Do you work on your own or as part of a team? At present I’m working on my own preparing to take my next step. I have a great support team around me though.
In your earlier years, how did you decide that you eventually wanted to become a designer? I am not a designer that looked through her mothers Vogues when she was a child or fantasized about the world of fashion. I loved art. I was obsessed with the TV progamme ‘changing rooms’ and any DIY programmes. I loved the idea of being able to change things to the way you wanted them. It wasn’t until my 4th year at school that I began to think of clothes in that way. That fact that clothes are such a universal medium of design it fascinated me.
Who is your inspiration? So many people! Rei Kawakubo, Ali Hewson… people with a spirit of change!
The recession has been particularly hard for many young fashion labels, how have you streamlined your business to make it more cost effective? As I have not yet launched my own label commercially this is an issue that interests me hugely. Labels seem to be striping back and rethinking their focus and I think and hope, that the recession has made the consumer reconsider the culture of ‘disposable fashion’. People are becoming more aware of where their clothes are coming from. The only thing I see that the designer can do is focus on quality and originality and lay out their production line for their customer to show them what they are paying for.
What was it like to win the Mittelmoda fashion award. What does that mean to you? It was just fantastic to get recognition from such incredible influential people within the industry and it has given me the perfect platform to begin my career.
As part of your prize, you were given the opportunity to show at Milan fashion week - what was that like? It was amazing to have my work seen in that context. To have people like Anna Dello Russo (Director at large of Vogue Japan) viewing my collection was surreal.
Many of your garments have a modern/edgy feel to them - how did this unique look come about? I investigate- I treat what I do as product development so the investigative stage of making a collection is crucial. I take a subject, whether it’s conceptual or physical, an idea or a feeling that eventually evolves into clothes to be worn.
It is usually the accumulation of many different sources that come together to create a cohesive aesthetic.
When you create something, what goes through your mind? I get into a zone, my own world- I thrive on that excitement when you feel like you’re on the right track, when you feel like you’re onto something new.
Does the preparation of a season's collection take time? Yes- everything takes time and the thing is with any creative field is that there is no end to what you can do. It’s an ongoing process. With a collection I don’t feel like I’m ever finished you just have to know when to stop- I think there’s always more I could say and that’s why you do another season.
How do you intend women to feel when wearing Amanda Grogan labelled clothing? Empowered.
What do you have to say to the next generation of fashion designers, particularly for those hoping to follow in your footsteps? My advice would be to know what you’re about and know what you’re trying to achieve with a collection. Never compromise your vision but never be afraid to let your ideas evolve into something new.
