Noblivity Spotlights Kate Williams
Company/Designer Name: Kate Williams
Designer Background Summary: While completing a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Fashion Design at the Queensland University of Technology, I was a finalist in the Australian Fashion Design Awards. After graduating in 2007 I moved to London to take the MA in Fashion Design at the London College of Fashion. I graduated in early 2010 and set up my eponymous label. This will be my debut at London Fashion Week.
How did you get started?: I was studying law at university when I first considered the possibility of becoming a fashion designer. I went to work for a company called MXM Couture where I truly caught the design bug from two of the most passionate designers I have ever met. They convinced me that I could make a career out of design and on their advice, went to technical college to study sewing, pattern-making and grading. After completing the course I studied for the BFA in Fashion Design at the Queensland University of Technology which really guided me towards finding my aesthetic and honed my skills. When I finished, I thought that I could benefit from being pushed still further as a designer. I took the MA in Fashion Design at the London College of Fashion and now I’m here – with my debut at London Fashion Week! Such an exciting ride!
What inspires your designs? My designs are inspired by a combination of things. I suppose my main inspiration is the different women I know and meet in my life. Other things that inspire me are as varied as a swatch of cloth to a scent on the breeze; from the purely mundane to the highly ethereal…
How would you describe your design style, design signatures and who is your targeted customer? My design style is very feminine with the occasional bold statement. My design signature is a stylish everyday dress cut for both comfort and style as well as interestingly textured fabrics and unusual prints. The target customer for my clothing is the woman who likes to feel both comfortable and stylish. There are pieces in my collections to suit women from 18 to 80 and I take great pride in using different cuts in my collections to suit different figures. This way, hopefully, there will be something in my collection for every woman. 
What designers inspire you?So many designers inspire me – each season they differ. Rei Kawakubo, Donna Karan and Miuccia Prada though are ALWAYS inspiring.
What obstacles did you have to overcome? I have been very fortunate in that the only real obstacles I have had to overcome have been ones that I have put there myself. To succeed in fashion you have to have such drive and self-belief which can be hard to muster when you’re just starting out. Maintaining a positive outlook and momentum is so important.
How did you overcome them? My family and friends generally gets me through any self-doubt or creative drought. I am very lucky to have such supportive people around me who can put up with me when I am crazily stressed or figuratively slap me awake when I have periods of doubt.
What has been your greatest moment on your journey so far? My greatest moment so far was reaching the finals of the Australian Fashion Design Awards – but not for the reason you might think! This was the first time my designs had been seen by such a wide audience. So many people came up to me after the competition congratulating me on my work and asking where they could buy it – it was such great validation of what I had been working towards and I will always be grateful to those people who made the effort to come and find me that evening.
What has been the biggest change in your designs so far? The biggest change in my designs has been the introduction of my own prints. This is something I’m really excited about and I can only hope that other people find them exciting too!
If money were no object what would you do right now? If money were no object right now – I’d probably be doing what I’m doing right now, just on a larger scale! I love what I do – I just never seem to have enough time! If it were possible to buy time, that is probably what I’d spend my money on!
What are the best and worst things about being a designer? The best and worst thing about being a designer is the same thing: the anticipation before unveiling a new collection. The excitement and adrenalin are mixed with feelings of anxiety and trepidation – it’s a very confusing time and I can be very hard to be around! There are many other aspects of the job that are wonderful and tiresome, but in terms of its effect on me and those I love, that is definitely the best/worst!
Describe your typical day? In a typical day I start off by eating breakfast and checking my email. I answer the ones I can and postpone the ones I have to think about until after lunch. For an hour or so I decide on my plan of attack for the day. This can include anything from research (market, trend, fabric, inspiration etc – I do a lot of research!) to pattern-cutting, sewing, designing, draping – so many different things! I always aim for a mix of tasks throughout the day. After lunch I answer the emails left over from breakfast and then get back to it! After lunch I sometimes lose track of time and can end up working until very late at night. But it’s definitely worth it!
What’s your philosophy of life? My philosophy on life is to take each day as it comes. Embrace everything the day has to offer and tackle the problems of the day head-on. Though I must admit that some days all I want to do is stay under the covers!
If you could do it all over again, what would you do differently? I’m not sure I would do anything really differently – the road I’ve taken has led me here to a very happy point in my life. If I changed anything – who knows where I could be now!
When will you know you have made it? I don’t think I’ll ever think I’ve ‘made it’. As I progress and achieve my goals I almost automatically begin setting new ones. I will always be working towards something. If, at the end of my life, I can look back and be happy and proud of what my life has brought to the world, then I will have made it.
