Designer Interviews: Eliane Sarah Millinery

An interview with rising star Eliane Sarah whose millinery we used on our last video shoot.

What's your earliest fashion memory?

Wow, that’s going back a while. I have always lived in fashion. My mum is a designer  and she always made sure I was dressed in made to measure dresses following every trend. I do remember an amazing black velvet dress with pink stitching that I pretty much lived in when I was 4 years old. It was possibly the first and last time I appreciated getting my sisters’ dress as a hand me down a year later!

And the first piece of clothing you ever made?

I helped my mum make a skirt for me to match a T-shirt when I was 9 or 10 years old. It was in three layers. One was black and white striped, another yellow, the third was possibly white and was finished off with a ribbon trimming. The first piece I made completely by myself was a head-piece I made when I was 15. It was a huge flower made of sinamay. I did some embroidery on the petals and made butterflies out of wire and old tights which I then painted. This piece is probably what made me decide to go into millinery and I also show it to clients for ideas!

 photo by Gemma Hall

If you could dress any personality, (dead or alive) who would it be?

Lady Gaga. I would love to make hats for her. Got a few already in my collections that I think she would love (including the silver disc worn by Gabby Young).

If you hadn't become a designer, what might you have been?

I always considered going into architecture, but got put off by all the years of studying. I thought about TV production, PR, Advertising and a few others, and then had accountancy as the back-up plan cos it’s a lot easier to get into but also very boring!

Whats the best thing about working in fashion?

Seeing my designs and finished products in magazine, videos etc.

 And the worst?

People not liking or understanding my work. Timings of things! The list is endless! Luckily the best things about the industry cover up the bad days.

 What are your goals for 2011?

My goals … I would love to have my business properly set-up and established by the end of the year. Have pieces stocked in department stores and boutiques. Possibly to try and expand internationally but I think that may need an extra year or two!

Her Curious Nature

Here's a little shoot we did on Hampstead Heath when I'd just got back from tour. The beautiful floral headpiece is by Sabrina Said, creator of Her Curious Nature. Hair and make-up by Jennifer Nash, styling by Katie Antoniou and photography by Gemma Hall. The dress is vintage; it used to be my mum's! Shoes by Irregular Choice, tights by Tabio tights.

Pictures from across the pond

Here are some snaps caught by some lovely photographers over in Canada and the States!

At Canada Music Week, snapped by Eric Robertson for The Indie Handbook. Here I was wearing my pom pom bolero by Elizabeth Lau, diamante domino hairclips by Hatastic and my 'Gabby' brooch from Love from Hetty and Dave as a hairclip!

These shots are from SXSW, of me leading the marching band down the street and onto the stage!They were taken by photographer Olivia Brown.
If you have any shots of me and the other animals performing from anywhere in the world, do post them on facebook or email them to info@gabbyyoungandotheranimals.com; we'd love to see them!

We did a fantastic photoshoot for an Italian magazine in my back garden and then around Hampstead Heath yesterday; it felt so good to be home!The tour was amazing, but it'll be nice to spend the next month in London doing more shoots,interviews and of course, song-writing before we're off to Europe for some more shows.
I'm still awaiting the return of  my luggage that was lost by the airline- all vintage pieces, designer samples and one-of-a-kind pieces- I'm keeping everything crossed!!!
xxx

Song for Japan

INFO, LYRICS & LINKS to get involved - http://gabbyyoungandotheranimals.com/blog/song-for-japan/

We were so devastated by the recent events in Japan, a country close to our hearts where we were welcomed so warmly only last month. Please get involved in our Song for Japan project-thanks to Gemma Hall for making the video. Also pop along to Katie's sale and auction if you're in London.

Video blog from Australia

Here's another video for you, the latest in my series of video-blogs with the wonderful Jonny Levene. Featuring some tentative scuba-diving, voracious sweet-eating and some of the sites of Sydney!You can spot me wearing some of the fantastic domino hairclips by Hatastic, stil available from Gabberdashery.

And yet another video; this time from Illamasqua, my fantstic make-up sponsor who kitted me out for my tour. I'm SO excited about this new range- a whole new take on pastels which I can't wait to wear!

Here's another of my recent performance outfits:

Much love from across the pond!

Gabster

xxx

More Behind-the-Scenes action!

Here's another lovely video made behind the scenes at the filming of the music video for 'Ask you a Question', this one is by the Chai Wallah's team-thanks guys!



They have a quick chat with my stylist/Gabberdashery partner in crime, Katie Antoniou, who's wearing a jewelled turban by the lovely Georgia Nash, who she interviewed here.

And more behind-the-scenes action from the Wheels and Doll Baby crew in Australia, where I just borrowed one of their fabulous frocks for my performance in Sydney. Here's hoping for a UK store!



Love from Canada!
xxx

Designer Interviews: Georgia Nash

Zip jacket by Georgia Nash, hat by Eliane Sarah Millinery, Photo by Gemma Hall, Hair and make-up Jennifer Nash

Here's another mini interview with one of fashion's rising stars, Georgia Nash, who lent us some wonderful pieces for the recent video shoot, including the amazing zip jacket pictured above, that was delivered straight to British Vogue after we finished with it!

What's your earliest fashion memory?

When I was three years old and put on my mothers shoes.

And the first piece of clothing you ever made?

It was a hooded draped dress which covered the face. Thinking of it now it wasn't too bad but the fabric was awful! Little did I know!

If you could dress any personality, (dead or alive) who would it be?

It would have to be Alice in Wonderland or Grace Kelly

Georgia Nash, in the black hat, with her models.

If you hadn't become a designer, what might you have been?

Probably a dust bin man!

Whats the best thing about working in fashion?

Everything, I get so lost in my designs that nothing elase matters. I love the feeling of making some one feel beautiful. If you can do that its a very powerful thing, for me this is extremely important. 

from Georgia's collection inspired by The Nutcracker, image source.

And the worst?

It would have to the lack of sleep but I'm used to it now!

What are your goals for 2011?

Im currently designing for REEM alongside my label. So I'm extremely busy. With REEM the couture collection in Tokyo and Georgia Nash I have a few secret projects as well as showing next season.

Sheer cape and headpiece by Georgia Nash- you can see them in the music video for 'Ask you a question' here.