I Want To Be... A Fashion Designer!
[ 16 September 2008 ]
My friend Ana Steele is one of the most amazing, intriguing people I’ve ever met. Our paths crossed at a goth-themed photoshoot (yes, really) for Pulp magazine where I was a model & she was the stylist. I was instantly drawn to this mad-looking girl with Tank Girl tattoos, wearing a faux-fur wig! We became fast friends & have shared many fun, bizarre evenings! All of that aside, she’s also an incredibly talented fashion designer. She whips up magnificent pieces with alarming regularity & is always trying something new or different, so she seemed like the ideal person to ask about making it in the fashion world!
Ana says, “I have a cynical disclaimer… It’s ALL TRUE! Do not be scared… I love my job…”
Tell us about what you do.
I am a fashion designer based in Auckland. NZ. I design my new collection every 6 months (Summer/Winter). I am still a ‘one lady’ band. I design, make patterns and samples, do sales trips, take orders, do costings per garment, manage production of orders, write and read countless emails, pay heaps of bills all while trying to stay sane and hopefully make some art and possibly have a life outside my workroom! And feed cat with meat… While I am designing a new collection, I am in production stage of the past season — so essentially, 2 jobs are happening ALL the time! Eek!
How long ago did you start on this path?
I have been in this industry — in some way or another — for almost 9 years! Eek x2!
How long were you doing it before you made it into your career or primary form of income?
I worked as an ‘apprentice’ for a small boutique in their workroom, part-time, for 5 years, learning about garment construction and production on a small scale. Yet did not prepare me at all for what I have gotten myself into now as a ‘producer and wholesaler’ of goods.
Did anything significant happen to get you to that point, or was it a series of small steps?
I entered a competition that was run by a new business searching for young fashion designers. I did well. Out of us 9 section winners, the judges chose 4 to work with the company and develop collections for Winter 2003… We were filmed over 3 months for a documentary screened as a TV2 episode. It was during this process I made wicked friends with fellow designer Michael Pattison, and we have since opened a workroom/retail space together. He is my bestest fiend xx.
Do you think official qualifications are important for someone entering your industry?
Not so much… But, I believe that years of study and determination does bring one an invaluable sense of work ethic — which I have never had. It has taken me 2 years of being in business to finally understand how much effort one must put in to achieve anything significant. And when you work for yourself, it’s never enough… I have started to wake up way too early, thinking about what should have been done yesterday!
What do you think is the best thing about working for yourself?
I am so fortunate I get to do what I want! I can make my art! Dangerous schedule but all hour, any hour!
What’s the worst thing?
I have to do it all by myself and make money somehow in a highly competitive industry… I am not so savvy in ‘business’ and to be an ‘artist in business’ ? Hahahaahahaha (2 worlds collide)... Crashing!
Rate how happy you are with what you do out of 100 (100 being the best, 0 being devastatingly awful) on an average day.
Today = absolute rats. Though still smiling! About 36.
Yesterday = creative funday and my ‘Sunday’ and hung out with a great friend. About 81.
In one month, aka fashion week = 100 fuckin’ percent, 1 minute after the show!
Would you call yourself a workaholic, & if so, are you alright with that? Do you think that’s normal for your industry?
I want to be a workaholic so much! I really need to be… but alas for me, I am a dreamy artist. The fashion designers that I know, who are successful, are total workaholics… Being around them pushes me to get more ‘flashness’ done faster!
What would your number one suggestion be for someone who wants to do what you do?
Don’t! Haha… Gosh man… Seriously think about it. Work in the industry with switched on folk and get an in. Starting up from scratch is so damn hard. Marketing is essential. And one needs some money — at least in NZ. I have to outlay all production costs with no deposit, a massive risk!
...How about number two?
Get a PR company and/or agent. It will be a costly monthly expense to your business, but if no one knows about you, you will make more money on the benefit.
What do you wish you had known when you first started out?
I wish I was born with a twin who is fully functional in all realms of business, who can interpret my wishes… Why does an artist want to care about spreadsheets and invoices?
Hell, I just want to make amazing clothes, draw pictures and spray paint mannequins xxx
Find a sweet, fashion savvy accountant, who you can pay in glorious clothes xxx
Are there any major misconceptions about your job or industry?
I guess that depends on who asks.
My industry looks glamorous from the outside. As explained earlier… ‘Tis not the case. It is a touch lonely, as you are working a lot — especially at the crucial times.
If you like to travel, why not try a sales trip? 2 weeks in a van thing… Totally fun, but do you like trailer parks?
If you enjoy glamour, try a fashion show! You will spend time putting masking tape on the soles of borrowed shoes while shooting a ‘lookbook’ of your designs at the last hour, making appointments, styling the show, not enough ears for phones. There is no time no more… wishing for that overdue holiday… it may not happen! Maybe next year?
What motivates you to keep doing what you’re doing?
My crew.
I have mentioned my workroom space with Michael. He is from Space. My fiend…
We also have the amazing Eunis (our sample machinist), and the ‘flash as Lara’ (Michael’s assistant) burlesque actress beauty.
We sing and dance heaps while ‘enduring’ each others company!
Each month brings a ridiculous new turn of phrase…
This month = SPRING BREAK! it must be exclaimed in THE MOST exuberant fashion one can fathom… We have convinced people from Korea, Amsterdam, China and Grey Lynn that this is a most exciting couple of words to screech at the opportune moment in time.
For example: A friend walks in the door announcing we should take a 10 min coffee hiatus… !!!! SPRING BREAK! !!!! YEA!
Or anything… I just finished my task! ... SPRING BREAK! Depending on the day… Use this information wisely of course. Say it loud + lewd xxx
Super-love & cupcakes,
Gala
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So cool! I love these articles and the common themes that run through them about working for yourself and loving your job and how all-consuming it is. Makes me feel I’m NOT doing it wrong, ‘cause others say what I would say.
This was great! I was hoping you would do fashion designer. I love how honest Ana is. Fantastic interview :)
How about a “I Want To Be”... A Mum!
It would act as either a) informative, or b) as birth control.
Win, win if you ask me! ;)
xx
Great interview. It sounds like a lot of work, but Ana seems to be happy overall.
I’m totally going to start yelling ‘SPRING BREAK!’ when something good happens.
Very informative, Galatron!
Love,
Katie Bird
YES! I’ve been waiting for this one!! Thank you thank you thank you. :)
Thanks for this! I’m going to study fashion when I go to college next year!
I don’t know why, but as I was reading this, i imagined her having a French accent..
I’m diggin her collections though, just had a snoop :)
oooooh, i want to see the goth photoshoot!!!
and i so want to hear and see about your big virgo-bash! i’ve been dying for pictures all weekend and now you and nubby are being all mysterious about it. boohoo.
OMG she’s so cool! Goth photo shoot, I’m intrigued!
Ana’s clothes are amazing, I wish I had the funds to buy something.
Kisses.
Now there’s an eye-opener of an interview.
Matea: I could totally do that one! Ask me anything. ;)
This. Is. Awesome.
Insider advise is the most valuable thing in the world. I’ve just started a job as a fashion wholesaler for a fair trade fashion company and it is the hardest work I’ve ever done. Who said fashion was all glamour and glitz? Behind the scenes it’s 6.30am wake ups, (sometimes) 10 hour work days, people who never answer their phones, tons of emails, dusty warehouses and mega over-time.
But I love it. I really do.
And I’m always thinking about design on the side; I have a dream book of sketches that I fill when I get a chance.
brilliant article! xxx
Her honesty is tops…I loved the disclaimer!
Oooh yes! This is the one I’ve been waiting for! =D
I’m 18 and I’m working hard studying fashion design at the moment. I’m wanting to get into London College of Fashion next year. Crazy stuff! I can tell that my whole life will be utterly mental but I don’t think I could ever live without it!
Really good to get another insight into the fashion world, loving the tips. Thanks!
xxxxxxxx
I love it. Fashion design is something I have been seriously considering for a while now. I love how enthusiastic and… hyper! she is. She sounds like really loves her job, and she’s such a cool person (of course, you always interveiw the coolest people). Only four short years til I’m in her place! Gah, I can only hope!
I am loving this series, Gala (particularly the Illustrator article as it’s what I do when I’m not designing).
This comment made my day:“Each month brings a ridiculous new turn of phrase… This month = SPRING BREAK! it must be exclaimed in THE MOST exuberant fashion one can fathom…”
My husband and I travelled around Australia with a merry band of fellow fans and friends following The Smashing Pumpkins on their recent tour and ‘SPRING BREAK!’ was the catch phrase of the entire trip. We screamed it across crowded airports, through city streets, across the aisle on the plane, at gigs, in line, in our hotel rooms at 2am and just about anywhere! What makes it even more fun is that it wasn’t even Spring!
P
x
keke! ill do your accounting!
I am a sweet, fashion savvy accountant, who is willing to be paid in glorious clothes;0)
Hooray! This article made me : D
there’s up and down in a job…
but i think she’s cool :)
I’d like to see an article about small/independent business owners! I’m thinking about opening my own head shop and I’m curious to know what a day in the life of a business owner is like, and how to get started.
PS. I absolutely adore you
This is really inspirational, I mean through the ups and downs, Its all worth it if your doing what you want… something to keep me sane as i drone out at school…
She sounds super cool :)
there’s a lot of interviews with indie designers at the WhatTheCraft blog that might be interesting for aspiring designers as well, you’ll find them here: whatthecraft.com/blog/
i second Meaghan’s wish! but while we cross our fingers for that interview i can definitely recommend Craftsters crafty business advice board: www.craftster.org/forum/index…. there are a few really fantastic interviews there with successful business owners. and the book ‘Craft inc. turn your creative hobby into a business’ by meg mateo ilasco is a great read as well if you’re the crafty type!
and while i’m in teh recommending zone i might as well tell you that ‘the anti 9 to 5 guide, practical career advice for women who think outside the cube’ by michelle goodman is a fantastic read for anyone, but esp. writers, who want something else than the regular 9-5 job. it even helps you figure out what it is you really want to do if you haven’t figured that out yet. it is amazing!
wow wow major love!!!
i’m studying fashion and design
oh god it’s so much work though!!
thanks for this article gala ;D
I love this job profile series you’re doing, because lately I want to do everything and I feel lost. I would love to see, fashion journalist, graphic designer(you can interview nubby), animator.
Thanks for all of the job profiles. It’s so informative. You’ve opened my eyes into trying so many different things. If it’s okay, can you give us tips on how to become a fantastic fashion stylist? Thank you! :)
She is my favorite, thus far. And wildly talented, with a festive manner of speaking. Love, love, love.