How did your career as a fashion designer start?

I was studying languages, computers and management at university and working part-time in night-clubs at coat check and dancing salsa, so - as I was a poor student - I was always whipping up new things to wear out for the weekends. I'd get asked all the time wear I got the clothing from, and I made a lot of friends that were in the fashion industry. When a friend that was opening a store needed some stock, I made a few things and they sold out straight away. As I had finished my degree I decided to take it more seriously. I did a business course in the evenings and started the label during the day. I began wholesaling to more stores and then did Fashion Week a few years ago. I continued wholesaling up until about two years ago when I decided to open my own store. Opening tkstore was the best thing I ever did as it gives me the freedom to do whatever I want now, instead of creating a product that I know a retailer will buy, which restricts the way you design. Now I want to open more stores internationally - one in Melbourne, one in Rio, one in Switzerland.

Which designers do you consider influences?

Tom Ford always was and always will be a big influence. I love his attitude. I was really inspired by the preface in his book where he talks about it being important for a clothing item to be put beside the bed in anticipation of wearing it in the morning - it's like that excitement that you have as a child of it being your birthday the next day! Fashion should do that for you. As you get older you go through phrases of thinking logically and planning for the future, or buying property, and you can lose that joie-de-vivre for life that clothing gives you. I also love Cavalli and Galliano. There are so many Brazilian designers I love too - Reinaldo Lourenco, Gloria Coelho and Maria Bonita especially. Brazil has been a great inspiration in the last few years since I discovered it.

What is the biggest lesson you have learnt so far in the fashion industry?

There are so many!! Having a passion for what you do is so important as fashion is such a rollercoaster when you are involved in the garment from production to distribution - it's important to retain excitement for your work but not let it overpower your life. Maintain a work life balance.

What advice would you give to any young designers?

Be ready to stick at it. You have to be a workaholic to be successful in this industry - or have a whole lot of money and a lot of people behind you! Picking the right people to work with you is half the battle and they have to want success as much as you.

What is your favourite part of your job?

When I am in the store on a Saturday and a woman comes in not feeling too sh*t hot about herself and she puts on a dress and looks in the mirror and exclaims, 'Wow - I had no idea I could look like this!' with a big smile on her face. That's the BEST feeling because that's what we're about - making you feel glamorous.

You are renowned for glamourous evening wear - what tips would you give to someone wanting to look gorgeous for a special occasion?

Wear what flatters your figure rather than going with what's in fashion. If it doesn't suit you don't go there. To feel glamourous you need a garment in a colour that suits your skin tone, and a shape that flatters your figure.

What is your philosophy about dressing well?

The same - wear what suits you. Some people can pull off a lot of different styles and looks, but for the most part, work out what suits your personality and body type and stick with that. You could have an incredible figure and put on a sexy dress, but if that's not right for your personality it doesn't work. That's why there are so many different fashion labels to meet our needs.

If your house caught on fire and you could only rescue one fashion item what would it be?

It would have to be my mother's dresses. She was the most amazing seamstress; she should have been a high-end designer. She had an innate sense of style and a few weeks ago gave me all her old pieces and they are sexy sixties dresses and tops - they are incredible.

What do you consider to be the biggest fashion faux pas?

Those flat shoes with the pointy toes from last season - sooo not my thing! But maybe that's because I am short and need a heel! Acid wash chewing gum jeans are all the rage in Australia at the moment and you have to be pretty amazing to pull that off. But anything goes in fashion at the end of the day, and I don't like to be negative about clothing because there's always someone who can pull it off and it works.

Whose style do you really admire?

Esta who works in my store. She throws so many combinations together and has a really relaxed, sexy look. And it might sound cheesy but Angelina Jolie has great style. She has an incredible feminine, edgy, tomboy, down-to-earth look and I have never seen her make a fashion faux-pas. She always looks great!

If you weren't a fashion designer you would be...?

An interpreter since I have studied languages - I studied five languages and am totally fluent in three. Otherwise I'd be involved with animals, helping out at the SPCA or something.

IPG is available from TK Store
50 Brown St, Ponsonby, Auckland
PH (09) 361 2020

and

18 High St, Auckland Central
PH (09) 368 4498

www.ipg-tkstore.com

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