Independent boutique blog feature!

I was thrilled to be interviewed for the Independent boutique blog, below is an excerpt. The whole article can be read here. For those who don't know, Independent boutique is an online store featuring some of the best British up and coming talent. 

Interview with new British designer Vicki Wallis from Karrah Designs

How do you describe to people what you do and your design style? 

I create fashion accessories, primarily leather clutch bags at the moment, which are designed and made in the UK. I like to create pieces which are classic and timeless, but which have something unique about them. I like to use basic shapes and add innovative details or an exciting print to turn it into something special. Because my designs aren’t mass produced, each item has it’s own unique characteristics which add an element of exclusivity. I’ve always been a big fan of how accessories can make an outfit and I always hope that my designs add the finishing touch to someone’s look. I am keen to support local suppliers and always try to use ethically sourced British materials.

What sort of comments do you get about your designs? 

People often comment on the originality of the designs and how they are simple but still offer something unique. I think they appreciate the time and effort which has gone into each design and like the fact it is not a mass produced product. Customers always comment of the quality of the leather that I use; the most popular is a butter soft lamb nappa, which I have in a wide range of colours.

What is your background?

My earliest childhood memories are of drawing and painting on this little table that my grandad had made for me. It was rare to see me without a pencil or a paintbrush creating some sort of mess! So I guess it was inevitable that I would end up doing something creative as a career. There was a brief time when I had considered doing humanitarian law and politics at university, but I realised that I wouldn’t be happy unless I was doing something hands on. So instead, I opted for a degree in fashion design with manufacture, marketing and promotion. I realised early on that in the fashion industry experience and contacts are everything so I took a gap year to work for designer Alice McCall in Sydney. I also worked for high street labels in London each summer to learn as much as possible. I had various roles within these companies including, PR management, design, production, merchandising and pattern cutting. This experience proved invaluable when it came to starting my own label.

Karrah Designs - Ruffled Leather Bag Large

Why did you start doing what you do?

Karrah (pronnounced ‘Ka-rah’, it is my nickname!) designs was started in 2009, after I made a necklace for my mums birthday which led to commission requests from friends and family. The business soon grew through word of mouth and within a year Karrah designs was launched. The first bag designs were made for a photoshoot for my final collection at university. They were well received, people liked the originality of the designs and I soon had requests for them. Since putting the designs online I have received orders from around the world and have had many wedding commissions. I now produce two collections a year and have a bespoke, made to order service.

Which designers do you rate highly and why?

Some of my favourite designers include Camilla and Marc, Willow,Alexander Wang and 3.1 Phillip Lim. These brands are all synonymous with femininity, yet also have an edge and something unique about them. I also love the fact that even though they are now major labels they still have an independent feel to them, which is something that I aspire to.

Tell us about your design process from concept, production and to the shelves…

My initial inspiration always comes from my travels. I choose a theme which is seemingly unrelated to fashion, for example my SS11 collection was called ‘Castaway’ and was inspired by a trip to the Australian coast. I take lots of photos and do a lot of sketching and after a while I start to get ideas as to how natural formations can turn into product. For example, the textures, the colours, the shapes can all be used in design work. I prefer to work this way as it helps me to come up with original designs, rather than catwalk copies. Though I don’t like to be too trend led I do look at trend prediction publications so that I am aware of what is going on within the fashion industry. After I have compiled a sketchbook of ideas and samples I can begin sketching the products and eventually start sampling. I like to be experimental and learn from mistakes so there are often many incarnations of each product before I settle on a final design. The designs can then go into production (at the moment I produce all of the stock myself, as personally I prefer handmade products to those which have been mass produced) and I can start to work on arranging a photoshoot and putting a lookbook together, ready to show to buyers.

Karrah Designs- 3D Metallic Clutch Bag Sma

What are your main achievements and what do you aim to achieve now?

Past; I always get a great sense of pride when asked to do a wedding commission. Your wedding day is the day that most girls dream of and the fact that someone likes my products enough to include them in that day is very flattering, especially considering the number of other great brands available to them. I’ve been lucky enough to have had my designs in weddings all over the world and even now I still get the same sense of achievement that I did when I had my first order.

Present; My designs have just become available in retail stores and online at IndependentBoutique.com and I feel like my brand is heading in an exciting new direction and hope that it will continue to grow.

Future; As the brand is still young there is still so much that I would like to achieve. I would like to start approaching overseas boutiques in an attempt to make the brand more accessible globally. I’d also like to extend the product range, potentially going back to my roots and starting to produce a clothing range. My long term plan is to open my own store and create a shopping experience which will match the ethos of my designs.