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 Designer/Milliner
Career:
I left school without O levels to study City
& Guilds Catering and cooked in a restaurant
for 2 years. I then moved to a factory to train
as a welder as the money was better. I was made
redundant and went to evening classes to do
pottery. I was accepted at Croydon College to
do an HND in Ceramics and gained a place at
St Martins to do a BA Ceramics in 3D Design,
where I gained a first class honours degree.
I was then accepted at the Royal College to
do a masters degree. My collections have been
displayed in London, Paris and New York.
The job:
It’s not glamour all the way - it’s hard work!
I do a 17 hour day - if it’s your own business,
you have to put the hours in. As well as the
creative work, there’s also the administrative
and PR side of the job. There are specific times
of the year for research, production and assembling
the new collection.
Big
break:
My big break was doing the accessories for Alexander
McQueen for his Spring/Summer collection. I
didn’t have a fashion background, mine was a
3D background but I knew people in fashion who
saw my work. I went to see Alexander McQueen
with my pieces and he liked them and commissioned
them. I’ve never sold those pieces even though
I’ve been offered £11,000 for them! They are
kept as archive. My favourite was a pink piece
like a big face cage, worn by Stella Tennant.
 Highlight:
The best piece I made was shown at the Heyward
Gallery. It was made from a sheep’s pelvis,
covered in Swarovski crystals. Also, being included in ’Addressing
the century - 100 years of fashion’, an exhibition
which included Matisse, Manray and Dali, was
a wonderful honour. Being chosen as part of
the Royal Mail’s ‘Fabulous Hats’ stamps
was also very special. The set showed four creations
from Britain’s leading milliners to coincide
with Royal Ascot.
Low:
Never having a break and putting in so much
work! Everyone assumes the job is glamorous
but there’s lots of stress. Another low is when
things are lost on shoots. The hats are one-off
pieces and stylists have borrowed them and they
haven’t been returned. My hats are always adored
and then they’re gone!
Tips from the top:
Never be afraid to ask. Be true to yourself
and stick to your guns.
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