“I’m thinking Holly Fulton. She’s just won the ELLE STYLE AWARDS 2010 ‘NEXT YOUNG DESIGNER’ and the Swarovski Emerging Talent Award for Accessories at the British Fashion Awards. She’s shown twice at Fashion East and is being championed by super stylist Sarah Mower,” I announced to my team.
“She’s even had New Gen sponsorship for her new collection during February London Fashion Week and she won the Young Designer of the Year at the Scottish Fashion Awards.”
“Ooh yes, she’d be a good one to interview, I like her,” said Ethel trying to sound knowledgeable and enthusiastic.
“ Colin McDowell described her as the next Jean Muir (that Scottish bird who designed in the 60’s) and her RCA graduate collection was described as plastic fantastic by the Guardian newspaper no less,” I continued.
“We’ll you don’t get much more fantastic than that,” chirped Doris.
“That’s what I thought, until this last collection when she’d Swarovski’d it up. I tell you she’s gone to another level, we’re talking hard core, you know the score, luxury here Doris.”
“Ooh, a luuuuuuve a little luxury I do,” said Doris slurping gin out of her LV hip flask.
Maude: How did you first get interested in fashion and how did you go about
starting your career?
Holly: I fast-tracked into art after thinking I was going to be a vet then realizing I was far too sentimental for that game. I’d always enjoyed what I like to think was an edgy relationship with fashion and after my art foundation course went on to a fashion degree, a postgrad diploma, teaching, working as antique jeweller, Australia, my own accessories line and work with Queene and Belle were in the mix for the following 5 years till I did my MA at the RCA and graduated in 2007. Throw in Lanvin, Swarovski and Fashion East and you find me where I am today.
Maude: Are you still plastic fantastic or are you all about being a super Swarovski stylista?
Holly: I’m a bit in love with the crystal just now and think that our sparkly relationship is set to continue for next season. My love of the graphic may reach its pinnacle and will probably involve my best friends, Perspex and plastic, in some form but I am quite enamored with digital print too so expect a synthesis of all my favorite materials including some special guest appearances from some new kids on the block including ostrich legs.
Maude: If you could dress and style Maude in anything what would it be?
Holly: A digitally printed silk velvet oversized jacket worn over a crystal skyscraper dress with the top of the Chrysler building picked out in Perspex. A double set of matching black and white bracelets on each wrist and a Baker building necklace with blue stones. She’s that kind of gal.
Maude: You’ve been compared to Jean Muir. How has your work with her archive affected your thinking and could you tell us how that came about?
Holly: I got access to her archive of over 18,000 pieces through my work with the National Museums of Scotland. I’ve taught at Edinburgh College of Art and when a collaborative project was suggested, I jumped at the chance. I’ve never had such an insight into another designer’s way of thinking and working and it made me look closely at my own ethos and method. I love that she was a ridiculous perfectionist and always had such a neat bob and red lips. I also like that she was a super strong lady designer who just knew her aesthetic – she did similar work for years but it was her trademark and it worked.
Maude: Where do you see yourself in 5-10 years time?
Holly: Salmon fishing in the Highlands with a spot of designing in my spare time. But in the meantime I’d love to be able to always show my own small collection of womenswear and jewellery whilst collaborating and designing embellishment and accessories for bigger houses. I love working with people who share your enthusiasm, especially if they appreciate how long it takes to sew all that shit on.
Maude: How has your work with labels such as Lanvin affected your design process and aesthetic?
Holly: It has probably made me tone my work down-I learned a lot about having high quality simple pieces in the mix with more extreme things. Before, I was mad to get all my ideas out in the collection. Now I know maybe it’s ok to save some and edit that line up until it’s as strong as it can be, even if means losing half of what you’ve made. I know that that is where I want my work to be and to believe that maybe it can be.
Maude: What advice do you have for young aspiring designers?
Holly: Get some experience first and learn to take compliments with a pinch of salt. And enjoy yourself, you can tell when you look at something if passion has gone into it and you should never lose that energy. Also eat cake, it’s good for you.
Stay in touch with the conversation, subscribe to the RSS feed for comments on this post.
Continuing the Discussion