MACKI*

I spotted Emma Bell’s Spring/Summer 2008 collection at the SuperSuper show during London Fashion Week in February. Her shiny bubblegum coloured harajuku and kitsch style garments screamed at me in all their glory. The sparkling make up, crazy head dresses and startrek style dresses stood out from the other designers. Emma’s work is now selling internationally, on TV and she has much experience under her belt working with various designers. Here is what she has to say about her fantabulous collection and style influences…

MACKI: You were the highlight of the Super Super show (I think!) How did you make it to London Fashion Week?
EMMA: I had just completed my second collection with footwear brand Irregular Choice when I was approached by Super Super magazine asking me if I would be involved in their showcase at London Fashion Week! And it all went from there really….the burning of the midnight oil, bleeding fingers and chest pains and before I knew it my collection was parading down the catwalk!!! Really exciting!!!

What inspires your eclectic designs?
Ohhh everything and anything….most importantly what I see going on around me from people walking up the street to strange characters I meet in everyday life! The most inspirational things are those that are right in front of you such as the woman who strolls her pink dog past my house every morning mixed in with Russian Fairytales…. cringe worthy stories in real life magazines…. and a lot is also influenced by my travels!

The fabrics you use are amazing! Did you do the illustrations on them?
Fabric selection is one of the most important elements in my work, likewise with hunting down the perfect trims and finishings such as a super special button, or a rainbow-pearlised metallic zip! I recently ventured to China to source some amazing fabrics and in between a Jack Daniels infused evening in a Guangzhou nightclub, seahorses on sticks and fortune-tellers I discovered the most incredible fabrics unlike anything Ive ever seen before in my life! As for all of my prints that are used in my work, the designs are all by me!

Have you done any work placements with other designers?
Yes, whilst I was at University and also on my gap year I got involved with several internships and placements. I spent 2 seasons working with womenswear designer Rebecca Taylor over in New York, which was amazing. It was here where I learnt so much about the industry having been given the opportunity to gain experience in all aspects from pattern cutting to design, to dye matching to print design and also be involved in the run up and duration of New York Fashion Week. I also spent sometime with a member of their team in Japan when I was in Tokyo, which helped me gain a different perspective. I am very interested in surface texture so I spent a period assisting textile designer Donna Lynch which was great!

So you are collaborating with the shoe brand Irregular Choice™? Tell us more about your joint ventures, please!?
I was not long graduated when I joined forces with Irregular Choice who have given me the opportunity to design my own clothing line “Emma Bell for Irregular Choice” with them! My first collection for SS08 is currently becoming available at retail and then my second collection for AW08 was what was shown at London Fashion Week!

Where can we buy some of your fashtastic delights? What is the price range?
All of my collection is available at www.irregularchoicestore.co.uk as well as a selection of boutiques dotted around the UK including Shrinking Violet in Bristol, SKIRT boutique in Newcastle, Drome in Liverpool, Thunderegg Manchester….as well as featured in the Irregular Choice flagship store in New York and Surrealist Love Scene in Singapore! For full listings you can check out www.myspace.com/dollydressup!
The price range is between £45-£110 for my SS08 collection!

I watched an episode of ‘Skins’ last night and saw your yellow picnic top on one of the actors! How did you get your clothes featured on the show?!
It’s very important for me to get my stuff out there and get it seen in the right situations and on the right people! For me, I thought Skins was a vital part of my product placement, so they took the clothes and then they started popping up on the show!

What advice do you have to other design starlets trying to stand out and make it?
I think the most important thing is that you have to really want it….if your heart isn’t totally in it and you’re not prepared to put your whole self into it then its never going to work! Its all about pushing yourself, being 100% dedicated, getting out there networking, gaining as much experience as you can and getting involved in every opportunity that is thrown at you!

What’s your ideal night out?
A lake full of gin, special make up, hot shoes and special friends!

What are your future prospects, are you working on a new collection at the mo?
Yes at the moment I am in the process of designing my SS09 “Emma Bell for Irregular Choice” collection so watch this space for it to be unleashed! At the same time I’m working on getting more stockists on board for my AW08 collection as well as dealing with all of the exciting aftermath of my show! Lots of exciting projects in the pipeline but my lips are sealed!

Please can I borrow the shiny green star-trek-sequel dress?
Oh the “Lederhosen” dress!!! We shall see!

For more Emma Bell: www.myspace.com/dollydressup

For more Macki*: www.macki.co.uk