July 09, 2010
fashion designer marnie skillings
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It's dangerous interviewing fashion designers. Looking over their work I start to make a mental checklist of pieces to buy, such as jackets number 2 and 3, pictured above. I've actually already got a something similar by Marnie Skillings that I love. It's denim but well tailored and unlike anything I've bought since a Paul Smith coat from years ago. This emphasis on the cut of clothes (as well as the use of fabrics) is why Marnie has made such a mark on Australian fashion. She studied the esteemed fashion course at East Sydney Technical College and has gone from strength to strength since debuting her label in 2000 at Australian Fashion Week.
What was your first job and what path have you taken since? Scooping icecream at 16… since then I have studied fine arts, then fashion and started my own label which I have been running for 10 years! Phew... where does the time go!
What’s the best lesson you’ve learnt along the way? Try to look at things from perspectives other than your own... and patience.
What’s your proudest career achievement? Staying true to what I set out to do.
What’s been your best decision? Large skim latte with one sugar!! (hey, it's my daily savoir).
Who inspires you? My husband Emil Vrisakis, creative director of Bashful.
What are you passionate about? Life, fun and creative freedom.
Which person, living or dead, would you most like to meet? Diane Arbus.
What dream do you still want to fulfil? A balance between success in business and having a lovely family.
What are you reading? The Children’s Book by A.S Byatt.
images courtesy of marnie skillings