A moment with…nataliebcoleman

An Irish designer who creates the most whimsical and fun collections, each with a personal story behind them, she is soon to decorate the shops, including s*uce in Dubai, with her latest collection, All the Jewellery I never Got. We have the pleasure of “A moment with…nataliebcoleman”

 

Natalie B Coleman in her studio

 

Inspiration is in the eye of the beholder, where do you look for regular inspiration?

I find inspiration everywhere. For my S/S12 collection called, ‘ All The Jewellery I Never Got’, it was really inspired by the fact that despite my many years of love affairs no man had ever bought me
Jewellery plus I had just inherited my Mother’s Jewellery, I thought it was a witty amusing way of telling the story, I always like to include humour in my statements!

 

With so much going on in Irish fashion at the moment, what are your fashion goals behind your brand nataliebcoleman?

I am showing at New York and Paris Fashion week and would love to gain more international press and stockists, to really concentrate on expanding the label worldwide in 2012. I am selling in 15 countries at the moment and would love the label to grow even bigger internationally as well as at home. I am really excited about the renewed interest in Irish Fashion and Designers and it is great to see Irish people supporting and being excited about Irish Fashion, there is so much unique talent in Ireland and it is so refreshing that certain designers are staying making Ireland their creative base.

 

Lily Allen has some of your pieces in her personal collection; do you feel designers need celebrities to gain exposure in the media?

It seems to be quite important to have that endorsement; it gives instant credibility to some one’s work. For me there are a few people that I absolutely love their talent and we are working on some collaborations for this year so I will keep you posted! I am so so excited as I am such a fan of the people involved.

 

Who is your fashion mentor?

I love Iris Van Herpen as much for her philosophy as her style. I always read Dorothy Parker for her witticisms. And I fell helplessly in love with the mother daughter relationship between the two Eddie’s in Grey Gardens and I just keep going back again and again. There is also always my mother, Bridie who had incredible taste and beauty. And I could go on and on there are so many women that I could name so I guess it is a mix of all of them.

 

Describe Irish Style in 5 words.

Colourful, instinctive, adventurous, modern and strong.

 

Classic with Colour covet so much of your SS12 Collection, which is your favourite piece from it? 

I love all but right now my favourite is the Asymmetrical, Pleated Elegant Navy, ‘All The Jewellery I Never Got’ Dress, It has Front slits and Intricate pleated shoulder design. The illustrations are hand drawn then water Coloured and Digitally printed. And best of all the fabric is ecologically produced, even the dying process uses organic dyes and takes 6 weeks. Though I am crazy about the swimwear, I can’t wait to wear on the beach especially the swim suit with the diamond back ground print and I love the pretty pink super soft linings.

nataliebcoleman will be stocked in s*uce in Dubai from March

 Images courtesy of nataliebcoleman