Anna Campbell talks with archfashion

archfashion caught up for a quick chat with Anna:

Q: Let’s cast our minds back to where it all began for you. What was your first role in the fashion industry and how did it come about?

AC: I left uni 5 months into my course, as I wasn’t getting what I’d hoped out of it. I began selling fascinators to a local boutique under the label Anna Campbell, this then led to making one off dresses, which led to meeting buyers and developing wholesale ranges. Within a year I had my first collection and was wholesaling to six boutiques in Melbourne. We now stock out label in over 20 boutiques Nationally.

Q: In your opinion what is the worst ever fashion trend you’ve been exposed to?

AC: Matching two-piece floral suits of floaty pants and singlets! I'm travelling through Asia at the moment and seeing far too many of them! Back in Australia, jumpsuits are probably the most hideous and unflattering trend by far.

Q: What are your favourite shops in Aus?

AC: Aside from my own boutique my favourite shops would be the boutiques that represent a wide range of Australian design and don't support the mass produced imports and use them as stock fillers.

Q: Not everyone can afford a wardrobe full of designer labels. What advice would you give for someone on a budget?

AC: Choose pieces that are transeasonal and classic, so you can get more than one or two wears out of them. Choose colours that suit you and your existing wardrobe more than they suit the season. We choose not to follow trends with our label and that aids in creating classic pieces that are wearable time after time, for different occasions. A beautiful dress that fits your figure beautifully will never be put to the back of the closet.

Q: Which designers would you like to collaborate with/ have you liked collaborating with in the past?

AC: We haven't collaborated with other labels as yet, but would be open to doing this in the future.
With our label, it is hard with to collaborate as we aren't ever going to compromise on the amount of intricate hand work and high quality fabrics used, plus we are committed to having our garments made locally in Melbourne. We have collaborated in the past on photo shoots with different shoe and jewellery labels and that has been fun.

Q: What for you is exciting in the fashion world today?

AC: The internet! With everything now online and our website available at the click of a button, everyone who comes into our boutique now is so well researched on exactly what they like and what they want. Customers are able to come in knowing that they already love our label, our fabrics, our ethics and production.

Q: Describe the typical Anna Campbell girl? How do you intend them to feel when wearing your clothing?

AC: The typical Anna Campbell girl varies. Our Brides are fashion forward, gorgeous, sexy girls who want something classic, free falling and romantic without the fuss and fizz of a traditional bridal dress. Our girls going to formals, birthdays and special occasions want to be the star of the show, choosing pieces adorned with delicate hand embroidery, set off against beautiful pastels, so they sparkle and shimmer through the night. All of our clients are fashionable and young, or young at heart.

Q: What’s your favourite piece this season? Do you have an all time favourite piece you designed?

AC: My favourite piece this season would be the Gladiator Dress, arriving in-store late March 2011. The back of the dress is mostly covered with a stunning sparkling embellishment, laboriously hand stitched onto each dress, in house. The dress is 100% silk, which feels amazing on and looks even better as it floats and falls beautifully once it's on. It is also a very sexy cut, yet surprisingly supportive with extra support straps, fitting busts from A - E!

Q: What is something that people might not know about you?

AC: People might not know that I am a country girl at heart. I feel completely at home in my boutique dressed to the nines, yet my time off comprises of playing soccer, horse riding and helping my parents on their farm in country Victoria.

Anna Campbell Bio:

Based in Melbourne, Victoria, 23 year old fashion designer Anna Campbell is an amazing young talent in the fashion world. Originally growing up in country Victoria, Anna soon discovered her passion for designing after being inspired by her grandmother’s impeccable style. At the age of 18 Anna made the move to Melbourne and began studying Fashion at RMIT in Melbourne.

Unfortunately, she didn’t feel the course supported the direction she wanted to take so she decided to take a leap of faith and started her own label, Anna Campbell Design.

Anna describes her own style as feminine - she loves everything girly and is heavily inspired by classic vintage fashion, which is obvious throughout her designs and collections.