The Designer

About the Artist Designer

I guess it all began as a young child.
When I collected dolls from different countries wearing their national costumes.

I fondly remember very early one morning when I was about 6.
Creeping downstairs whilst everyone was asleep
and heading directly for that magical corner of the utility room,
where my mother kept her sewing machine and box of mysterious goodies.

Come morning I had transformed my entire doll collection!

I had cut up all the costumes and recreated them ....
.... by sewing on other bits of fabric, lace, buttons and trimmings.
Some of the fabrics I customized by painting with felt tips.
Then to finish the dolls off nicely they all got a cool new haircut too!

Carefully I put them back in their plastic tubes and continued to proudly display them.

Coming from a close family of talented potters I feel I was born with a natural curiosity for Art in all its forms.

Even in convent school my sense of style would often get me into trouble, for wearing my regulation cardi back to front
or flaunting school rules with blue streaks in my hair.

As a teenager I tried my hand at everything, designing graphics, jewellery, silk screening, interiors, displays, hairdressing, ceramics, and fashion shows.

Then after doing my A Levels I began my globetrotting adventures.
First I worked as a top stylist in London and Holland.

From there it was life on the ocean wave, as I spent 8 years travelling around the world as a cruise ship officer.
I visited over 45 countries on quite a regular basis, working on 10 different cruise liners.
The highlight was a Management roll on the SS Norway (at that time the biggest liner in the world)

As one can imagine when I returned to England most jobs seemed very tame in comparison,
after having discovered so many colours and textures in the world.
So I decided to indulge my artistic side and try something new.

Artwear was launched in October 1992 when I began designing and making costume jewellery.
Designed from a unique combination of rich ceramic hand marbled waves, delicately encrusted with Austrian crystals, lavish pearls and chains.

Later I experimented further, making accessories and decorating simple garments.
I soon realized that I really wanted to be designing the Outfits to go with my accessories too.

My childhood dream was about to come true.
After all I had travelled to all the countries my dolls came from, so now it was time for me to learn how to recreate their costumes properly too……but how would I begin this journey ?

In 1993 I married my wonderful husband.

I searched high and low for the perfect wedding dress but to no avail,
so I decided to design and make my own……and thus my new journey began!

My family were quite worried about this decision.
After all I had had no training in designing or sewing:
I just loved avant-garde clothes and couldn’t find the perfect outfit anywhere.

Then when I said I was also going to make my husbands two suits, our fathers and best mans waistcoats and ties and the bridesmaids dresses too. They all laughed … nervously!

With the big day only weeks away, I began my mission.

Looking back I have no idea how I managed to construct the garments.
I just had a vision in my head, found some unusual fabric and played with it!

I really enjoyed the challenge and achieved more than I ever dreamt possible.

On the day I felt like a million dollars and a princess!

All the outfits looked wonderful and miraculously fitted so beautifully.

No one could believe I had made them all myself.
My family and friends were truly amazed and well proud .....

..... Perhaps this would be the start of a new direction for me?

We then returned from our honeymoon two weeks later to devastating news.

My Father had been diagnosed with Cancer and given only weeks to live.

I remember very clearly … sitting with him in the garden holding hands.
Desperately trying to accept that this precious man was soon to be taken away.
He told me how proud he was off me and how he thought I would make a great Fashion Designer.

I called the College immediately and made an appointment for an interview
……It was so good to see him smile!
A couple of weeks later my place on the course had been confirmed.
My Father was so thrilled for me.

He passed away peacefully at home with us all around him.
My head nestled on his chest.

My Hero : the wind beneath my wings.
Throughout the course I could feel his spirit : Smiling and lifting me higher!

I studied really hard on the 4-year course, especially in my second year when our gorgeous little son arrived!
Working through the night on many occasions to keep up with my course work.

In 1998 not only did I qualify as a Fashion Designer but I was also nominated for and Won
The City & Guilds MEDAL OF EXCELLENCE.
Quite an honour apparently ( as no one had ever won one for Fashion at the college before )

" Thank you Dad for planting the seed &
Thank you Mum … for encouraging me to follow it through. "

I then went on to learn every facet of the business.
Making sure I did all the groundwork and research I needed before going it alone.

Artwear is now available exclusively via this website www.artwear.co.uk

We offer several delicious services direct to your door.

Ready to Wear    Seasonal collections .... Unique one of a kind garments.

Accessories    It's often the little things that mean a lot.

Bespoke / Couture   Over the internet or by Appointment.

Artwear Magazine Keeps you up to date with all the latest trends

Art HAIR Creative Mobile Hairstylist

Sadly Mum joined my Dad & Sister in February 2008 with all of us by her side.
" Love & Memories Never Die "
But they are all desperately missed x

My work continues to bring me great delight.
So watch this space to see the plot unfold !

" With all the colours of the rainbow " Karine

Have you visited our Portfolio and Sketch Book