Fashion Pack was a series of articles published last year featuring new designers.
Hoping to bring something ‘new and reviving’ to the world of menswear is upcoming designer Laura Wells. With great imaginative vigour and impeccable detail, her designs are made with the modern man in mind. She discusses her love for menswear, plans for the future, and the inspiration of mental institutions.
How did you enter fashion design?
I did an Art Foundation Course at Kingston University and then decided to specialise in Fashion Design as it was something that really appealed to me. I did my degree at Kingston as well and am so glad I did as it is such an influential course for starting out a career in fashion.
What attracted you to menswear especially?
Menswear has a great attention to detail, function and practicality. There are many exceptional, really amazing womenswear designers but I do respect the way menswear designers work to a tighter market and yet create a sense of true style in a really subtle way. I also perceive menswear as a much more contemporary, ‘cool’ sector anyway, and believe it is home to the most used sources for collection inspirations, such as military uniform.
What are you working on at the moment?
I am currently sending out work to design houses in order to obtain a menswear position.
What are your plans for the future, specifically 2009?
I would love to work in sportswear, so my main aim is to get a job in the new year and get back to doing what I love, designing clothes. Outside of fashion, I want to do a bit of travelling to South East Asia but who knows when that will happen!
What inspires you?
I take inspiration from many areas, be it a subculture, a place in my memory or literature. My graduate collection was based on mental institutions, which was an extremely emotional, deeply innovating source. I like to be quite conceptual and bring some meaning to a design.
What do you hope to bring to the world of menswear?
I hope to bring something new and reviving. The great thing about Kingston is that we are taught in an environment where you think for yourself and I know my classmates all have the ability to create a new, successful generation of designers.
Tell us of any major turning points in your career so far.
Well, my career has not exactly started, as I do not have a job yet! But achieving a First Class degree is probably the proudest I have felt.
What makes a man stylish?
I think a man whose choice of dress combines a classic, simplistic quality with innovative, contemporary details is truly stylish.
Can you give us 2 style tips for the winter?
Layers and modern tailoring (oversized/cropped/sporty)
Quick Q’s
Designer?
Raf Simons
High Street shop and why?
Reiss. I love it both for womenswear and menswear. Its simplicity is so appealing, as is its colour palette season after season.
Colour?
Navy
Movie?
William Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet
Music?
Currently Kings of Convenience and Cat Power
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