Metropolitan Fashion Show’s Designer Talent 2015 catwalk show kicks off tomorrow at No.8 Lister Square in Edinburgh, and as part of our countdown to the big event we had a chat with Scottish designer, Nicole Blair, about her brand Blair Designs and her latest collection.
What is your brand, Blair Designs, all about?
Blair Designs is a cutting edge clothing brand specialising in unique clothing items that suit the customers personality. The Blair Designs brand is about standing out and making the statement to be recognised. Blending in is a thing of the past; stand up and look fabulous!
Sum up your new collection in one sentence.
Fun, unique and out there. We weren't made for blending in; be different and express yourself through your clothes.
What do you think makes your brand, and especially your new collection, unique?
What makes my brand unique is that I don't follow, as following others doesn't make you stand out. Being bold is part of my personality and this is reflected in the brand, people remember you when you're bold and they never forget statement clothing.
Who/what are you inspired by?
I'm inspired by my Gran and Scotland. Watching my gran use her sewing machine and making clothes when I was younger made me want to become a fashion designer. I started looking up to Alexander Mcqueen and I wanted to be like him, wanted to have clothes on the runway and have my name in lights! My Gran and Grandpa never said I couldn't achieve my dreams and here I am today, my dreams are what keep me going. If we lived without dreams where would we be? Scotland is another big part of my life and my inspiration as I love where I come from and Scotland is an amazing place with a great history. I love tartan and I use it on my garments to make them different and unique, but also personal. Knowing that I'm part of Scotland and that it's a part of me is such an overwhelming feeling.
What advice do you have for new designers looking to launch a collection of their own?
The process is hard and you don't become who you want to be overnight (I wish I did!) You have to work extremely hard and get to know people along the way. Be resourceful and don't be scared to take a risk. Failure can be a good thing as it helps you become stronger to not fail again, it pushes you and it makes you a more confident person. Be prepared to make mistakes but in the long run you'll see the benefits and enjoy the experience. And most of all be yourself - always be yourself!
What does MFS Talent 2015 mean to you? Why are you excited to take part?
Metropolitan Fashion Show has been my fairy godmother! They have helped me step into completely new territory in Edinburgh, they have relieved me of stress and been there when I needed them. The team have been amazing and I'm extremely grateful that they wanted me to take part in the Talent 2015 show. its an experience I will never forget! I'm looking forward to taking part as it's on a much bigger scale than what I'm used to, and I'm so excited to meet new people and have the possibility to showcase my work in new locations.
Where would you like to be in 5 years’ time?
In 5 years time, I would love to have a multi-million pound business with my clothing in stores such as Topshop, Selfridges and Harrods! I would also love to expand internationally, heading over to Australia to launch a swimwear collection. Nothing like a good challenge!
Where can we see you next?
Right now I'm working in Dundonald and expanding my fashion business, but you can follow me on
Facebook,
Twitter and
Instagram to find out where my next show will be.
Blair Designs will be showcasing their new collection at the MFS Talent 2015 catwalk show tomorrow, Saturday 15th August in Edinburgh. You can still
buy tickets for the MFS Talent 2015 show here, or
visit the Talent 2015 event page for more information.
