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| Holly working with her team 2 hours before the show |
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| Finishing touches |
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| Matrix like surface pattern design with a signature deco reference |
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| Dressing one of the models .. |
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| Love this dress.....looks like the hem is hot and on fire... |
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| The show in progress |
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| Turquoise suit |
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| Mini PVC print over dress... |
This interview was done in February 12 at London Fashion Week - I got exclusive access back stage where I interviewed Holly and sat 2nd row to see her brilliant show, I am looking forward to seeing her Spring Summer offering in September..........
Holly Fulton Interview
Feb 2012
1) You studied at the RCA –tell me more about your
time there…
I loved my time there, it was a very creative and
formative experience and a welcome introduction to London and the design world.
2.) Is your family background fashion based or
creative ?
My father is a town planner, my mum worked in
publishing then as an architecture librarian
3) You love the 1960s – where does this come from?
My mum kept all her magazines and wardrobe from this
time, I spent a lot of time in my childhood browsing and playing with these
items. the simplicity and strength of the design has always appealed to me.
4) Where do you get your inspiration?
Everywhere, there’s a lot of exciting stuff to see out
there! I love art deco, pop art, aboriginal and outsider art, my collection of
stuff, lots of things down to the people you see in East London .
5) What of your achievements are you most proud of?
Starting my label from scratch and keeping it going
for 7 seasons now. It’s been hard but we are still going!
6) Have you thought of branching out into Home
interiors?
I am always interested in furthering the application
and breadth of products available under my label but am keen to do this at a
manageable and realistic pace-one step at a time for an emerging label makes
sense to me!
7) Where are your clothes made ?
All in London in the UK , its important for me to be
able to monitor that quality of what we are producing in person and keep tabs
on the manufacturing.
8) Where do you see your label in 5 years time?
Hopefully still running! and based in a larger studio
with lots of large windows. I'd like to grow my team in line with this too and
broaden our range of products even further.
9) If PPR or LVMH approached you would you be
interested ?
Never say never although I am keen to keep hold of
what I have built myself from scratch
10) What age group buys your clothes?
A wide range, the feedback I have had is that the
pieces have quite a broad and timeless appeal which is a huge compliment for a
designer.
11) Where are you stocked worldwide?
In around 20 stores internationally- see website for
details
12) China and India are important emerging markets
– are you having
success over there?
China is good for me, I am keen to go there and
broaden awareness of the label. I have no stockists In India currently but
again, am keen to venture into that market.
13) What was the most exciting fashion moment you
have had since last
Season?
Realising the collection just in time, its always
exciting when you see it lined up just before the show and get to see if what
you had visualized in your head has worked.
14) What is your favorite band or music choice at
the moment?
Dizzee Rascal
15) How do you fill your spare time ( if you have
any!)
There is not much to be honest, I love my work and a
lot of time is spent drawing if nothing else! I love a lie in bed, films,
galleries and a good car boot sale.
16) The large signature necklace is an important
part of the Holly Fulton
look, have you been approached by H & M to do a
diffusion line for
them yet? If so would you want to do it?
No, I have not. it is important to choose your
collaborations very carefully and I weigh everything up as and when they come
along. I have no problem doing High Street projects though it’s nice when we
are asked to collaborate, as a lot of stores will borrow heavily from new
designers work, whereas they could collaborate and show the industry more.
17) When did you start including handbags?
I have done handbags since I started with AW09, shoes
I will leave to the professionals for now
18) I see from your past A/W collections that you
do coats, is this proving a success?
Yes very, we have done coats since AW9/10/11
19) Who of your contemporaries in the industry do
you admire most at the
moment ?
I love Sister by Sibling,
they are a great trio of designers and I want to wear all of it at once.
20) What advice would you give to a student
deciding to do an MA in
fashion and starting up their own brand?
Make sure you are ready, you have to be very focused
and prepared to give up what many deem as a normal life to make a label work.
You have to truly love what you do to put in the time and effort required to
get it going and keep it going!
21) Is there anything you would change about London
Fashion Week?
I would make it a bit later, I always need more time!
But I love the frenetic energy and buzz of London so probably best to leave it
as is.
22) What is the best bit of advice you ever had?
In fashion Shows don't matter, sales do. In life treat
others as you would like to be treated yourself.
Copy and Photos Schelay - Please credit
