How did you get into fashion design?
I always knew I wanted to be in the fashion industry so through high school I spent all of my spare time doing work experience at events and magazines, with designers and photographers and stylists. I helped out budding photographers with the fashion side of their portfolios and word spread and I was being requested by other photographers again and again until I was so busy I started charging as a stylist. Networking is probably one of the most important aspects of the industry. I made a lot of contacts with photographers, models, fashion editors, etc so when I decided I wanted to start a label they came in handy. It took a lot of time, research and money finding samplers, manufacturers, fabric and haberdashery suppliers, etc. I put together a collection of samples, shot a campaign and look book, started a website and online store and everything just went from there.
Where have you developed your skills from?
Working as a fashion stylist, work experience everywhere and anywhere that would take me, sewing experience from my mother of course, working with other designers and creative types…
What has been the main challenge been trying to set your label and shop?
Trying to find the funds to finance everything and the time to do everything I want to do. Every part of my income goes straight back into the label and there is always an abundance of things to do and never enough time.
What inspires you?
Magazines, Runways, blogs, nature, architecture, people everywhere, exotic and tropical destinations…
Do you have any advice for starting a label?
Don’t do it for the money or glamour. There is none. Do it for the passion and because you will never be happy unless you are designing clothing and love everything about it. You need a lot of dedication and thick skin so you can take a lot of knock backs and not give up.
Where do you see yourself in five year?
I would like to think by then I will be able to afford RAFW, have a substantial base of national stockists and a growing list of international stockists … and hopefully celebrity clientele. One of my favourite things is spotting people wearing my designs in public – I would love to be able to spot people wearing my designs while on holiday in Europe or America.
