KATIE NEWSAM
Katie Newsam the astonishing talented Barnsley lass, talks about her first ever experiences going into the fashion realm, and how everything finally got off the ground.
Mimi: What were your earlier aspirations?
KN: I’ve always been a creative person, art was my main interest at school because I have always gotten good grades I remember my final project at school was fashion illustration that’s when I got interested in designing clothes.
Mimi: What kind of things interested you when you were younger?
KN: I never felt passionately about any other subject but art at school. My mum used to make clothes for me when I was younger, that’s where the interests came from.
Mimi: When did you first realize you wanted a career in fashion?
KN: When I went to Barnsley college to look around the art department, I came across the fashion design sewing room and immediately knew that’s what I wanted to do, everything looked so interesting. I loved the idea of buying fabric and then manufacturing it into something you could wear.
Katie’s clothing line came about as soon as she left university. On a mission to find work in London Katie hounded the pavements with CV’s at hand ready for any work possible. Not hearing any replies back Katie struggled to find places for work in London, until a friend suggested she should apply in a local boutique shop closer to home. “A friend of mine said I should apply so I did, and I heard back from the owner Clare straight away. I took some of my clothes in and she was really impressed and offered me some unpaid work experience there.”
Although not in London Katie was still grateful for the opportunity “After a month of designing in the store I was then offered a job. It’s given me good experience with working with the public and customers; the leather tops and dresses I design at the boutique have been a big hit. I’ve learnt a lot from working there, its made me realize that I would love to have my own business and work for myself, I want to have recognition for my designs and don’t want to be restricted with my ideas.”
Mimi: Did you ever have cold feet about starting your own clothing line?
KN: Just like starting up any business it’s a massive risk but this is the only thing that I enjoy doing and it’s the only thing I can ever see myself doing.
Mimi: What was the most challenging thing about it?
KN: Being able to fund everything is the biggest hold up really, Most of my friends earn money to go out shopping and go on nights out whereas all my money goes towards fabrics and trips to London. It doesn’t bother me though because doing this is what I absolutely love.
Mimi: Are there any regrets about the decisions you made in the past regarding your collections?
KN:I don’t regret things but I sometimes wish money wasn’t an issue because things can always be bigger and better! I’d love to do a couture collection that had no limits
Mimi: Tell me about your designs; what do you try to create. What’s your style?
KN: I try to be versatile I like all styles but mostly love to create more couture pieces, id love to get the opportunity in future to do a really dramatic couture collection with no limits.
Mimi: Where do you see yourself in five years?
KN: Hopefully my label will be successful and in boutiques and shops all over. I’d love to one day have my own shop in London. I really want to make my label work selling more wearable pieces but would love to design for shows too.
Katie’s dreams are to one day finally find a home in London to be able to travel around London freely to meet new inspirational people. Once she’s settled; she then plans to own a successful label and be able to visit the world’s exquisite places of fashion “there’s lots of places I want to visit New York, Paris and Milan. I really want to get celebrities in my clothes and get more recognition.”
When Katie’s not thinking about travelling around the globe, she nestles into her hobbies, which include…. Designing!!! (Doesn’t surprise me at all Katie)
“When I’m not designing clothes for a collection I sometimes get time to make clothes for myself. I enjoy designing and dressmaking so much that, that’s pretty much all I do in my spare time.”
Mimi: What kind of things interests you?
KN: Passionate ambitious people, I love to meet people with the same interests as me.
Mimi: Where do you find your inspiration?
KN: Depends what kind of theme I’m going on for a collection. Inspiration can come from the strangest places.
Mimi: Are there any designers that are inspiring you at the moment?
KN: John Galliano is my all time favorite designer, we were always taught at uni to start ideas big and then water them down to more wearable pieces but I love what he does. He’s such an inspiration.
Mimi: Who would you love to have collaboration with?
KN: I really want to get to work with more photographers, MUA, hairstylist and models. I really want to some over the top creative shoots!
Mimi: What do you hate about the industry?
KN: So far I love everything about It. It’s harder than what people think and not as glamorous at times but love every minute. One photo shoot I worked on was in the middle of winter in the middle of a field on a farm, which was surrounded by poo.
The models were freezing and had to get dressed in the middle of the field while dodging poo for different shots ha-ha
Mimi: What is your current collection about?
KN: I’m currently working on a collection to sell. It’s got a country vibe with a futuristic twist using lots of tweed, wool and leather. I’ve also just found a really cool old military shop that sells buttons and souvenirs id like to work into my collection.
Mimi: What can we expect from your next collection?
KN: Something different but wearable.
THIS IS KATIES COLLECTION OF 'TOXIC' SHOWN AT I HEART FASHION
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