Yety Akinola, Fashion Editor
Just when you thought things couldn’t have got any tougher, the economic recession put a real clamp-down on job openings in an already notoriously competitive fashion industry.
Recent fashion graduates now not only struggle to find jobs, but internships too. It is imperative to develop a skill that will give your CV that buzz. Last week, we focused on blogging as a platform to do this. This week, we focus on creating your own brand while still studying. Think about it; you have all the necessary resources at hand, courtesy of the university. Although you may not have as much time on your hands, (a little thing called a ‘degree’ is still important), it is the perfect time to experiment before the safety carpet of university is pulled from under you.
Thames Valley University (TVU) Fashion and Textiles student Emily Handley, 21, did just that. During a summer of internships, holidays and late nights, she started creating jewellery. A piece here for her boyfriends’ mother, a piece there for her best friends’ 21st. Soon Orazioni appeared to roll off the tongue. I managed to get the low down on the last couple of months before Emily returned to TVU to finish her degree.
Many people see brands such as Swarovski and Tiffany & Co. and wonder what to do to get started. What got you to TVU?
I took A Levels in Textiles, Art and Photography and then did a Foundation Year in Art and Design in Essex, so I had all the groundwork covered before I even got to uni. I had the technical skills to pursue design and I had an inkling of my forte.
A huge issue many creative people battle with is where to go if you don’t want to be in London? How is your course at TVU? Would you recommend it?
My degree has been really successful, as it has offered a good balance of design, print and pattern cutting, as well as business studies. So if you’re not sure of exactly what area you want to get into, you’re covered. I have learnt so much in two years and I’m very excited about my final year! I have so many ideas I want to materialise!
I would recommend my course to others, as you receive one on one time with tutors; TVU certainly provides a great deal of support!
Sometimes that’s the problem when you’re in a creative industry. You can have so many ideas, but there’s just not the money or time to materialise everything. Did you always want to do what you’re doing?
I have certainly always had a creative flair and feel that in the last year I am really finding out what I enjoy through uni, work experience and hobbies. I wouldn’t say that uni has hugely taught me what profession I wish to go into. But it has shown me what I don’t want to do and certainly given me a taster and an urge to delve deeper into certain aspects of fashion! I have so many passions and interests so I look forward to seeing which way they take me. I’m not one to plan.
Right; so second year ends, the summer begins and by the time third year rocks up, you’ve got your own jewellery brand. But how did you go from a hobby to Orazioni?
I first started collecting beads, pendants and odds and ends from around the world, charity shops, thrift stores… anywhere really! I’m a bit of a magpie like that! Then this year I started putting things together, teaching myself how to make jewellery professionally. I developed a true passion for jewellery making and spent hours browsing the internet for vintage finds and one-off pendants. Then, hours in the evenings sitting and making these special pieces.
I like each piece to tell a story and each piece to be unique. I currently have two sides to the brand ethos; “ethnic and natural” and “vintage and retro”. So all pieces fall into one or the other, with collections streaming down from that.
What was your inspiration to start your brand?
My true inspiration, where I thought… I really want to do this; was when I came across some beautiful pendants in Spain. I just became really inspired. I believe inspiration is so important when designing, as passion behind a piece is what makes it special.
So where do you go from here? What’s next, selling in stores, your own boutique?
No not yet! When I graduate next year, I’ll start to try and launch my business properly. I did begin to have a website designed this summer but froze it as I decided I really needed to concentrate on third year. I do have a Facebook page however, add me.
So, you’re still new to the game, if you could give yourself a tip when you were starting out, what would it be?
Believe in yourself… and learn from your mistakes. Never expect things to run smoothly and never expect too much, mistakes are what make us successful!
So in three-five years; me, a Vogue TV or T4 presenter, you an up and coming designer making waves in the jewellery industry. We sit down, and I begin the interview. What do you hope you would have to say, concerning the growth of your brand?
I hope to be explaining how I have expanded my brand to a small boutique selling bespoke pieces sourced from all different ends of the world. Giving people an option to come in and discuss designing their special piece.
I realise I have a long way to go, and I am certainly keen to keep on learning through work experience and specialist courses. The next few years will be very exciting!
To get more information about Orazioni, get more of Emilys’ story or how to become a fan on Facebook email her at e.handley88@yahoo.co.uk.
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