Meet The Team Behind Your Team – Hayley Yates
September 2, 2021 | UK |
In her role as a designer at Kukri Sports Hayley is responsible for the design of multi-sport playing kit and off the shelf products, including training kit, leisurewear and accessories.
What is your background?
Growing up I loved drawing and painting and I always knew I wanted to do something creative in my career. Whilst studying for a degree in Fashion Design at the University of Central Lancashire I was required to do a work placement, which I did at Kukri, I was offered a permanent position when I graduated and the rest is history!
What do you enjoy about working at Kukri?
I love how creative working at Kukri allows me to be and I enjoy each day coming to work knowing I will spend the day designing product.
It’s so exciting to see a product progress from a CAD image on my computer to a physical piece of clothing that people will wear.
The whole process of design and development is fascinating, from fabric selection to pattern cutting, which offers new challenges every day.
What motivates you in work?
My main motivation is seeing how happy people are when competing in the kit I have helped design, it makes me feel really proud to see athletes win medals at the Commonwealth Games or Cricket teams competing on television. It’s rewarding to be involved with each team, bringing their ideas to life and knowing they love the kit I helped design.
What do you enjoy away from work?
Like many people I love to travel, I love learning about new cultures and finding inspiration in the smallest things. I’m very lucky in my role at Kukri that I have been able to visit places like China and Hong Kong.
I also love socialising with friends and family, and love to try new foods when I’m eating out.
Interesting fact about you?
I quite often get mistaken for Luna Lovegood from Harry Potter! I’ve had people take photos with me on the train back from London, airport check in staff ask if I’m her and when I went to The Wizarding World of Harry Potter in Florida I felt like a celebrity with people asking for photos!
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