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FORGET GENERIC HIGH STREET BRANDS – SWANSEA HAS SOME
REMARKABLY TALENTED FASHION DESIGNERS BASED RIGHT HERE.
CHARLOTTE FINAL SPOKE TO THREE OF THEM ABOUT THEIR
CAREERS AND INSPIRATIONS, IN WHAT IS A TOUGH INDUSTRY
TO GET NOTICED IN.
ON HER JOURNEY SO FAR… London – there is a wealth of
“While showing my graduate talent on your own doorstep.
collection at Graduate Fashion
Week in London, the owner of Miss
“Not everyone from my course is
Sixty showed an interest in my
now working in fashion. There is
denim collection and said I could
a handful of us working hard in
work for him. I was gobsmacked
what is a very demanding industry.
and excited. However, my tutor at
One of my best friends is the
the time advised me to build my
womenswear designer for surfwear
portfolio more fi rst.
company Gul. Another has a small
bridal business. A few stayed in
“I moved home to save money and London and are working for bigger
work on new projects. I worked in names, such as Paul Smith and
a small boutique in Swansea and Burberry. It’s great to see how
learned about the business side of others are getting on, although it is
fashion. hard to keep up with everybody’s
hectic lives.”
“Setting up a business never
Helen Rhiannon Gill
crossed my mind before then. The ON THE FUTURE…
Label: Helen Rhiannon
natural journey after university “I would defi nitely consider
was to work for large companies. becoming a concession in a High
Helen Rhiannon Gill launched
But before I knew it, I had sold Street store because it is good
her fashion label Helen
my graduate collection to a small to fi nd new ways of expanding
Rhiannon in March 2005. Since
boutique and I was registered as the brand. You never know what
then, she has designed and
self-employed! opportunities could lead onto
produced dresses for Welsh
bigger things.
opera sensation Katherine
“That sold quickly, proving there
Jenkins, Miss Wales winner
was a market for my designs. This “Success to me means people
Lisa Lazarus and BBC Singer of
led to me launching the Helen choosing to buy my clothes
the World 2009 fi nalist Natalya
Rhiannon label on March 1, 2005.” because they are excited by the
Romaniw.
designs.
ON BEING IN WALES…
Helen fi rst studied fashion in
“In London, I would be one of “Eventually I would like to have
school and completed a fashion
thousands of other designers. my own shop selling my designs
design degree at the University
I enjoy living in Wales and feel along with accessories. Time and
of Westminster. She returned to
I can progress my career here. money will play a big part in when
Swansea after graduating in June
Maybe in the future I will return this happens. Who knows what
2003.
to London but I will have a wealth is around the corner? But it is
of knowledge from my time and exciting to be on the rollercoaster
experiences here. I want to show ride that is being a fashion
people it doesn’t all happen in designer!”
swansealife November 2009 91
PassionForFashion.indd 91 20/10/2009 13:39:51
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