August 29, 2011 |
FROM THE VAULT (SUMMER 2011)
NAME: Amanda Wakeley.
AGE: 48…
OCCUPATION: fashion designer.
CURRENT EMPLOYER: co-owner of Amanda Wakeley.
FIRST JOB IN FASHION?
“Holiday job in a designer menswear boutique age 14.”
WHAT’S NEW?
“Cleaner, more architectural silhouettes.”
HOW DID YOU GET STARTED?
“In 1990, I returned to the UK after living in America and couldn’t find that easy, understated yet luxurious sportswear that inspired me in America… I was convinced there was a gap in the market… ”
WHAT DOES IT TAKE TO GET TO THE TOP OF THE TREE?
“Creativity, determination, stamina, some lucky breaks and an innate belief in what you do… Not to mention some awesome business advice… ”
DO YOU EVER WEAR YOUR OWN DESIGNS?
“ALL the time. What is the point in being a woman designing for women if you don’t believe in the product enough to wear it?”
WHAT INSPIRES YOU?
“As a designer your eyes are like sponges – you are constantly absorbing and being inspired. It may be photography, it may be a film, it may be a culture but ultimately Amanda Wakeley is all about The Woman.”
FASHION IS…
“A statement of who you are – it should be uplifting and confidence giving and make you happy.”
HOW IMPORTANT ARE HEMLINES?
“That depends on how pretty your legs are.”
CAN YOU MULTITASK?
“I am a woman – need you ask?”
WHAT WOULD YOU LIKE ON YOUR EPITAPH?
“‘She lived life to the full.’”
ARE YOU ONLY AS GOOD AS YOUR LAST COLLECTION?
“To a certain extent… ”
ARE YOU/WERE YOU A JUVENILE DELINQUENT?
“For a while… ”
DO YOU GET JEALOUS OF OTHER DESIGNERS?
“No, life is too short for negative energy.”
HAVE YOU EVER THROWN A DIVA STROP?
“Ask my team – hopefully not.”
HAVE YOU ALWAYS BEEN ALL ABOUT FASHION?
“Definitely. I was raiding the dressing-up box when I was tiny.”
ARE YOU A LEGEND? LEGENDARY?
“Far too modest to describe myself as either… ”
DO YOU HAVE A MENTOR?
“My business partner Hugh Morrison – an awesome individual who I couldn’t do this without.”
WHAT DID YOU HAVE FOR DINNER LAST NIGHT?
“Whatever it was it is always completed with a huge slab of very dark chocolate.”
CAN YOU WRAP YOUR LEGS AROUND YOUR NECK LIKE JANICE DICKINSON?
“Why would I want to?! However, I love to heli-ski and slalom water-ski. There is no point being fit unless you use it for sports you are passionate about.”
WHAT IS GOOD DESIGN?
“That is a personal opinion. For me it is something that is beautifully conceived and crafted.”
DO YOU REMEMBER YOUR FIRST DRESS? SHOW?
“Yes – totally terrifying.”
HOW PRETENTIOUS ARE YOU ON A SCALE OF 1-10?
“That’s for others to judge… Not particularly in my opinion.”
by Natalie Dembinska
Photograph by Maria Ziegelboeck
