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1) How
long have you been making corsets?
I guess the first proper corset I made was when I was 17 at Art
Collage. At that point I had absolutely no idea what I was doing but
couldn`t afford to buy one. That was a pretty terrible attempt but 18
years later I`ve improved somewhat!.
2) How did you develop your corset making skills?
After Art College I landed a place at London College of Fashion on
a Theatre costume course where I learnt to make them properly but I
still couldn`t really pattern cut. The pattern cutting side really
came from working at House of Harlot under instruction of Robin Archer
who was very generous with his time and teaching skills. Again making
my own outfits was my practice at which point I started working out my
own cutting and construction techniques. There`s no way round it - the
more you make the better they are and finding your way around problems.
3) What made you decide to specialise in corsets?
Hmmm Gone With the Wind!. I`ve loved that film since I was was a
nipper.....my daughter is called Scarlett.
4) Where do you get your inspiration from?
What ever
takes my fancy!. Technicolour movies, Edwardian costume
or I might start with an accessory such as a hat or shoes and they
kinda grow from there.
5) Do
you have any fabrics or techniques that you like working with most?
My techniques are really my own but I guess I love quite modest but
elegant fabrics such as grosgrains. I always seem to choose really
expensive fabrics but then if your going to make a corset surely it
deserves it!.
6) When
designing for bespoke customers what process do you go through?
I try really hard to understand exactly what a customer wants. We
would start with a consultation where I would ask for any visual aids
to understanding what someone likes. Pictures, colours and fabrics and
from there we figure out what would suit the customer. Often the
customer might be self conscious of say their bust or tops of their
arms so we can work at drawing attention to or from certain things. I
then take a full set of measurements so that in the next meeting I can
have a toile made up to check fit. Its at this point we have to
solidify the design choices. Finally its picking up and running off to
wear it!.
7)Who
is your favourite designer and why?
I must admit
that I`m not big on following fashion. I buy a
magazine maybe twice a year!. However when I was at House of Harlot I
worked on a John Galliano show in Paris for Dior which was just the
best experience ever. Hugely exciting and he was so nice I`ve been a
fan ever since. He obviously has a love for theatrics and above all
fun. Clothes should always be fun.
8) What
did you want to be when you were younger?
For good or bad I`m pretty much doing what I always wanted. What a
shame my passion wasn't corporate accounting!.
9) After
a stressful day how do you relax?
Wine please!
10) Lastly
we at Lulu and Lush love cupcakes, what is your naughty treat?
More wine please......
www.misskatie.com
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