HOW DID YOU GET HERE? FEATURING DESIGNER EMMA CHARLES!
Emma Charles is originally from North West England but moved to London and Graduated from the University of Westminster in 2014. Emma founded her namesake brand in 2016 which is now stocked in Selfridges, Lane Crawford, The Webster & online at Farfetched.
Emma did stints at Tom Ford, Stella McCartney and Preen, which helped shaped Emma’s designs into elegant yet edgy aesthetics. Her first bag Launched in black in 2016 as part of her collection for London Fashion Week and sold out almost instantly. Since then, Emma has expanded her collection into an array of new seasons colours including beige, white & baby blue (as well as embellished varieties).
Emma is full of youthful energy, is softly spoken, incredibly humble and most of all a highly talented designer. This certainly wont be the last time you read about her!
Keep scrolling to read all about Emma and her under-the-radar brand that everyone will be wearing this summer. Then shop your favorite Emma Charles bag!
Name: Emma Charles
Occupation: Designer
Location: London
IG Handle: @EmmaCharlesUK
Website: emmacharles.co.uk
Who is Emma Charles ? (Please give a summary of who you are and what you do? Eg. What did you study and where? Where did you grow up? About you & your job?
A: Originally I am from North East England, a small coastal village called Marske-by-the-sea. I moved to London in 2010 and graduated from The University of Westminster in 2014. I started my career at established London Designer ‘Preen by Thornton Bregazzi’. Previously I had design experience at Tom Ford in London and Stella McCartney in New York (in their press office whilst on my gap year at uni). I launched Emma Charles for AW16 with a small RTW collection and that grew up until having solo presentations on the LFW schedule! It was 2019 when I decided to focus solely on growing my handbag range and brand positioning. I do see the brand growing in the next 5 years to introduce a RTW collection.
Tell us, have you always been into fashion?
A: I think so, I moved to London in 2010 to study Fashion Design at Westminster. Since my GCSEs I have always studied textiles, so I did have an interest in making and textile techniques. I also did an art foundation in order to get into one of the leading universities.
What is your earliest fashion memory?
A: I remember coming to uni in London. On our first day we were fresh babies really! The course leader sent us into central London to Somerset House to document people going into shows! It was so much fun! The class ended up splitting into groups. Myself and a few other girls managed to get into a JW Anderson show, standing! It was one of his earliest in the tent in the middle of Somerset house! All you could really see what this crazy laser light over the models heads! The next day we camped out at the backstage entrance for the Burberry show at Chelsea School of Art! The most exciting thing to see was the collection being wheeled onto the loading van at the end! Haha!
What advice would you give to someone starting out on a similar career path?
A: Really zone in on what is it you love! It is a very hard industry to either get a job or start out and get recognition as a designer. But if you are passionate and dedicated in what you do, you will stand out.
What would you tell your younger self?
A: Don’t go on sun beds!
Do you have any advice for people wanting to start their own brand or handbag collection?
A: As in any creative industry, you need to have thick skin. Not everyone will always like your work, and that’s ok!
If you weren’t working as an accessories designer what would you be doing?
A: Still something creative! Perhaps Ceramics or Floristry. Sometimes I think about how much fun it would be to be an event planner.
What is your favourite part of what you do?
A: Working for myself.
Describe your personal style?
A: Oooo hard one! I’d defiantly say feminine meets masculine. I love the comfort of sweatshirts and plain basic tees mixed with a very feminine skirt or dress! I love dressing for the winter, especially floor length coats! Whether a Mac or a mens overcoat.
Where does your style inspiration come from?
A: I don’t really look for style inspiration as such, my wardrobe is kind of just a big mash up of items that I have just instantly fallen in love with. There is no real rime or rhythm to it. 9 times out of 10 the pieces I have are RTW from designers I really love and want to cherish! Which means I actually have clothes from like 8 years ago that I still wear to this day! I don’t shop that often so you’ll probably see me in the same things more than once!
I’m Intrigued to know about your own handbag collection? Tell us more about that, How many handbags do you own?
A: Aside from my archive of EC bags, I don’t actually have that many handbags! Roughly 8-10 compiling of designers such as JW Anderson, Christopher Kane, Jil Sander and Victoria Beckham.
How do you store and look after your handbags? Any tips?
A: The best way to store an Emma Charles bag is to ensure when you fold the bag into its shape the pleat is perfect, and then store in its individual dust bag. Ideally hanging on a door knob or bed post! I always keep all my non-EC bags also in their dust bags!
Which of your own designs is your favourite to use?
A: I love the black studded Lady Gwen and the black and tan Dotty! But any colour of the lady Gwen makes you feel special!
Your modern sculptural bags are really unique and remind me of a fortune cookie! How did this concept & shape come about?
A: Initially I was just playing with pleats and how I could simply create a fun memorable bag. I’ve always had an interest in craftsmanship and from this love came our hand-sewn handles and classic techniques. This is my favourite feature and elevates such a simple pleat! The more people began seeing the bag, a lot of people say it reminds them of a fortune cookie! I guess it could bring good omens!
What is the process of designing an Emma Charles bag?
A: I always like to look back at previous key elements from my collections. Details such as pocket shapes, gathered techniques or embroidery. Not only from my own archive but research into vintage garments to find something special I can translate. I am also always inspired by 20s and 30s colour palettes too. I gain so much joy from visiting period homes from this era - Charleston Farmhouse and Eltham palace are always so important in my process. Just the vibe and every time I go, I see something I haven’t seen before. It could be the way the light is that day.
“ I feel that if consumers knew more of the process, perhaps they would be more likely to value their clothes more, helping to reduce the fast fashion throwaway nature we have come to normalise.”
Emma Charles
How has the Emma Charles brand been affected by COVID 19? (Has production been limited or halted? Are you able to keep working?)
A: Currently our production is on hold due to our factory being temporarily closed. I work with artisans in Spain and they were one of the first to go into complete lockdown. I am however fortunate to continue working on new designs here in my London studio, as I work and live in the same apartment.
Whereabouts are you quarantining?
A: At my home in London. However I am missing my family up north! But we are all sticking to the guidelines and staying in our own households.
How do you think the industry will be impacted and recover from COVID-19?
A: It’s very hard to imagine, as this epidemic is so unprecedented. I hope that consumers will take note of the the drastic changes we’ve seen to climate change since lockdown and shift their buying habits to invest in those longer lasting quality products. It’s been amazing to see people really support local stores during this time.
Could you share some emerging and upcoming designers you’re paying attention to? Who should we look out for?
A: I love Rokh! I think their designs are modern and their finishes and materials are amazing!
Where can you buy Emma Charles bags?
A: In the UK at Selfridges - online and in their flagship Oxford Street store. Other online retails such as The Webster, Printemps, Eralso, Rinascente, Lane Crawford, Farfetch, Stunning Lure along with some smaller boutiques worldwide.
What does sustainability mean to you? And how does this transfer to the brand?
A: I have always worked with a made to order ethos. We only manufacture the exact amount our retail partners order. By using the same small selection of raw materials, we have less waste. We can also save and re-use any surplus for the following production run. We are also very conscious where all our raw materials come from. We have a direct to mill relationship and can trace all origins. We ensure to source all RM within Europe to reduce freight costs. We have just found a new tannery for our skins in the same small town as our factory in the Spanish mountains. This has cut our carbon footprint as the skins will be coming from a warehouse which is 10 minutes walk from manufacturer.
What could the fashion industry improve upon or do differently?
A: Champion the craftsmanship that it takes to produce a garment or accessory - it takes a team of talented individuals to get that one piece made. I feel that if consumers knew more of the process, perhaps they would be more likely to value their clothes more, helping to reduce the fast fashion throwaway nature we have come to normalise.
Who should everyone be following on Instagram right now?
A: @Connellschai
What is the last text you sent or received?
A: Sending my family Whatsapp group what I’m planning on making for dinner, so basic haha
You have a free day to do anything, what do you do?
A: A pool day with my family! Lots of silly fun! Jumping in, laughing and enjoying each other’s company!
Coffee or tea?
A: Tea!
Chocolate or crisps?
A: Chocolate
Where is your favourite city?
A: New York or Malaga! However there’s so many places I would love to visit! The list seems to have tripled during lockdown!
Decade of choice?
A: 1920s
Most memorable restaurant you’ve ever been to?
A: I love St. Johns!
“ As in any creative industry, you need to have thick skin. Not everyone will always like your work, and that’s ok! “
EMMA CHARLES
Favourite spots to visit in London?
A: I recently discovered The cemetery in Stoke Newington! It really feels like you have escaped to a secret garden! ( Abney Park )
Happy place?
A: Whitby - North Yorkshire!
Vintage or new?
A: New - but well made that will last for years
Beauty product you can’t live without?
A: Red Lipstick! Chanel Rouge Allure 104 Passion
Do you own any jeans? If so how many and what is your favourite denim brand?
A: I actually only have 3-5 pairs! I love them but I find it hard to get the perfect pair for my shape! The majority are Cos or Zara!
Do you have a preferred colour?
A: Light Stonewash
Menswear must have?
A: A Gildan Hoody!
If you could buy any building and live there, which would it be?
A: Charleston Farmhouse! Or The Homewood!
What’s the first thing you do when you wake up?
A: I like to pop the radio on and switch the kettle on for a cup of tea!
How many languages do you speak?
A: Just one - However I have been trying to learn some Spanish during Lockdown!
Tell us one thing people might not know about you?
A: I am very Northern!
The last item of clothing you bought?
A: I ordered a pair of AW20 Petar Petrov shoes on personal order so a little wait for them! But well worth it!
What does the future hold for the Emma Charles brand? ( do you have any exciting plans for the future )
A: We are currently working on our 2020 Christmas Special for Selfridges alongside Spring Summer ‘21!
Name a fellow friend / creative who you think should be interviewed for HOW DID YOU GET HERE?
A: Julie Brøgger! Of Brøgger!
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PHOTOS BY / @emmacharles
EDITORIAL DIRECTOR / KELLY HARRINGTON
EDITORIAL CONTRIBUTOR / WILLIAM VARNAM
#TRENDING
