The Sewing Room: The Sewing Room Owner - Jennifer Serr - My Jobs In Fashion

For something a little different, today's video will be all about my job history prior to owning The Sewing Room. Starting from childhood, I've always loved clothes and fashion and learned how to sew with a machine when I was seven. My first paid sewing jobs were making prom dresses for my friends, which I absolutely loved. After high school I went to fashion school to learn the fundamentals of Fashion Design and earned an AA degree.
Ever the entrepreneurial spirit, I started a millinery business at nineteen, while working part time in retail and cafes. That lasted a year or so before I realized that I had to pay self employment taxes. Yikes. Life lesson. And there is something to be said about health care and a steady paycheck.
With great luck, I landed a position in the technical design department at Gap Inc. where I learned so much. By attending multiple fittings a week, communicating with factories, merchandisers and designers as well as being a team member really prepared me for my next steps. This job showed me how to be professional. It took over 10 years to really make that happen, but it did. There is nothing like working in the corporate world.
After leaving Gap, to pursue my dream of designing wedding gowns, I continued to freelance as both a pattern maker and fashion instructor while building my business. Life happened and I had a baby, which changed the course of my career. During this time, I pursued my creativity, trying out both teaching children how to sew while also creating home goods from recycled materials.
The teaching eventually won out, when I started instructing 8 year old Maya, who turned out to be a bit of a fashion prodigy. She had friends who wanted to learn how to sew who had friends etc, until I found myself organizing Summer Fashion Camps. That business has been growing now for over 12 years and I'm happy to say that it's my favorite job to date.
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Thanks so much and Happy Fashion!
xo
Jennifer

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Your grandmother sounds fabulous. You inherited her poise, charm and beauty. My Grandmother worked at Capwells. I know you remember those amazing Christmas displays, right? Never equalled... She was a beauty (reminiscent of Sophia Loren. Grandpaw LOVED it & they stayed Married for 65 years) I started sewing when I was around 10 years old. My Mother had a sewing room and learned how to use a fitting bust, patterns & sewing machine techniques. I could go on for hours about how this skill has helped me throughout life... Today, I am a building Contractor. lol Alas, I am so out of practice with sewing and been meaning to take lessons at your studio or perhaps just renting a station for a few hours to review & re-learn. Your wedding dress is wonderful. And your recreation of Mom/Daughter wedding dresses are very well inspired. Thanks for the description of classes available 7 days a week? WOW! I must get over there... I'll be the guy who looks entirely out of place. lol