge watch something on Netflix or squeeze in the odd virtual ‘beer down the pub’ with family or friends on House Party or Zoom.

Sheetal - Senior Commercial Manager

So since I have been working remotely I have been closely monitoring the company health in terms of cashflow and payments, to ensure Studio 104 are in a good position financially over the next 6 months.  The biggest challenge for me has been looking after my 2 little girls, keeping them safe, happy and healthy.  

My older daughter (Lana – 5 years old) has an interest in fashion and has taken a keen interest in my work, which is lovely. She has drawn a lovely picture for a ‘Mystery Client’ and drawn up some uniforms!!

‍Danielle - Head of Design

Since being in lockdown and working from home, I have set up a workspace in our spare room. In all honesty I prefer the light at the dining room table while conducting my design work. I am thankful to be busy working during this time as a mental distraction.

At the weekends as a family we rise early and go for a big walk around East London, during the working week I try to take a twenty minute break and take a walk around De Beauvoir admiring the beautiful properties. I have always loved to cook and bake, and this has given me time to utilise everything in our cupboards thinking of new inventive dishes and sweet treats.

Emma - Production coordinator/Product Developer

I’m working away on production, keeping things moving. I’ve set up a nice office space in my living room, which helps. Been drinking lots of water and cooking in the evenings helping to pass the time. I have so many cookbooks that I’ve just started going through for recipes.

I’ve done a huge amount of housework but I did do a big clear out of clothing and contacted breast cancer awareness who collected the bags last week. I booked on I clothes, link below, it allows you to choose which charity you would like to donate to. https://www.icollectclothes.co.uk/

Ibrahim - Senior Garment Technologist

Over the past week I have been working on Bow Street garments getting all the tech files ready for production, adding comments to file checking the grades and ensuring that vendors are following all aspects of the garment to produce very high quality garments for Studio-104.

While I am working in my home office, my wife is busy making lists for things I can do after work or at the weekend... I have never worked at home before, this is new experience for me. Working at home can be as effective as working in the office, but I am missing everybody.

Stephen - Brand & Marketing Manager

Remembering the 2008 crisis I knew that times like these are ideal moments for marketing departments to go into overdrive. With the likely reduced competitor activity I am using this period to gain the company greater visibility whilst emphasising our ever stronger business credentials.

Being a keen road cyclist I’m taking advantage of the reduced traffic on the road, country rides are the perfect antidote to isolation and certainly helps me focus when I’m back in the office. One great positive is the amount of quality time I get to spend with my son, which I feel very lucky about.

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Written by Stephen @ Studio 104