From high tech to high fashion
For this edition of FashionForward we turn our attention to the UK and meet Linda Mirembe of the LinmiR label, an IT technician turned hat designer who juggles her burgeoning fashion career with being a full-time mum...
Nice to meet you Linda! Can you tell us a little about your background?
I was born and raised in Uganda but my nationality is Swedish, and I am now based in London.
[Before I started my career] I wanted to take a fashion degree course in the south of Sweden, but couldn’t relocate because I had two little kids, so I took web developing and programming at the Royal Institute of Technology in Stockholm.
But I loved designing headwear; I used to make tiaras and headwear for my friends and family.
Do you have any formal training in fashion design?
I took courses in jewellery and hat-making. It is important to have a form of education, but I don’t think there are any requirements to be a successful fashion designer. The designer has to have the drive, motivation and the talent to make beautiful designs. There are a lot of designers that are self-taught.
I also have two amazing mentors who helped me realise my dream. When I was out of work, I met Linda Kugler at the Jobcenter who became my advisor. I told her about my dreams, and how I didn’t want to work in IT anymore.
I told her how I design tiaras for my friends and family as a hobby. She encouraged me to take a few courses in design, so I took the jewellery design course and hat-making.
She also signed me up for a business start-up course to help prepare me.
Linda believed in me, even when I didn’t think it was possible. She was been a tremendous support.
When I was taking the hat-making course, I met Sue Dewhurst and started taking private lessons from her. I was so blessed to have this lady tutoring me because she has worked in the industry for over 40 years. She showed me the basics and told me to use my imagination, encouraged me to bring out the art in me.
She worked for the late Queen Mother’s milliner and some of her handiwork is in the Victoria and Albert Museum. She also made some hats for one of the Harry Potter movies.
Do you work full-time as a designer now?
I’ve been working full-time as a designer since September 2011.
How do you juggle life as a businesswoman and as a mother of young children?
It can be overwhelming sometimes, because I rarely get ‘me’ time. I am blessed to have family who help out sometimes. My sister Cynthia and my brother Innocent are always there when I need them. I also get help from my older two children, who help out with their little brother.
What drew you to fashion, and specifically to starting your own line?
I have always been interested in fashion design, [and that’s] the reason I started my own line. I thought if I never did it, I would regret it. I didn’t have enough money so I used the little I had to get materials, and over the years I’d been collecting beads, sequins, fabric and lace as a hobby.
What is your style? And who is your fashion icon?
My style is more than a little wacky, outrageous stuff. I love Vivienne Westwood and Jean Paul Gaultier, and [my favourite] milliner has to be Philip Treacy. My paternal grandmother Manjeri was a designer, too; in her day she made wedding gowns, hats and bags.
What material do you use?
I use a lot of stuff: sinamay, felts, lace, anything really.
Do you outsource any of your design work or you do everything yourself?
I like to be original so I design everything myself. That way you won’t find the same design elsewhere.
How did you come about your design techniques? You have different techniques that are evident in your work.
It’s evident in my work because I just go with the vision I get. I could look at a pattern on fabric or food and get inspiration for a hat.
How long does a typical piece take to create?
Some designs can take up to two days; others I will work on for weeks or months until I am pleased.
What does a typical hat creation involve?
Hat creations involve me having a particular design in mind, then I will decide on what material to use and mould it into shape. Then I’ll hand-stitch or use the sewing machine – usually it’s both. The last part is decorating.
What do you most enjoy about a fashion design career?
I get to do daring artistic headpieces for the catwalk. I see myself as an artist. I used to manage my son’s modelling career; that’s what brought back the passion I had.
What’s been the most difficult aspect of launching your own label?
I had the web developing and graphic skills so that came in handy: I designed my own logo, website and flyers. It’s the sales and advertising that’s a bit challenging!
What is the British fashion design industry like from your experience?
From my experience as a hat-maker, since the Royal Wedding last year hat wearing has become more popular. The Duchess of Cambridge Kate Middleton – my hat style icon – and the younger generation of Princess Beatrice and Princess Eugenie have put fascinators and pillboxes more fashionable and back on trend.
What is most challenging about a fashion design career in the UK?
The most challenging part of being a designer is realising that you have to learn not just to design but also to run a business.
What advice would you give a fashion newbie or student looking to become a designer?
If you have the passion and a dream, go for it. Get skills through internships with design or manufacturing firms.
What skills are most important in a fashion design career?
Get experience working in retail stores, as a personal stylist or a custom tailor. I myself was blessed to have been tutored and mentored by one of the most experienced milliners of the last 40 years.
What do you wish you had known before entering the fashion industry?
I think I was prepared starting from when I used to take my son to fashion shoots and catwalks. My mentor Sue also told me what to expect, so there haven’t been any surprises.
Where do you see the business in the long term?
I would love to work with international fashion designers who want to complement their designs with headwear, and take the LinmiR brand global. I plan on doing more international fashion shows – the next one is 11-12 August at Maryland Fashion Week in the United States.
Any closing thoughts?
If you have a dream, believe in yourself. Just go for it, it’s never too late.
For more on Linda Mirembe and her designs visit www.linmir.com.
