Rachel Hagen Interview

I met this really cool young designer at a wedding where she made all the decorations and altered the dresses it was beautiful! So when I saw her facebook I had to find out some extra info about her upcoming business and here's what I found.

What does fashion mean to you?

Fashion to me is a way to feel more confident about yourself by wearing outfits that have their own individual touch within a particular style.

How would you define Perth’s fashion style?

 I think Perth has its own little style, unfortunately we don’t have a lot of events or places to go to which require us to dress up. So I think Perth’s fashion is quite subtle and tasteful compared to other states/countries.

How would you describe your labels style?

Vakker Designs is a label you would buy that unique dress to wear to a wedding, festival or even the races. We sell one off designs that are made to measure and styled to suit each individual body shape.

What is your design process for coming up with new garments?

I generally forecast fashion for the next season and mix it with the current trends. I use patterns from the current seasons and play around with it on the mannequin or even during construction to suit the client’s colours and body shape.

Where can people find/buy your clothing?

Online on the Vakker Designs Facebook site, emailing me on vakkerdesigns@hotmail.com or even calling me on 0487199971

Do you buy your fabrics locally or off shore?

I buy all my materials locally

What are you career goals?

For the next 3 years I want my label to be a party plan business, visiting customers houses and making it a lot more unique and personal to the customer, whilst still selling online. In doing this, I hope to build up my cliental before opening my own fashion store in about 5-6 years.

What are your favourite fashion blogs websites or fashion books?

I’m very inspired by a Italian magazine called Collezioni, its mainly haut couture, and a small Perth mag called box magazine. A great little fashion Blog is stylescene.com.au always a great place to get inspiration and keep up with the fashion world.

What made you want to study fashion as a career?

Originally I started sewing because I’m quite tall for a lady and could never find long enough pants or dresses, as I started designing I realised how much better i felt about myself in clothes that fit well and felt inspired to help other that may possibly be taller, shorter, curvier women, that struggle to find garments to suit them.  And that’s why I focus on made to measure clothing as opposed to selling a range of garments in standard sizes to a shop.

What advice would you have for fashion students of today aspiring to be designers?

Be confident enough to enter every competition around to get your name out there. Also before opening a business, always work for a big company so you can learn from them and not on your own money.