Summary by Jamie Green

As a woman with a "visual flair" and a " love of old costumes and fabrics," Sue Bodinetz of the First Eleven Studio in London enjoys being the "creative bridge" between her clients and the designers she works with. Bodinetz, a former nurse and costume designer who has been a sales representative with First Eleven Studio for twelve years, spoke about her job, the studio, and the effect of fashion on home furnishings.

Sue Bodinetz works for Jenny Freen, who won the Royal Design Award last year, which is equivalent to an Oscar in the film industry. She said that Jenny has a "unique ability to enable designers to realize their ideas in the best way possible," and that it is her job to see that the right clients get to see the designs. She said that in creating a bridge between the client and the designer, the designer is then able to understand what the client wants, and she helps reinforce the spirit of the designs to the client. Bodinetz sat that secrecy is a "very, very important issue" in design because the business is ruthless and extremely competitive. Therefore, only potential clients can see designs. Bodinetz meets with these clients at trade fairs or privately. Private meetings are preferred because the clients don't like their competitors to be aware of what studios they buy from.

The First Eleven Studio is a small studio of just eleven designers, all of whom are "very creative and innovative," according to Bodinetz. The studio initially sold textile designs to the fashion market, but made the transition into home furnishings just five years ago. The portfolio is "very modern", which, Bodinetz said, is unlike most other design studios. First Eleven designs for a wide range of manufacturers and retailers, from the high end like Clarence House to the less expensive K-Mart. Bodinetz said, "We believe that good design should be available to everyone no matter what level of the market or price bracket." Their designs become curtains, upholstery, rugs, bed linens, ceramics, bath towels, shower curtains, and matching soap dishes. Their collection, which includes some antique documents, is "constantly depleted by sales trips and trade fairs, and constantly replenished with new designs."

Bodinetz illustrated the link between fashion and home furnishings with a number of mood boards that she created with these themes: Colour, Ethnic, Metallic, Flower, Vintage/Retro, Checks, Stripe, and Embroidery. She said that historically, it was normal for fashion to influence home and vice versa. However, she noted that clear relationships exist between them at the moment. This is a good indication that the trend will continue in the future since people like to have their personal style reflected in their homes. Therefore, home interiors, fabrics, and furnishings play an important role in the future of fashion.