After graduating from the London College of Fashion in 1990, Simon Copeland has gone on to build up his fashion empire. Largely based in Chelsea, he has attracted a league of women fans who seem to love his designs. Why? Because he understands what women want and creates gowns that are constructed around all aspects of a woman's body. His new collection, shown in London last month and in New York in April, dipped into a world of luxury and elegance whilst still showing off his design prowess. I caught up with Simon for a few minutes to talk about inspiration and ambition. Enjoy!
The Very: What is it about the female body that inspires your creations?
Simon: This will probably sound a bit odd, but the answer has to be the brain as that is the engine of a woman's ability to create different personas. My designs tend to be created around a personality; the way a woman walks, sits and presents herself. Her style will always come from her confidence and how she projects that. Whether I am designing the Collection or a private commission, the nucleus of that design stems from something quite unique. To attribute everything to a certain part of a woman's body is I think rather limiting - every part can be a source of inspiration - perhaps how she moves her hand or tilts her head. The erogenous zones are obviously factors, but it is far more about the whole than a certain individual part, which is ultimately why designing for a new client, or a new Collection is always full of exciting prospects.
The Very: Do you have a muse or an icon whose style is influential to you?
Simon: Audrey Hepburn is probably a very obvious choice here. How she wore suits and evening gowns. Switch then to the far more elaborate clothes of Cecil Beaton which Hepburn wore in "My Fair Lady", and you see how it was her confidence which made them all seem so effortlessly stylish. She is definitely an icon of mine.
The Very: Tell us about your new collection due to show in Chelsea and New York. Is there a theme or a style running throughout?
Simon: My new Collection began it's journey, as I was making mine through the Tuscan Hills to my final destination of Florence. I was also reading the biography of Isabella de Medici which helped to set the mood of my amazing trip. The Collection is entitled "Lo Spirito dei Medici" - a reference to the family who ruled there for centuries. The inspiration therefore for my Spring / Summer 2010 Collection comes from the Spirit of Indulgence, and unadulterated appreciation of luxury and fantasy.
The Very: Let's talk trends...
Simon: Spring / Summer 2010 will see bright, happy printed silk satins teamed with jewelled duchesse satins coming through in his tailored suits and shift dresses of his occasionwear, flowing easily into a more relaxed but no less luxurious cruisewear element featuring wide pallazzo pants with softly tailored jackets and deeply feminine separate pieces. Sensual gypsy tops allowing the body to move beneath the silk, teamed with Moroccan crepe giving weight and fluidity and ultimately deep sensuality.
The Very: Who is the 'Copeland' woman?
Simon: My clothes appeal to those women who are proud to spend time indulging their passions; who commit to forging ahead at work or play giving their all: who want to leave a legacy of style as they reluctantly leave a room, only to conjure up the same magic as they enter the next one. Clothes for them are a tool to help them produce the best of themselves in whatever walk of life, profession or situation they find themselves in. These are emotionally strong, sensual and confident women whose energy can make truly amazing things happen.
The Very: How did you get to where you are now? Did you have training?
Simon: I always knew that this was my career of choice from the age of about 5! My art classes at school were therefore tailored towards my heading for fashion college when I left after A Levels, and I managed to secure an unconditional place at The London College of Fashion. When I graduated from there, the recession was in full swing and so I began designing for my Mother, her friends, and then friends of friends. Next year will be our twentieth birthday as a business!
The Very: obviously fashion is your life, but what is your biggest ambition in life?
Simon: When I am so deeply entrenched in the build up to a show, as I am now, the ambition is always to get through it all with one's sanity intact..... But ultimately the ambition is always the Next Collection, as that will encapsulate so much of one's life, through the months following this Collection. To show in New York will be a huge privilege, as I have spent much time there, and find the energy and people incredibly invigorating. Although I have many American clients who live out there, it will be interesting to see how the notoriously tough world of fashion deal with me! On that level it is also quite terrifying!
The Very: Who would be your ultimate personality to dress and why?
Simon: Again this will be a very predictable answer, but as she has been an idol of mine since I was at college, and she was wearing dungarees and playing a car mechanic, it would have to be Kylie. I designed the wedding gown for a choreographer many years ago who had worked with Miss M, telling me how perfect she was and she asked how I would react if she brought the Amazing Miss M to my shop .... sadly it hasn't happened ... yet!
The Very: What must-have accessory would you say women everywhere should not be without?
Simon: Oh that's easy - they should have Simon Copeland obviously! Hows that for unashamed arrogance?
For more details check out Simon's website, www.simoncopeland.co.uk
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Welcome to The Very Simon G. My blog has been going for nearly a decade, but there ain’t getting away from me just yet! Come in for fashion, fun and everything in between. Enjoy!