Vibrant!! Feminine!! and definitely original Sophia Brown is bringing something fresh to the world of Fashion, with her Bespoke designs sure to catch the eye of any fashion conscious girl.
I caught up with Sophia Brown where she shared a few insights on what makes her clothes stand out and which Celeb she’d love to makeover.
What age did you start designing?
I started when I was about nine or ten, I would design clothes for different seasons one for summer then winter and it just grew from there.
Where do you get your inspiration from?
I’m inspired by anything, I’m very into sparkly beads, texture and embroidery and I love lace. My style is very girly and cute anything with fifties, sixties influence I’ll be all over that!!
What inspired you to start designing clothes?
I’ve always liked clothes since I was little, my neighbour gave me…remember those fashion wheels from back in the day…yeah since then I’ve always been in love with fashion. What made me want to start my own label was, I was turning thirty this year and I thought I have to do it now, it was a good time for me I haven’t got any responsibilities I still live at home, so if it doesn’t work out at least I’ve tried. So I quit my job in March and I went travelling and came back in July and I’ve been working on it ever since.
Did you study fashion at school or did you do an apprenticeship?
I studied at the London College of Fashion, I graduated from the Surrey Institute of Art and Design, after University I went to work for two prominent bridal designers; I worked for two years with The Wedding Portfolio and then I worked with an African designer called Kosibah Creations. Their creations ranged from £2000.00 to £5000.00 upwards so they taught me the great importance of being precise and that your designs had to be perfect if you were going to charge top price, that’s where I learnt to make clothes, do beading and make corsets. After that I was a product designer designing bags and belts for Top Shop and Miss Selfridge, then I moved on to designing trousers for Tesco and my last job was a Marketing job for Tesco.
You mentioned working for a bridal designer. Do you design bridal wear?
Yes, I make wedding dresses, corsets and I also make bridal accessories such as tiaras.
Do you still see a demand for that uniquely made dress rather than one bought off the rack?
Yes, definitely I think every girl wants to look beautiful on their wedding day; everyone wants a dress that will make everyone gasp – in a good way – as soon as the bride walks down the aisle. There is definitely a market for that uniquely designed dress.
How do you go about choosing your particular style?
I have so many different ideas but I’ll have a rough idea of what I want ,I’ll think of how a design looks on somebody and then I’ll start but I’m quite funny because I’ll start designing something and get inspiration along the way that by the time I’ve made it up it looks completely different to what I’ve designed.
Have you showcased any of your designs?
Not yet I’ve just finished my collection. I have had a preliminary photo shoot so you’ll be able to see those on my web page soon.
What makes your clothing range stand out?
They are well made, cute, different and made to measure. So they will fit PERFECTLY!! And they are ONE OF A KIND!!
What kind of people is your clothing range aimed at?
People between the age of twenty five to thirty five professional women and women who like to have fun at the weekend more aimed at functions than clubbing. They are sexy in an elegant way; you’ll be showing at least one element of skin with plenty of room to show off your legs.
If you could design an outfit for anyone in the world who would it be?
Hummm…anyone in the world… it would have to be Halle Berry; I think she’s got such a lovely figure and a beautiful face. I think my clothes would look amazing on her.
I also like Cheryl Cole, I think she’s got amazing style and I think anything looks great on her, and she could pull of any look.
Take me through the process of how your chosen design comes together from an idea to reality?
I look at the fabric first, if I find a fabric that I like I think ohh!! What can I make with that, and then I play around with it on my stand I may put beads on it or lace to see how it would look or pin it up and then I’ll start making patterns for it sewing it up add sleeves or make the neck line shorter or line it with a cool fabric, but fabric is first.
So how do you want people to feel when they wear a Sophia Brown design?
I want them to feel amazing, and be amazed at how good they look, to think “I never knew I looked that good”
What’s your ultimate goal for your clothing line?
My ultimate goal is for everybody to know who I am and for every woman to own a Sophia Brown London dress.
What advice would you give to any up and coming designers?
My advice would be never doubt yourself, to keep pushing, to know your personal style and just be you don’t copy anyone else because people will appreciate your work and unique style.
What do you do in your free time?
I’m always going places keeping an eye out for fashion ideas, but I love to socialise with my friends.
If you were not a fashion designer what would you be?
I would be a vet.
Sophia Brown can be contacted via www.sophiabrownlondon.co.uk
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