| CHARLOTTE TAYLOR is an animal print extraordinaire. |
| Written by Sacha Young | |||||||
| Tuesday, 07 June 2011 10:00 | |||||||
And you call yourself an animal lover? I don't think anyone can compete with emerging fashion designer CHARLOTTE TAYLOR who has inspired many with her delightful animal silhouettes, on soft silky pieces. The adventurous designer took a trip to Kenya last year, which in turn inspired and influenced her last Autumn/Winter 2010-2011 collection. I particularly fell in love with this collection for the exceptionally simple use of printed silhouettes of animals - such as penguins, crabs and elephants, in stunningly striking hues. Charlotte Taylor may be an unknown name on this side of the world, but the Central Saint Martins educated and former employer of Luella is far from anonymous. The designer has had notable media attention and has been named 'one to watch' by Vauxhall Fashion Scouts and has been covered by Vogue UK, Nylon magazine and many more. Coup De Main got the chance to ask Charlotte a few questions about her self-titled label 'Charlotte Taylor', her inspiration, and much more...
COUP DE MAIN: How did 'Charlotte Taylor' the label form? Who inspired/influenced you to start designing? CHARLOTTE TAYLOR: The label formed after I left Luella two years ago. I moved back home and set up a studio and off I went! No-one ever really inspired me to start designing. I was a painter from an early age so for as long as I can remember I have been designing something-or-other. CDM: What is the best thing about being a designer? CHARLOTTE TAYLOR: I saw someone in the street the other day wearing one of my jackets. That was an amazing moment. That has always been a dream.
CDM: Tell me a little bit about your creative process when designing a range... CHARLOTTE TAYLOR: Okay, so I pick up interests over time as anyone does. This season it's Japanese nail art and tattooing, Fishing and Honey Bees. They all tend to be random, but I research them and then put everything together on a big mood-board. I then sit on a chair in front of them and design... it really works for me. Once I have played with lots of ideas on paper I start to use fabric and play with shapes on a mannequin. things are constantly changing within the collection and I am quite brutal with stuff, a lot doesn't make it! CDM: I was immediately drawn into your exquisite prints, what sparked the idea for your last collection's print silhouettes? CHARLOTTE TAYLOR: All the prints were inspired by a trip to Kenya last year. The colours, textures and animals out there, were stunning.
CDM: Tell us your favourite memory that has come from creating 'Charlotte Taylor'? CHARLOTTE TAYLOR: Packing up the car at 5AM at the beginning of London Fashion Week February 2010 - my first fashion week - and my dad seeing me off. The car was completely packed and the whole family had been helping me prepare for weeks. Dad got tearful and gave me a huge bear hug and told me how proud he was of me. It was a lovely, lovely moment. CDM: What's the best advice you've ever been given? CHARLOTTE TAYLOR: Take things slowly and don't run before you can walk. CDM: What is one thing you can't live without? CHARLOTTE TAYLOR: Tea.
CDM: Have you got any fashion tips for our Coup De Main readers? CHARLOTTE TAYLOR: Wear what makes you happy. CDM: Start-off the following sentence: Life... is what I live for.
HEART LISTENING: Etta James. HEART WATCHING: 'Britain's Got Talent' (bad I know). HEART READING: Khaled Hosseini, Jeffrey Archer, and Wilber Smith HEART OF THE WEEK: My new Emerald Green lamp from the Village fair on Monday. www.charlottetaylorltd.com |
