Where do you get your inspiration from for SS09 and AW09?
Well, both are very similar, because I was working on both at the same time, but that's more kind of based on the art deco, but what I'm looking into now is the Elizabethan England, and my next collection, you know it's all the same style like nipped in waists and concentrating on shape and creating interesting silhouettes and things but it's going to have that like Tudor twist to it, you know jewel colours and corseted styles, really sexed up and high-fashion.
Are you planning to show in London Fashion Week next month?
Yes, I'll definitely be doing a show, I have actually been to a meeting about that on Monday, so I'm not going to say too much more, because I need to sign this piece of paper first! but yes there's definitely going to be a show.
What's going to be the big trends for AW09 do you think?
Well, I don't know, really. There seems to be a lot of, and I think it's because of the recession, but there seems to be a lot of black around and dark colours, so that's not really a good thing is it? It gives me quite a good chance to stand out though, so it should be good for me!
You mentioned working for Giles Deacon before, what was that like?
It was really amazing because I was still studying at the London College of Fashion, and one of my tutors works for him as one of his designers and basically she kind of roped me in to helping out there a little bit and then basically, I said to them 'I'm going to go' because obviously I needed a job to stay in London for the summer, so then they said 'we'll just start paying you then' so I stayed for 18 months. It's quite unheard of getting that kind of job, so I was very happy and I could stay in London too.
Then you went to Paris for a while didn't you...?
Yes, after I graduated I went to Castelbajac, who Giles actually works for as well and I did a project for Madonna and that was really great, but really hard work. I really like Madonna, you know she's always interesting and she does something new each time. I wouldn't say she always gets it right, but I definitely like her.
Tell me all about your Fashion Fringe At Covent Garden experience, why did you decide to go for it?
I did Fashion Fringe really to get the exposure and you get to meet so many big names too, because they run like a mentoring programme as well, so just by being part of it I met all these buyers from Selfridges and they gave us so much mentoring and help in the six months we were doing it, so it's been really good. And even though I didn't win, it's had such a great effect on where I am and what I'm up to now. Meeting Donatella was really really great too, I mean she was a bit scary when I met her, but she's really good and what I like about her is that she is Versace and she's the complete Versace image. She said a quote which I really like: 'It's better that you get a reaction to your work, even if they hate it or they love it, rather than not saying anything at all and thinking it's just alright.'
How long have you wanted to be a designer?
Well, ever since I can remember really. I wanted to be an interior designer and an architect and do something creative and when I was 16, I just remember really not wanting to do my A Levels so I went and did fashion at Cheshire College in Northwich.
You are one of FemaleFirst's One's To Watch for 2009, so what can we expect from you?
Well, my show will hopefully be great, and then I'll be in Paris and I'm going to try and build things up very slowly, you know and focus on what's really right for the brand and so I've got quite a good bit of time to get established. I've had a few more celeb clients that I might be doing some things for, so that's very exciting.
There's a bit of a rumour about your Vauxhall Fashion Scout Grant, can you tell us a little bit about that?
Well, it's basically about Vauxhall who sponsored Christopher Kane and Giles Deacon when they started their businesses and then they set up Vauxhall fashion scout, which is something like London Fashion Week and it's all about new talent and they just created this new award, which I've been offered, so basically it's over three seasons of support and they offer mentoring etc. and the help that they give is absolutely amazing and they just help you with the show, your business, making and sampling the collection and it's really good and a bit like Fashion Fringe in a way, so I'm really lucky.
Well, FemaleFirst wish you lots of luck this year, and don't forget us once you're rich and famous!
No, I won't. Thanks Laura, bye!