Day in the life: an eyewear designer
Joann Pearson works in the fashion industry, specifically eyewear, as an associate product design and development manager. Born and bred in Hong Kong, she followed her passion for fashion, and now resides in London.
How did you get into this industry?
I dropped out of school at 18 and got my first job as an office administrator at an eyewear company in Hong Kong. And didn’t look back!
What does a typical day look like for you?
On a typical day I would start with speaking with the Far East team early in the morning. This is then followed by video calls with my UK colleagues. I then spend the rest of the day working through urgent emails, tech-drawings, trend reports, and then a late afternoon video call with US colleagues.
What was the best aspect of your job or what you enjoy most?
The best part of my job is when I get to work on a new collection, a year ahead, from scratch. This means working on the initial concept, developing ideas, colours, reviewing design drawings, selecting materials and finally seeing the final products arriving into shops.
What was the most challenging thing about your job?
The most difficult part of my job is when we encounter unexpected issues during sampling and production stages. At this stage, there are a lot of small details that need addressing. At the same time as managing a large number of licences as well as our client expectations.
What was the biggest obstacle which you have had to tackle?
A frequent obstacle which I have encountered in my job is periods of high workload. At these times, I have to manage multiple streams of work with very strict deadlines and this can be really challenging.
What was the best career advice you received?
Think before you speak!
What three qualities do you think are critical for succeeding in your sector?
Positive attitude
Enthusiasm for fashion
Ability to work under pressure when handling multiple projects
What advice would you give other young women interested in similar roles or working in this sector?
Consider starting in a junior role and you’ll develop loads of knowledge and skills, particularly as you will be liaising with different departments and learning more about how the industry works. And do not shy from hard work!
What do you do to switch off?
Take my dog Bowie for a walk in the park and have a glass of wine after work.