Hello: Catherine

A very exciting time for us as we have recently welcomed on board our new Designer, Catherine! Only a few weeks into her role and she’s already tackling some very big creative projects set to release later this year. We can’t wait to share them with you soon, but until then we take 5 to find out a little more about her inspirations and experiences…

Tell us about your role with Hello Molly…

My role as a fashion designer is very exciting and all the creativity that it brings. I work on creating new collections and designs for the Hello Molly brand. The process begins with compiling research and being aware of the next big trends. After gathering all this research, I design the garments and create the specs to send out to get the initial samples, including requesting fabrics and trims.

I enjoy this step of putting together the initial pieces of the garment and seeing the various fabrics as picking different fabrics can change the look of a garment so easily. After the sample arrives, there is a fitting session where any amendments are made. If all is okay with new garment, it is ready to go into production. I enjoy that the role is collaborative as well and getting feedback and hearing what the other creative teammates are working on so as to be on the right track and everything compliments each other.

How did you get into fashion design?

I always knew I wanted to be a designer from early on in high school, so always pushed from there to lead me onto this path. Prior to studying at university, I attended a few short courses to get a better understanding of what it would be like to study fashion.

While at high school I attended a short course at Central Saint Martins (UAL) and another at Kingston University, both in London. On the weekends I did life drawing classes as I was working on my portfolio to get onto a foundation course. I would also go to free fashion shows that would be taking place in the Victoria and Albert Museum and always going to fashion exhibitions to keep learning and continually be inspired.

I went to the London College of Fashion after high school for one year doing a Foundation Art and Design course. There I got to try all areas of design… Womenswear, Menswear, jewellery, textiles and sculpture. I chose Womenswear and went on to study at The University of the Creative Arts in Rochester (UCA) in the UK.

During my degree, I interned for numerous fashion brands both high street and designer level. The tasks varied for each job, from working in warehouses sticking on barcode labels, to creating mood boards, hand sewing and working at clothes trade shows. All of it was so beneficial to give me a great understanding of what it means to work in the industry and ultimately to becoming a designer.

I also volunteered backstage as a dresser in my first year at uni. Being backstage gives you such an insight and good perspective of the finer details and how teamwork is so important. It is also exciting being part of that rush and seeing the final stage of the hard work that goes into creating a collection.

My three-year degree at UCA was an amazing place to study, it gave me such a rounded experience of the industry. Especially being taught by designers who presented their own collections at London Fashion Week and other lecturers who worked for fashion brands in the industry. After I graduated I got my first job for a supplier designing for ASOS and other UK brands.

It was the best job to begin with straight out of uni. I learnt so much from my first head designer and the other designer there. It was nice being part of a small team and being a valued member. After 2 years there I went onto to travel for 6 months and then came back to London and settled for 3 years in my next role, which propelled me to further myself as a designer. With the never-ending confidence and support from my head designer I was able to take charge of my role and the accounts I managed. Every job I have had has enabled me to continue to grow as a designer and keep learning and I look forward to continuing to do so here at Hello Molly.

What inspires you?

I love being out and about and seeing what people are wearing. Travel plays a big part in that and seeing cultures come to life with different styling of clothes. I could happily sit in a cafe in a different country and people watch to get inspiration and new ideas.

I love to see how people take trends and turn them into their own unique style. Another thing that inspires me is spending hours in museums and getting lost in an exhibition or just the building itself. I always feel so motivated and excited to design after immersing myself in other forms of creativity.

Finally, I am always checking out Instagram and fashion blogs to be constantly aware of the trends that come from streetstyle looks.

What advice do you have for people trying to break into fashion design?

Try to get as much experience in the fashion industry on all levels and departments so that you so can learn about the industry. Getting different types of experience will help you focus on what you want to specialise in and see how everything operates. Attending short courses is such a good way to see the process of designing and what is expected at university, it’s a very demanding course so getting an early insight prepares you for what is ahead.

Going to exhibitions and fashion shows keeps the passion alive and keeps you learning, fashion always repeats itself so knowing the original sources and the iconic names and seeing their work up close in museums is exciting.

I would also recommend interning, it’s part of the journey to becoming a designer and it is about keeping those contacts along the way and gaining an insight into the process. Doing a variety of jobs is so beneficial, learning everything makes you a better designer and knowing that teamwork is a big part of working in the industry. While interning, attention to detail is key and you learn so much more working hands-on in a job, everything you learn at university can be put into practice. All of those extra activities indicates the passion you have for this career and elevates your knowledge and drive to succeed.

Other pieces of advice include working hard and keeping focused, your dedication given is rewarded with seeing your final collection on the catwalk or women walking down the street and wearing the garments you designed. The pride of that never fades.

Keep pushing for your dream no matter the setbacks. There may be a few as the fashion industry is a demanding. But if you know what you want and you work hard no matter what happens you can definitely do it.

What’s your favourite thing about working at Hello Molly?

To be designing for such a fashionable brand is so amazing! Coming to work and doing what I love to do every day is the dream! I also love being part of such a fun and friendly team.

Everyone here is really supportive and I love the creative buzz in the office. There is always something exciting being planned which makes me strive to be my most creative self especially when surrounded by such talented people.