StyleNest caught up with one of Britain’s most loved young fashion designers, Holly Fulton.
Edinburgh native, Holly Fulton earned her fashion colours at the renowned Edinburgh College of Art and later, The Royal College of Art. Fulton went on to become one of Britain’s brightest young design talents, winning numerous accolades from Scottish Young Designer of the Year to the coveted Swarovki Emerging Talent Award for Accessories at the British Fashion Awards 2009, as well as funding and support through the NEWGEN initiative.
Success has continued and the fashion industry continues to love Fulton for what she does best – gloriously geometric shapes combined with sharp contours and vivid digital prints. Her love of retro, most obviously art deco, is prominent but executed in an entirely modern way. So, to celebrate London Fashion Week fast approaching, we caught up with Holly Futon to see how everything’s going before her SS13 collection takes to the catwalk.
How is everything going on the run up to London Fashion Week?
There’s always a nervous tension while you wait for the materials, prints, etc to arrive and wonder what you will do if they don’t arrive in time. I’m getting a touch more used to it now but it’s not really in my nature to be so last minute and it’s hard to relinquish control to other parties. I have a great team though, and the excitement and dedication is inspiring to be around.
So many brilliant designers start their careers in London. What is it about the city that nurtures talent so well?
I think London is very open to new creative angles and really nurtures and encourages difference. There is an amazing network of funding and support for new designers here that I don’t think is rivaled anywhere else in the world.
What others shows on the LFW schedule would you love to see?
I love seeing what Christopher Kane does each season; he sticks to his theme with such conviction each time, it truly excites me to see his show. I love seeing the newer designers too who are coming up through NEWGEN like I did. It’s lovely to remember how you felt when starting out and feel yourself in their shoes again.
We’re huge fans of your vibrant, graphic prints. Can we expect to see more in the new collection?
There are a few differences in SS13 but it’s still heavily reliant on a strong visual, but with more use of surface involved. Spring Summer is my favourite season as it’s more in line with use of colour and you can inject a youthfulness there. It’s based on two important things that happened to me in 2012; I went to LA for the first time and I met Will.i.am. Let your mind boggle and watch this space.
Have you got any plans for collaborations coming up in 2013?
I have a few things in the pipeline but like to play my cards close to my chest on that front, I’d hate to ruin the surprise. I am keen to work in areas outside my current field though and will hopefully make some inroads in to that.
Where do you love to eat during London Fashion Week?
We eat a lot of falafel. We are lucky enough to be situated opposite two sensational East End shops and frequently sample their wares in the late night sessions.
Describe your survival guide for LFW?
I need cappuccinos, litres of still and sparkling water, ibuprofen, rescue remedy, Sauvignon Blanc, 90% dark chocolate, a supportive and tolerant team, my Blackberry and my mum on the other end of it for sporadic pep talks.
Will you be hitting the LFW parties?
I tend to hit the bed hard after the show as we do a lot of late nights and usually climax in a full 48 hour finish. As my show is earlier in the schedule this time, there will be time to indulge in some fashion week revelry I hope.
Out of all your collections, is there a favourite piece you’re particularly proud of?
I loved my SS10 collection, I felt like I had finally found my feet then and that’s the first time I started working with print. I particularly love the first outfit from that show – it summed up my style and ethos and set the precedent for the label’s visual aesthetic. I love the combination of black and white, it’s the strongest graphic you can get and this outfit was the pinnacle of my use of monochrome. At that time I was hand drawing all the prints to scale and creating full scale coloured versions of them which was rather naïve of me, but it was a start. It seems so ridiculous now in reflection, but it was a fundamental beginning and set the tone for my use of hand-detailed, placement print and embellishment.
How will you relax when the show’s over?
The next day I lie in outrageously, probably all day, and am spoilt by my boyfriend. Glamourously, we usually have a good old-fashioned pie and chips and I indulge in my other pleasure, daytime antiques shows. I like to see my family while they are down too and catch up with everyone’s news that I’ve been oblivious to over the previous weeks. And at some point I have a huge hot bath, sip Sancerre and reflect.