The fashion industry has more than its fair share of household names. Nevertheless, some 14 years in her career, Katie Hillier remained relatively unknown. It is a seemingly little known secret in the world of fashion. But, while you may not know its name, you will no doubt laid eyes on one of its creations-and if you're lucky, you can even own one.
Once head Accessories Designer Marc, Marc Jacobs, where she created some of the most coveted bags 10 years she continued to work there as a creative consultant-Hillier now experience behind Victoria Beckham phenomenally successful bag line and consultant for Henry Holland House Dutch labels and designer Stuart Vevers, with whom she recently collaborated with re-imagine Loewe Amazona iconic tote bag.
The winner of the British Fashion Awards, Hillier in the past employers include Stella McCartney, Jonathan Saunders, gap and Luella Bartley. 37-year-old Greenford-born designer, who lives at Victoria Park, also has its own eponymous line collection of fine jewellery designed to encapsulate its luxury brand with a wink "approach.
"I love what I do," said Hillier, we sit down in several of its studios in Shoreditch Rochelle canteen. Blonde designer found a spare hour in a hectic schedule, which implies its expenses "most weekends" in the Studio, 10 days per month in New York and never seeing her boyfriend, who, by the way, Patrick Grant, the designer behind the successful men's line e Tautz.
"I've got in place now where I'm very happy with everything I'm working on, they are amazing in their own ways.
Even Victoria Hillier began work at Beckham luxury bag line two years ago. Reports that are beautifully crafted line of accessories-over £ 2300-helped to rake in around 15 million pounds in the first three months of this year.
Victoria super-smart, "said Hillier, who was impressed by former Spice Girl's attention to detail. "People need to rethink their opinions about it, she knows a lot about bags. In fact, she knows a lot about everything to do with fashion. Work with it not only really good fun, it's satisfaction because the product is so amazing.
Call Hillier on Beckham is its subtlety. While the world is littered with heavily branded accessories, tote bags, Beckham range is free from the hustle and bustle-bags not even feature the logo.
"It is difficult to devise a bag that speaks for itself," Hillier said. "With Victoria, it's all about quality. I get letters from her saying "little inside pocket does not have the right stitching. Our focus is on developing the logo, and on finding the right skin. I love working at what I do know is that means something. "
Hillier's trip was long and sometimes bumpy one that saw it dip into almost every aspect of the fashion industry before arriving in its role as the UK's most exciting designer handbag. After graduating from courses DELIVER Hillier College in Hounslow went to the University of Westminster campus in Harrow, where visiting lecturers included John Galliano and Clements Ribeiro. It was during this time she met love magazine editor and stylist Katie Grand, for which she later worked in dazed and confused.
"I did Kathy keyring from beads on her birthday," said Hillier, and she loved it and would like to see what else I could do. "
As a result of Hillier created a series of beaded belts for shooting Grand do with Sharleen Spiteri. "," She says, "The rest is history."
Luella Bartley label just taking out when Hillier scored on job as her assistant. "I learned so much. We've been doing print sales; however, I've even produced the show. "Hillier, seems to have learned from the mistakes of Bartley's-the label had to be closed using the fiscal problems in the year 2009."We had an amazing time cultivating and error terrible business because we didn't know better. "
After Bartley was forced to "let it go", Hillier was Marc Jacobs-she describes him as a genius-where she was for nine years.
But the growing your own record label,that the Hillier talks the most passionately."I get high design meet of Hillier, because that is what we want to do. You do not compromise on the design. "
Although the current collection of fine jewellery, focused on her love for rabbits-remains a small business, Hillier plans its own line of handbags, purses and sunglasses. Although she remains tight-lipped, "watch this space", she says, her eyes utterance twinkling. "I think-in fact, I know-I have headspace do everything". For the sake of handbag lovers throughout the world, I certainly hope so.
