Noblivity Spotlights Emmanuelle-Marie
Company/Designer Name: MALAM / Emmanuelle-Marie
Designer Background Summary:
I graduated in 2006 from ESMOD Paris, in fashion design and pattern drafting, specialized in menswear, after completing a Master of Sciences in Management in EM Lyon Business School. After a few internships in jewellery & accessories and clothes making, I decided to launch my own brand in 2007.
How did you get started?
Basically, I had a huge stock of fabrics at home from my fashion studies, and decided to create a line of dresses to use the stock up. My first idea was to make just one pattern and decline it in several different fabrics. Then I thought I should make jackets to wear with them, tops to wear underneath, skirts to wear as petticoats, jumpers to wear as alternatives to the dresses and a second dress pattern to vary a little. Etc 
What inspires your designs?
I am mostly inspired by children stories and historical clothing. And even more by the fabrics that I buy, they often provoke the inspiration. Most of all, I like making clothing which flatter the feminine silhouette – although I do make some mens clothing from time to time!
How would you describe your design style, design signatures and who is your targeted customer?
I’d say my design style is a mixture of fun, romantic, classic, steampunk… Signature elements are bell sleeves, fitted tops and goblin hoods. My target customer is a 25 to 50 y-old woman with a strong sense of style, who assumes herself and dares to be original.
What designers inspire you?
I love John Galliano, Vivienne Westwood… all in all, daring designers.
What obstacles did you have to overcome?
My main obstacle is time, I always have so many ideas and orders at the same time, it’s hard to fit everything in one day!
How did you overcome them?
I’m still trying
What has been your greatest moment on your journey so far?
Being able to afford a separate workshop, and not work from home anymore! Although I thought this would help me have more normal work hours.. but it did not really work that way, I probably work more now
What has been the biggest change in your designs so far?
I can’t say my designs have changed much – however, I am trying to make more complicated, researched designs now than what I did at the beginning. I also use more jersey and silk whereas I used mostly cotton and wool before.
If money were no object what would you do right now?
I think I’d move my workshop nearer to the center of Paris, and maybe open a physical boutique!
What are the best and worst things about being a designer?
The best.. being able to give life to the ideas that flow in my head… when I want, and not because someone asked me to. The worst… not having definite work hours or holidays – although I don’t really miss that, I love my work!
Describe your typical day?
I get up early, go to the workshop where I put together the day’s schedule, trying to prioritize urgent orders; then I spend all day drafting, cutting, sewing, answering emails, listing new items in my e-shops, wrapping orders to be sent, sometimes going shopping for fabrics, and trims, until about 8pm. Then I come back home to eat with my husband, and if no outing is planned, I spend the rest of the evening working on pictures, answering emails, or doing a photo session.
What’s your philosophy of life?
Make the most of each day
If you could do it all over again, what would you do differently?
I would probably do exactly the same, I don’t have any regrets – yet
When will you know you have made it?
When I can leave for 3 weeks holidays without wondering how I will make everything when I’m back!
