First actual post

So yesterday morning, an attempt by our esteemed lecturers to inspire us to work harder saw us sharing our workspace with talented young designer, Nabil El-Nayal. Unfortunately, the quality and beauty of his work that dated from his final year at Manchester Met to his more recent collection for Swarovski, left me (and possibly a few others) feeling a sense  of trepidation towards to the future. 


It is unlikely that the level of work he has produced is down to a commitment to his course and overall goal. Instead, the late nights and lack of sleeping he described illustrate a total submission to his ambitions, something that the term 'commitment' doesn't begin to describe. This is evident in the authority he has achieved in such a short space of time: since completing his MA at the Royal College of Art in 2009, Nabil has had the privilege of designing for Harrods and even Lady Gaga, with River Island begging him to do a collection for them.  


To credit Nabil, it does not seem as if any of these grand accomplishments have left him with a sense of arrogance. After we flicked through his beautiful work he was more than happy to go over some of ours (something we were fairly reluctant to give up). He provided sound advice which was straight to the point and encouragement that really worked.

Although I am currently in my second year at Leeds, we already have and are experiencing what pressure is and what the consequences of poor time-management and lack of enthusiasm for the course can lead to. In a way, what Nabil has accomplished does intimidate me, but more so it inspires me; to achieve something similar.


For me, Nabil's visit was purposeful and eye-opening as an undergraduate in Fashion Design myself. As for him, and his work, it is unsurprising that he has been granted a well deserved eminence in the fashion industry that will only grow in time. 


Some of Nabil's work:


 

For Harrods: