Dress Designer, Couturier

Career:
Running David Emanuel Couture, since 1990.

Inspiration:
Movies, the stage, photography, art books…and women!

Career introduction:
Wonderful art teachers in school, Mrs. Anne Murphy and Mrs. Margaret Wooding. Also an inspirational lecturer, Miss June Tiley, at the Cardiff College of Art.

Big break:
Many... the Press and Buyers show at the Royal College of Art Degree Show, being chosen by Browns, my first fashion stockist. Also, being given a four page editorial in Vogue magazine within my first year of business.

Highlights:
Designing Lady Diana Spencer’s wedding dress. Publishing my first book, 'Style for All Seasons'. Designing Virgin Atlantic airline’s uniforms.
Being made an Honorary Fellow of the Welsh College of Music and Drama.
Having wonderful clients like Madonna, Martine McCutcheon and Elizabeth Taylor to name but a few!

Lows:
I had my Royal Collection of Art degree clothes, original patterns and fabric, all stolen from my car en route to a factory - 2 weeks before unveiling the collection to the press! With no duplicates, everything had to be re-made against the clock - but, I made it!

Tips from the top:
As I’ve said many times before, it’s 5% glamour, and 95% hard work! Get yourself a good lawyer and accountant. Believe in yourself and your work and NEVER give up.

Additional job experiences:
I’ve worked as a paper boy, at the Italian ice cream parlour in Porthcawl and done 12-hour shifts lagging pipes for William Press in Port Talbot.

I worked for 2 seasons for Sir Hardy Amies, couturier to HM The Queen and also worked for 1 term as job experience, designing for Roland Klein at Marcel Fenez.