i can't remember the particulars of how i came to be aware of budding designer Edwina Sinclair's label Soot., though i do remember that it was during the year that i had off to work after high school and that her work and ambition (and the fact that we were a similar age) really helped to assure me that i needed to put my everything into my fashion portfolio for the course that i am now enrolled in.
it's been incredibly interesting watching the label evolve since then, and i was lucky enough to have Edwina answer some quick questions regarding her design process.
why did you decide to branch out and create your own label?
after i finished school, i was really keen (almost a little too) to start creating and establishing my label.
is there a story behind the brand name 'Soot.' ?
when i first started Soot. i wanted to keep to the colour palette of ivory black and charcoal and therefore came up with Soot. (like in a chimney). i suppose it doesn’t really apply anymore as i do a bit of colour and digital printing, but i still really like the name - i think its catchy.
was there a particular person / event that started your interest in fashion?
my mum had a costume design business and i helped out with that. this definitely contributed to my interests in making and creating.
has your personal style evolved or changed as a result of studying fashion in a 'fine arts' capacity?
definitely, studying fine arts has made me look at design in a completely different way. i still have a similar style - it’s more the creating process which is different.
what do you think your point of difference is to all of the other fashion labels out there?
i think i am offering something different in Brisbane, wearable clothes made and designed in Brisbane. that offers something unique (custom fabrics, interesting silhouettes).
do you have a way of categorising your personal wardrobe? (eg. colour / style / season)
my wardrobe goes pants and jeans, shorts and skirts, jackets and coats, winter tops, summer tops, then summer dress and then folded are togs and pajamas on a shelf and shoes are on a rack on the bottom. i had it colour coded for a while but i find this easier when putting an outfit together.
have there been any commonalities between sources of inspiration for your collections / pieces so far?
i am using photographs from a friend who is a photographer to created digitally printed fabric and this is assisting with my design process. i am trying to create quite a classic winter collection with the point of difference being the print. i am a little behind on A/W collection as i have been in Japan. but my trip did help with my design process.
does the style of the city or country that you live in affect your design process?
absolutely, it helps determine fabrics that are appropriate for the climate, styles that are more saleable. i've lived in Brisbane all my life though, so this isn’t too hard to take into consideration.
what characteristics do you believe make a successful label?
passion, determination and having uniqueness.
how much time do you generally spend on putting together each collection (i.e. from inspiration through to production)? do you have a particular strategy to your designing?
after one collection finishes, ideas for the next generally start coming straight away. although sometimes its just ideas, not physical work such as production. the work has already begun.
is your wardrobe influenced more so by any particular designers, or instead by concepts such as street style?
i have been to Japan 6 times and love the street style there. generally when i am over there i buy clothes that follow the street style and then tone it down a notch when i come back to Brisbane. i have many designers i love for many different reasons and have some of their clothing which i tie in with vintage and Soot. Clothes.
do you follow any local or international blogs?
i generally follow blogs of local artists and creators - many that are friends.
what have you found the most difficult during your designing experience so far? are there any reasons why you would not encourage other fashion enthusiasts to begin their own label?
it can be very full-on, especially whilst studying, so unless you are 100% ready and determined, don’t do it half-heartedly.
if you had unlimited money, do you think your style would change?
not really. of course there are clothes which i wish i could afford, but i think i would still mix expensive designer clothing with Soot. clothes and vintage!
(all images courtesy of the Soot. store facebook page)
it's been incredibly interesting watching the label evolve since then, and i was lucky enough to have Edwina answer some quick questions regarding her design process.
why did you decide to branch out and create your own label?
after i finished school, i was really keen (almost a little too) to start creating and establishing my label.
is there a story behind the brand name 'Soot.' ?
when i first started Soot. i wanted to keep to the colour palette of ivory black and charcoal and therefore came up with Soot. (like in a chimney). i suppose it doesn’t really apply anymore as i do a bit of colour and digital printing, but i still really like the name - i think its catchy.
was there a particular person / event that started your interest in fashion?
my mum had a costume design business and i helped out with that. this definitely contributed to my interests in making and creating.
has your personal style evolved or changed as a result of studying fashion in a 'fine arts' capacity?
definitely, studying fine arts has made me look at design in a completely different way. i still have a similar style - it’s more the creating process which is different.
what do you think your point of difference is to all of the other fashion labels out there?
i think i am offering something different in Brisbane, wearable clothes made and designed in Brisbane. that offers something unique (custom fabrics, interesting silhouettes).
do you have a way of categorising your personal wardrobe? (eg. colour / style / season)
my wardrobe goes pants and jeans, shorts and skirts, jackets and coats, winter tops, summer tops, then summer dress and then folded are togs and pajamas on a shelf and shoes are on a rack on the bottom. i had it colour coded for a while but i find this easier when putting an outfit together.
have there been any commonalities between sources of inspiration for your collections / pieces so far?
i am using photographs from a friend who is a photographer to created digitally printed fabric and this is assisting with my design process. i am trying to create quite a classic winter collection with the point of difference being the print. i am a little behind on A/W collection as i have been in Japan. but my trip did help with my design process.
does the style of the city or country that you live in affect your design process?
absolutely, it helps determine fabrics that are appropriate for the climate, styles that are more saleable. i've lived in Brisbane all my life though, so this isn’t too hard to take into consideration.
what characteristics do you believe make a successful label?
passion, determination and having uniqueness.
how much time do you generally spend on putting together each collection (i.e. from inspiration through to production)? do you have a particular strategy to your designing?
after one collection finishes, ideas for the next generally start coming straight away. although sometimes its just ideas, not physical work such as production. the work has already begun.
is your wardrobe influenced more so by any particular designers, or instead by concepts such as street style?
i have been to Japan 6 times and love the street style there. generally when i am over there i buy clothes that follow the street style and then tone it down a notch when i come back to Brisbane. i have many designers i love for many different reasons and have some of their clothing which i tie in with vintage and Soot. Clothes.
do you follow any local or international blogs?
i generally follow blogs of local artists and creators - many that are friends.
what have you found the most difficult during your designing experience so far? are there any reasons why you would not encourage other fashion enthusiasts to begin their own label?
it can be very full-on, especially whilst studying, so unless you are 100% ready and determined, don’t do it half-heartedly.
if you had unlimited money, do you think your style would change?
not really. of course there are clothes which i wish i could afford, but i think i would still mix expensive designer clothing with Soot. clothes and vintage!
(all images courtesy of the Soot. store facebook page)
The black and white photo is insane, totally gorgeous <3
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Hey Rachel, thought you'd like to know about our Brisbane fashion meetup on the 2nd :) http://www.meetup.com/Brisbane-Fashion-Industry/events/47163892/
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