Meet Christie Nichole

 

 

 

 

 

Meet Christie Nichole. 

She is the first to be featured as a designer on 'Meet the Creatives' and man is a delight to have her. 

This one is a not just a beautiful being, she's a mega talented fresh new designer that I will warn you to watch out for, and only in the best way possible.

From starting out with beautiful inspirations from family, to go on to study at the Whitehouse Institute of Design in Sydney, she then moved herself to NZ to work with my favourite Karen Walker and now she's getting noticed with her past and new collections
 AND has a small portfolio of modelling on the side, 
but she 'aint just a pretty face.

I sat down with Christie and got talking about back where she started from, how Whitehouse went for her, what happen in NZ and what's been happening here in Aus with a bunch more.

Hannah: Hello Miss Christie, it's been forever. How've you been? I understand your back from working in NZ with Karen Walker. Please fill us in on how it went and how you grew from it..

Christie: Hello, I’m very well thank you. 

Yes I have. Last year I moved over to Auckland, New Zealand in June and did a 2 month internship at Karen Walker. Then a position became available as Distribution Assistant and I thought why not and jumped straight at the opportunity. So I then worked there for 8 months in total and just finished up about a week ago.

Being an intern was very interesting as it was my first proper steps into a design house and I was just amazed by everything and wanted to know about everything and be apart of it. But being an intern you didn't really get to do everything you please, but I definitely learnt so much and saw how every person in the company works and how all the different sections of the business operates and I was just amazed and met some lovely people along the way also.

My time being over there really made me find myself, and discover who I really was as a person and encouraged me to pursue my dream of being a fashion designer even more.

H: That's incredible. So where did your love of designing come from? Did studying at Whitehouse help you explore your designing more? 

C: I have always grown up with my grandma being into Fashion and sewing, and she was always there to support me.. So I started high school and did the typical 'make a pencil case' etc. 

And then it came time to pick subjects for year 11 and 12 and of course I picked textiles and design. I think that's when I really started getting into it and realized I was a more hands on type of girl. I then picked up a design course at TAFE as a subject and also did a Fashion Visualization Certificate as part of my HSC. I really enjoyed it and that’s what made me decide I wanted to go straight into it and start a Bachelor of Design.

Whitehouse did help me as when I was there it taught me everything I know now, and helped me find what type of style and direction I wanted to go in.

H: I can see it's been a lengthy process but I hear it's been paying off. What are some of the big achievements, aside from working for Karen Walker that you have received?

At the start of 2011 while I was at college in my last year a did a capsule collection basing my inspiration on ‘Medusa’ I then entered my men’s outfit in the Lady Gaga Vodafone competition and was a finalist. From that same collection I had my leather jumpsuit featured in a Fashion editorial in ‘Just Be Magazine’. My signature/recent collection ‘The Garden of Black Roses’ was showcased at the ‘Wear Your Heart’ Fundraiser. I then recently entered my Lace Black Couture gown from that collection in a competition called ‘The Spirit of the Black dress’ and I was then lucky to be one of the winners which was very exciting. From that my gown got the front cover of the ‘Melbourne Review’ magazine. Also just the other day my lace dress was featured in the latest Fashion Trend Magazine, so that was quite exciting. 

H: Your definitely getting some recognition. So what's next? 

C: Since being back in Sydney for the past month I have been just constantly looking for a job, doing design. I must say it’s been very hard as I havn’t really had any past experience working for a company as a Design Assistant, which is needed. But I won’t give up and just keep trying. On the side I have recently just started up my own label, which I’m really excited about. Pieces will be able to be purchased soon, so please keep your eye out for. I am also working on my next big collection but wont be out for a while.

H: I look forward to seeing it! Is their any advice you could give to aspiring creatives? 

C: Follow your dream! I know everyone says that but seriously if you want it that badly you will do anything to get there. You get the best feeling when your doing something you love. 

You will go through thick and thin, ups and downs while getting there but stick to it. Every movement towards your dream is worth it. I believe if you are that passionate about it you will get there, its a matter of time and patients.

H: Well thank you very much Christie for your inspiring words. From HW Collective we wish you the best of luck with your future and can't wait to see the coming label and collection. 

To view get all the latest on what Christie is getting up to, what's happening with her designs and what she'll be up to next see here.

Or to contact Christie about any information see here.

Until next time y'all. 

Enjoy Dope Bitchez,

Love Hannah.