Interning at Luxury Fashion House Viktor Rolf

After leaving Ashford in 2016, Jesse O’Shaughnessy undertook a Foundation Course in Fashion at Central Saint Martins, and is currently studying Fashion Design at the University of Westminster, during which she has been lucky enough to work on the Viktor&Rolf – Haute Couture 2020 Paris collection.

Viktor&Rolf is the avant-garde luxury fashion house founded in 1993 by Dutch designers Viktor Horsting and Rolf Snoeren after their graduation from the Arnhem Academy of Art and Design. Widely recognized and respected for its provocative haute couture and conceptual glamour, the house of Viktor&Rolf aspires to create spectacular beauty and unexpected elegance through an unconventional approach to fashion.

Staging signature collections for over twenty years during Paris Fashion Week – ever since the first haute couture collection in Spring/Summer 1998 – Viktor&Rolf creations evoke a provocative spirit infused with surreal contrasts. Jesse wrote in to tell us about her experience as an Atelier Intern:

“For 5 months, I have been an Atelier Intern at the internationally known couture house Viktor and Rolf.  

Learning how to crochet, develop the handwork patterns and create the final textiles was an experience I felt honoured to be a part of. I was trusted to assist stitching the final garments that were exhibited in the Paris Couture show which meant attention to detail was a must at all times. The team I worked alongside was the most organised and humble group of people, always willing to teach. Looking at the ‘Patchworks’ SS20 show that we created makes me feel extremely proud of the teamwork behind this beauty.  

I am so grateful to have been given this opportunity and will treasure the memories of the time spent in the Amsterdam and Paris studios for life.” 

We’re looking forward to hearing more from Jesse as her Fashion Career progresses.