Thursday 2 September 2010

Sally-Ann Provan • Millinery at it's finest




Sally-Ann Provan is a Scottish designer who specialises in modern millinery and accessories, producing designs which can be described as being elegant and wearable with an essence of subtle vintage. She has received high praise for her work and despite being based in Edinburgh and London she has a client base which stretches across Europe. Two collections are created by the designer every year and alongside this creates headwear for opera and theatre companies, music, television, advertising, special occasions and the races.
 This September Sally will be showcasing her Spring/Summer 2011 Collection at the Fashion Mavericks event on Fashion Week. I caught up with Sally before the showcase to discuss her up and coming collection and to find out more about her career and success.

Can you tell me about what you will be showcasing on London Fashion Week this September?
I am a milliner specialising in modern millinery and accessories so I will be showcasing my Spring/Summer 2011 Collection of hats and accessories this September. However, I will also be showcasing my capsule collection of handbags and clutches. This is due to my clients frequently asking me about bags to compliment their hats, thus I wanted to become almost a ‘one-stop’ shop where my clients can match their hats and bags together.

Where do you get your design inspiration?
For this collection there has been a lot of technical experimentation which has been combined with a lot of research. I am also very open to things I see and hear. My work has a slight 1970’s feel to it and is quite inspired by the 1970’s Bond girl. It has this fantastic timeless and elegant glamour to it. However, in contrast I have this slight obsession with Victorian Bird cages, and the freedom that these birds long for which I find greatly inspirational in my work. However, overall, there are definite 1970’s vibes of elegance.

In your earlier years, how did you decide you wanted to become a designer?
It ended up just being the obvious thing to do. I have been drawing and making things for as long as I can remember. I come from a very ‘if it’s broke, fix it’ type household in a very Blue Peter fashion. For instance my father was a cabinet maker and joiner, thus he was always fixing things.
At school I did academic subjects but I didn’t ever really excel at them. Then I went to art school which I realised was right for me. Art school was a process which meant I could do a little bit of everything and I ended up specialising in jewellery. However, jewellery was too restrictive and I found myself becoming intrigued by hats. So I began travelling down to London to do placements and then I would come home and practise. I was very much self-taught and this took a lot of motivation. Thus, it was a combination of being self-taught and the courses I carried out in London which led me in this direction.

Why did you decide to showcase with Fashion Mavericks?
Fashion Mavericks is a very unique event. It was conceived for up and coming designers and gives opportunities that would not necessarily be available otherwise. When I did Fashion Week in February I met fashion designer Sara Shimasue and we have now decided to collaborate for the up and coming fashion week. So, through showcasing with Fashion Mavericks I have made fantastic contacts which I would not otherwise have made.

What do you think makes you unique from other designers?
I think my designs are very distinctive and sculptural alongside being very wearable. They offer a very large expression of timeless elegance. I feel they demonstrate an awareness of trends however; I do not necessarily follow them, thus allowing my pieces to last longer than a season.

Finally, what do you like to do in your spare time? Is there anything other than designing that you like to immerse yourself in?
I like to read..a lot! I also like to potter around in my garden. At the moment I am spending a considerable amount of time working on my car. Also, my partner and I are lucky enough to live by the coast so we enjoy walking on the beach and paddle in the sea which gives time out to reflect and draw upon inspiration for my designs

With a high reputation for her hats and accessories, an exciting new capsule collection of bags, and collaboration with designer Sara Shimasue for the show;  the Spring/Summer 2011 Collection from Sally-Ann Provan will be greatly anticipated on London Fashion Week this September.

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