I had the wonderful opportunity of interviewing, via email, the talented Natalie B Coleman.
11)
Where
were you born and raised?
London, moved back to Ireland and was raised in the countryside in
Monaghan.
22)
Did
you always have an interest in fashion, or had you any dreams of pursuing a
different profession?
I always loved fashion and the emotion of it but thought I might do
something more academic when I was still at school. It took me a while to
figure out what to do and I still change my mind a lot.
33)
Where
and when did you receive your first job in fashion after completing your
education?
With Three as Four in New York
44)
How
to you get your inspiration? And is there anyone who has inspired you?
From everywhere, I design from my personal life so each collection is
like a diary page. I read a lot and that inspires me and I get a lot of ideas
from art particularly cubism and also films.
55)
What
is the method of your design process?
I write a story first, I have a character or scenario in mind, then I
look at fabrics, sketch and then start working on patterns, toiling, returning
to patterns and then to production.
66)
What
does a typical day in the life of Natalie B Coleman involve?
Every day is different, I travel a lot with work so if I am in the
studio, I am up early, answer emails for a few hours, deal with things like this which there is a
lot of and I can’t reply to all but I try to help out as much as possible. Do any press that has to be done, send out
pieces for pr. Work on designs, sampling etc.
77)
Who
are your designs aimed at?
Strong women who appreciate beautiful fabrics and design that isn't mass produced
88)
How
do you prepare for a fashion event/show?
Send out invites, work on
accessories, model bookings, travel details, appointments with buyers. It
depends on the show.
99)
Having
worked with the likes of THREEASFOUR, Ragna Frodadottir,
and Joanne Hynes, how has your experiences with them impacted your own
knowledge and style of fashion?
I am a very different designer to all of
these but I did learn from each of them.
110) What has been the biggest achievement of your career so far,
according to you?
I have had lots of good things happen and am just pleased to
be still in business and growing.
111) Is there anyone from the past or present whose style or
choice of clothing/colour has impressed or outraged you?
I like Iris Palmer’s style, Dolly Parton, characters from Prisoner
Cell Block H, Edith Beauvoir Beale and her daughter from the documentary ‘Grey
Gardens’, and Francoise Hardy, plus many more.
112) What has been the
funniest or most embarrassing moment in fashion you've witnessed yet?
I have not really come across any that have not had an edge
of painfulness to them as it is normally something of a disaster to a designer
so kinder not to say.
113) Being a womans-wear designer, which male celebrity heart throb
would you like to design an outfit for, and what you they wear?
I am not
interested in doing men’s clothes, I like men in a classic suit.
114) Which fashion week do you prefer and why? London, NYC, Paris,
or Milan?
115) Do you have any predictions for what’s to come in A/W 14?
I don’t follow trends but I am working on lace with latex,
leather, and natural wools.
It really is amazing to get an insight into the mind of a fashion designer; someone who inspires others, keeps ahead of the times, creates such magnificent pieces. Designers really put all their emotion and drive into their collections- that's what makes them so great :) Praise fashion, praise designers!
This has been your Thursday night from me!
XOXO
Freaky Smudge
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