Designer Interview

Canberra based fashion designer & owner of

eponymous Independent Design Label ANDIE MEREDITH

When did you know you wanted to be a fashion designer?

Once I had graduated from CIT and completed a Bachelor of Design

(Fashion) I realised I had found my 'niche', so to speak. There are so

many different avenues in the fashion industry which meant that while

studying I was unsure of which path I was going to take. During 3rd year

I found a real confidence in what I was doing, and was able to identify

what my strengths were and started to believe that I had potential to

be a 'real designer'

How would you describe your fashion design style?

Soft and organic with a thoughtful colour palette.

Who are the designers, artists or creative people that inspire you?

I find inspiration through all disciplines of the creative industries.

Although I don't particularly find inspiration through other fashion

designers there are quite a few whose work I admire, particularly

Easton Pearson and Akira. I have always believed that inspiration is

something that you find on your own as a designer rather than in the

form of replicating someone else's work. The Perth based Visual Artist

Holly Story is someone who also inspires me. Her raw works are

related to humans and the natural world. There is a lot of theory

behind her work and I find this very interesting.

How does a typical day of work for you go?

A typical day will depend on the season and in turn the cycle of the

business. I operate the business in conjunction with the typical industry

timing wherever possible. Being a 'one man show' means this is often

very demanding most of the time. I work in two spaces throughout the

year, where I would design and construct prototypes in one space and

in another, operate production side of things.

What is your creative process when designing a new piece?

Once I create a brief, that includes market research and a number of

necessary constraints, I am then able to produce a successful product

for the label's target market. As in past collections, I would be immersing

myself in inspiration, which is imagery and quotes from other artists. I

often use photography as a way of capturing my ideas, taking

inspiration from random objects as well as nature. I also sketch and

document ideas as they come to me in a journal type style. This informs

the actual making of the garments and leads on to the toiling, and pattern

making area. I find my ideas are most refined once I am able to work 3

dimensionally on to the mannequin, constructing toiles from calico and

various fabrics and eventually drafting the final pattern.

How would you like women to feel when they wear your designs?

I aim to create a sense of individuality and allow the wearer to express

their own identity. I strongly believe there is a need to feel comfortable,

both physically and emotionally with the way we wear clothing. Women
who wear my clothing appreciate design rather than having a focus on
wearing trend based pieces. They also value the notion that timeless pieces
are essential in meeting the needs of our diverse lifestyles and in turn this
offers a positive experience for the wearer.

What makes your designs unique?

The signature fabric prints that I design. These fabrics remain exclusive

to Andie Meredith and are developed through a process of 2 dimensional

 and 3 dimensional artworks.

What is your advice to aspiring fashion designers?

Identify what is your niche and then be consistent in your approach. Don't

be afraid to take risks or make mistakes. Some of the best lessons in life

are learned this way!

What will you be selling at the Handmade Fashion Only Market?

Pieces from the AW 2012 collection as well as some one-off accessories.

Find the super stylish & textile talented Andie Meredith at the

Handmade Fashion Only Market Saturday May 5th

National Convention Centre, Canberra