Andrea Martín, effort and professional curiosity

Andrea Martín and design: a passion capable of combining studies and internships.

​IADE: How did you get to know IADE, and what encouraged you to study with us?
​Andrea Martín: I met IADE while I was doing an internship at Yo Dona magazine. My internship partner was also interested in studying the degree, and she spoke very highly of the school. Months later, after comparing and evaluating other centers that taught fashion design, we both decided to enroll and share the same academic year together.
Personally, what made me decide to study at IADE were the recommendations of acquaintances, the location of the center and the experience of the faculty.

​I: How was your experience at IADE?
​A.M: I have fond memories of my time at the school. I entered at the age of 20 and without having much idea of some subjects, so at the beginning I remember feeling quite lost. But, with the help of the teachers, I finished the first course motivated and eager to continue learning. And so every year, enjoying every subject.

The best thing about studying fashion is that, as you go through the course, the subjects become more interesting so you enjoy twice as much with each work. I learned and experienced all kinds of feelings: joy, laughter, tears, anxiety... but always very positive.

My dream is to continue learning and growing professionally.

Andrea Martín

​I: What was your dream when you entered the school? Did it change throughout the career?
A​.M: When I decided to study fashion design, my plans were to continue my education while combining it with editorial styling, which was what I was focused on at the time. But it was once inside, when I was studying and doing different jobs in design companies, when I decided to make a change and dedicate myself to the creative and technical side of fashion. I could say that, to this day, I have been fulfilling the goals I have set for myself: I have worked as a stylist, in the production and purchasing department, and now as a designer, which is what I like the most.
My dream is to continue learning and growing professionally.

​IADE: What did you do after finishing your studies with us and before starting your work as a designer in Newness?
​Andrea Martín: The same summer I finished my degree, I started working as a designer in a company that is specially dedicated to licensing (Disney, HBO, Warner, Marvel, Fox ...) for department stores like Springfield, Pimkie, Carrefour, Hipercor, E. Leclerc ... We also made private label collections, but the licensing part was its strong point.

And now, Newness

​IADE: What is a day like at Newness? Do the days develop as tasks arise or do you follow a structure?
​Andrea Martín: In my current company, we work in what is called slow fashion, so the rhythms are more gentle. This type of fashion is quite flexible, since the volumes and times are different. Based on production and delivery dates, we each manage our own collections and our own times. On the other hand, the world of fast fashion is much more accelerated: delivery times are shorter, so there is not much time to "stop".

Working methods: designing in one firm vs. for different clients.

IADE: Going into more detail, when you work for many different firms, how do you carry out the designs? Do the firms give you a brief brief from which you start to create a proposal?
Andrea Martín: When you work for several clients, the most important thing before starting to make any design is to investigate and study the type of market, the age target to which each brand is directed and ask yourself: What is the person who buys in those surfaces looking for?
Normally, when a client sends us an order, he usually sends us what is called a briefing, and based on that, we develop different proposals for graphics, patterns, colors and techniques.

However, when it comes to a company that manufactures its own collections, it is simpler: There is only one style and you have to be faithful to it. We create the designs with the help of trend pages that keep us up to date with what's new in consumption, lifestyle, garments, materials...

Perspective of the future, according to Andrea Martín

​IADE: Is teleworking possible in your profession?
​Andrea Martín: It depends a lot on the facilities and the responsibility that the company gives you, but if you can, it is possible! There are many applications that facilitate this type of situation and with which you can work remotely.

​I: Personally, do you think that as a result of the current circumstances, new challenges will arise for your profession? How do you think or believe they should be addressed?
A​.M: Now more than ever, fashion and the world is changing at an unprecedented pace. Our industry is going to have to adapt to "the new reality" that demands flexibility and creativity. We will be designing for a new type of consumer, so it is essential to understand what the customer will want to buy in the short, medium and long term. I believe that, among many other factors, the challenge is to face the fact that the future is going to come faster than we think and therefore we must anticipate it.

What is to come

​IADE: Do you have any personal projects in the pipeline?
​Andrea Martín: This confinement has given me a lot to think and dream about. I've had a project idea in my head for some time that I would like to launch in the future, but for that, I want to be sure and rethink the situation and what it means to start something.
As I am now focused on my work, I am not in a hurry to carry it out.

​I: What advice would you give to our fashion students?
A​.M: Work hard and enjoy at the same time. As a personal experience, I think it's important to combine your career with an internship or a job related to what you are studying. It is very demanding - you don't have the same time as the rest of your classmates - but, on a personal and professional level, it is interesting to see and learn how companies work from the inside and prepare yourself for what will be your job in the future.

​I: Would you like to come to the School in the future to share your experience with our fashion diploma and master's students?​
​A.M: It would be very cool! I would really like to share my experiences with IADE students and help them in their orientation.