Polly Banks

After studying the practical elements of making clothes and pattern cutting my first role was as a a designer and buyer for Passenger, followed by head of press and marketing at Chipie, Stussy, Hysteric Glamour and a Bathing Ape. Then continued as a fashion assistant at The Face magazine.

Recent work has included ad campaigns for Kentucky Fried Chicken, Zara, Honda & Nokia and video’s for Roisin Murphy and The Fat White Family, all involved costume making. 

My skill set includes dressmaking, pattern cutting, image research, drawing, art, history and costume design and I’ve lots of experience on set and working with small and large teams.  

My images have been featured in Paul Gormans book, “The story of The Face’ and the 2015 publication Love X Style X Life by Garance Dore and the British Fashion Councils exhibition and bold “Look At Me’

Styling work and photography projects have also been seen in the exhibition North, Identity, Fashion at the open Eye Gallery and in the Victoria & Albert Museum show Imperfect Beauty and Tokyo Jam at The Barbican.

I have over 30 years of experience in the fashion industry, I’ve gone from pattern cutting, sample making, marketing, PR to commercial and editorial styling. I’ve worked on global ad campaigns and  contributed to various titles including The Face, Vogue, Vogue Bambino, Milk Magazine, Kidswear, ETMagazine, Little London, Smallish, Vanity Fair, GQ, Mensfile, The Sunday Telegraph magazine, The Sunday Times, The Observer, The Guardian, Tank and Arena Homme Plus. 

I have a HND in fashion design and pattern cutting