1. Describe yourself in a sentence.
A fiercely independent and determined creature, full of bubbles but heavily sarcastic!
2. What is the first thing you ever designed?
A chartreuse bustier made from an old t-shirt before I even had breasts to fill it out! (I was obsessed with Madonna, kinda still am, my daughters middle name is Madonna- she’s going to hate me…)
3. How was your label conceived?
I spent 6 years working for Nom*D, which was the best fashion education in the world, I learned so much from Margi, she’s an amazingly talented designer however I had a need for a change so I left to go to art school. My friend suggested I make some jewellery to make some extra cash. I had so much fun, I dropped out of art school to do it full time. It developed into making bags and clothing out of vintage leather jackets…..the uglier jackets the better the outcome too!
4. Describe your labels aesthetic.
Ironic. Functional. Innovative- without being cliché.
5. Tell us about your current collection.
Other peoples junk- is my first solo leather and metal collection. Oversize totes and satchels are reworked from the ugliest of vintage leather jackets. Sleeves are made into purse bags, leathers are distressed, textured, worn in… they already have their own history which is then inherited by the new owner.
Jewellery is solid sterling silver and rose gold, recast from ‘found’ objects, double strung on mixed weights sterling chain, military style hand stamped dog tags add a naive hand made touch to the necklaces. Sterling silver is tarnished for a found treasure feeling.
6. Where do you draw your inspiration from?
Finding potential in the cast off, other people’s junk. Everything can be re-created into an alternate function and can be re-born as something new.
Thinking about how many ways you can wear something always leads to other ideas for me. The people I surround myself with constantly inspire me, being able to bounce ideas around and collaborate with others is continually refreshing.
7. What is the best thing about what you do?
Having people actually like what I’m making! Working my own hours and having the time to develop my own ideas and letting them flow freely without being directed.
8. What are you working on right now?
Getting orders out the door! Finding a bigger studio to work in and talking about the next collections with some talented friends. Company of Strangers aims to involve other creatives in the design process, up coming are collaborations with Anne Mieke Ystma an artist who I’m working with to create the next Company of Strangers jewellery collection. Also there’s the possibility of a limited release leather collection with an old friend. I’ve got so many ideas bubbling away but there aren’t enough hours in the day to follow them all through!!
No comments:
Post a Comment