If you’re a fashion lover, you’re sure to have heard of Natalie B Coleman. Hailing from Monaghan, the softly-spoken designer has a knack of creating beautifully feminine pieces, all of which are decidedly unique.
She has just launched her autumn winter collection abundant with quirky prints, rich colours and opulent fabrics. Her.ie met up with her to find out what exactly goes on in the life of a fabulous fashion designer…
How did your career begin?
I got started by studying in Limerick; I then went to Central St Martins in London for the MA. I didn’t really enjoy it to be honest, I was just after coming back from Africa where I was working in an orphanage, it was two completely different worlds. It was strange for me as I’m normally so obsessive about what I do.
What made you get back into fashion?
I didn’t know at that point that it’s okay to take a break and didn’t understand the concept of recharging, I do now. I fell back in love with it again…I couldn’t help it. I went to New York where I worked for label threeASFOUR for a bit, and then I went back to Monaghan. It all happened smoothly, I didn’t have a plan. I put the collection up on Not Just a Label, a UK based website that designers and stylists look at worldwide.
I was then invited to Berlin Fashion Week where I was noticed by the Swedish Fashion Council, who invited me to Copenhagen Fashion Week. They said they would do free PR for a year, flying me over for press events and stores. Writer and editor Susie Bubble saw my first collection in Berlin and wrote about me; before I knew it I had a label.
What sets your line apart in such a competitive industry?
Each season, it’s kind of growing up with me. I always use very good fabrics and a good finish, something unique to it; you can kind of tell it’s a Natalie B Coleman piece. Prints are individual to the label as well; it’s quite special I think. There’s a strong narrative behind it, a story, a kind of mood that permeates each collection. It comes from somewhere, it’s not random and those elements come across, I imagine.
Natalie using the Surface RT, a very handy multi purpose device
What’s your success formula?
I do a lot trade shows, I show at Paris every season. I’m showing at Berlin Fashion Week in January, and I have a presentation in New York during Fashion Week next year. It’s a lot of hard work and trying to be consistent with your production and standards.
At the moment, you’re designing your autumn winter ’14 collection. Tell us about that.
I’m really excited about the collection I’m designing at the moment as I just ordered the most amazing fabric, it’s unreal. Lamskins but beautiful perforated lambskins. Champagne gold and rose gold… It’s made especially for me and doesn’t exist anywhere else in the world but won’t be available until autumn winter next year.
Where does inspiration come from?
Mainly films and books, different characters. At the moment I’m looking at French actresses especially Francois Hardy and Betty Blue, the energy of Betty Blue. I read a lot; I always get elements from that.
What defines a Natalie B Coleman woman?
There are so many parts to each woman, we are quite complex. For me each collection is growing up with me so the next collection will be more sophisticated, a little bit more demure maybe but still romantic and less print. I think women are so interesting; just so many layers to each woman that I hope my clothes can appeal to women in general. There are so many sides to us, we can be a bit dangerous, we can be soft and feminine and we have our outrageous moments
You’re obviously very busy, how do you juggle everything?
You can’t be everywhere, you have to let some things go. I’m a bit of a yes girl so it’s a bit full. I’m working on autumn winter ’14 collection at the moment, it’s a precise collection and I’m really excited about it. I’m also working with Claire Anne O’ Brien, an Irish textile designer based in London, on some knitwear for the collection so it’s a little Irish collaboration.
Have you any other big events coming up?
I’m going to New York this week, I’m doing a thing with the IIBN, the Irish International Business Network, the event is on a rooftop in Manhattan and a few Irish designers are showcasing there. I also have press meetings for the presentation I’m doing during NY Fashion week next year.
Of the 15 countries selling your line, which is your favourite?
There’s a shop in Monaghan selling my stuff. I think that’s pretty cool because it’s where I’m from, it’s called Inca. I haven’t been to a lot of the countries where I’m selling. I’d like to visit Dubai at some stage, also Tokyo would be good, and China and Taiwan… all of those countries I haven’t been to.
You’ve been working closely with Microsoft, how is that going?
I’ve been using two products, Nokia Windows Phone and Surface RT. I’ve discovered lots of cool apps and services, such as having her favourite fashion sites pinned to the Start screen and the ‘Fashion’ app which allows me to follow the feed of all my favourite bloggers.
There’s a cool camera and the phone synchronises with the surface RT, a mini laptop. It’s really handy because you can use your USB or hard drive. I find it annoying that you can’t do that with an iPad, it’s physically just for email.
To learn more about Natalie and her collection check out nataliebcoleman.com
