ABOUT US
KIM ELLIOTT
This is me, however, this sadly is not my vintage car. This was taken on a shoot in L.A during my time as the design director for a UK high street brand. It’s the best photo I could find of myself!
MY BACKGROUND
When I was a teenager growing up in Gateshead, I told the careers officer I wanted to be a fashion designer. He told me I would never make it so I should choose another career! I was determined, so I wrote to Newcastle University who advised me to do a foundation course. A few years later, they accepted me onto their course and I achieved a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Fashion and Design!
80’s me! And I moved to London to follow my dreams and get a job in fashion!
WHAT I DO
I am a fashion designer and I have been lucky enough to work in the fashion industry for over 25 years. Oh, how that careers officer was wrong! I have travelled all over the world and met such lovely people, a lot of whom have become very good friends. I have worked with the most incredibly creative and skilled people who have taught me so much about designing and manufacturing clothes.
WHAT I LOVE
Handcrafts and skills of traditional artisans have really influenced my career so much. I am in utter awe of the pattern cutters, stitchers, embroiderers, hand printers and screen printers, the weavers and the dyers. Hundreds of hands touch every piece of clothing produced. No matter how much it retails for, fast fashion or couture, every piece of clothing is hand made when you think about it.
WHY MY FASHION CLUB?
With over 25 years in the fashion industry, I had a light bulb moment when I was teaching my daughter to sew. Her mates came over and asked what I was doing. “I'm designing, I'm a fashion designer,” I said. “WOW!” they said. And that was that! I decided to set up My Fashion Club.
MY BEST JOB EVER
Is definitly being a mum! This is my mini business partner, our babe.
FASHIONING FUTURES
I volunteer at F.A.D a charitable organisation which help young people make it in fashion. The programmes equip young people with the skills, network and confidence they need to get ahead. I love nurturing and developing people, sharing my knowledge and experience.
WHY FASHION?
I have always loved beautiful clothes, especially vintage and couture clothes. I love how they are made, the finesse and the details of how they look, both inside and out. I spent all of my time drawing as a kid, and I started making my own clothes when I was a teenager. This is me dressing up at the Balenciaga exhibition in London. I love the V&A museum, they hold the best exhibitions in the world.
WHAT INFLUENCED ME TO DO THIS?
The climate change crisis and the effect of the fashion industry have made me think differently. As have David Attenborough, Greta Thunberg, Fashion Revolution and Extinction Rebellion. I have learnt so much about the fashion industry, I am now learning about sustainable fashion. I want to help protect people and the planet. This is why I want to teach these skills so people can have fun, love fashion and wear their clothes for longer.
We are small, but perfectly formed, and will grow as we collaborate and pop up in your area!