We sat down with British fashion designer Julien Macdonald to discuss his first foray into the world of jewellery over tea at the Charlotte Street Hotel. Julien's debut collection for home shopping channel QVC is, as you would imagine, full of statement, more-is-more pieces which are perfect to dress up any look for evening. But there's also a clutch of subtle, delicate accessories that would act as a glitzy finishing touch for any off-duty outfit.
Surrounded by all the pretty pieces, Julien talked us through his vision for the collection and how the idea for an accessories line became a reality.
Your style is always very high glamour but also fun and that comes through a lot in this collection. How did the line come about?
It's quite funny, my parents were QVC fans, so my sisters and my mother always used to watch the channel and my sister used to avidly buy jewellery, so I've grown up with it. Then I was introduced to it via Kelly Hoppen, she's a good friend of mine, and has a very successful home range with QVC and she introduced me. It's taken a long time, about a year and a half. Six months to design and develop with various suppliers. It's literally just come back and this is just the start. Next year we'll have a different collection. The first collection is always a tempting collection with lots of different stories and ideas, just to see what the viewer likes.
It's a very different type of customer to the normal JM consumer
It is a different customer. You hear the customer on the end of the phone when they call in, but you never see them. But I think QVC really knows their customers very well. I feel like I know her even though I've never met her. She'll meet me next month as I'll be on it live! It's great, as I get share my stories behind each piece. Then they can call in and ask about myself. It's unique that you get to meet the designer and hear them talk about the product, and selling it!
What was the inspiration? You said it's got to have the 'wow' factor
Yes. I call this my animal safari collection. I always get inspired by the places I've been to and I've been lucky enough to go on safari and I've seen amazing lions and tigers and elephants. I've always loved that.
The whole collection is the kind of thing I would generally use in my catwalk collection, so it has an affinity with my show. Everything that I'm about is the big crystals and they're quite unique - they're coated in rose gold the whole way around. I like to do things which are a talking point.
You said there's more to come with QVC, and you also have a homewares collection with Debenhams, would you ever consider branching into interiors with QVC?
Never say never! QVC has so many categories, and so whether it would be an expansion on the jewellery or another category, that's something I'm discussing with them. I'm always looking for things I'm inspired by and that I love, and I'm probably going to love going on air and just chatting. It'll be a good job.
Would you consider doing something that's not fashion, say hotel interiors?
Yes, I'd love to do that. I'd love to do a grand suite. I love sport as well. Maybe a Julien Macdonald glam sport range! The gym is a fashionable place and people spend a lot of time there. You've got to look good - you never know who you'll be lifting a dumbbell next to!
How do you get your ideas for your mainline collection season after season?
I get ideas from meeting people and traveling. I love travelling for inspiration. I recently came back from Madagascar, with a Scottish charity called Enable. It was great to cycle around an amazing tropical island and meet the locals and learn about the arts and crafts.
Another place on my hotlist is Japan - I'm sure I'd be very inspired by the culture, the traditions, the old and the new. I like the mix of the tale of the two cities, the two worlds. And then people - I watch people. I'll go to Art Basel in December and Miami is glamorous, people dress up. I love that. I'll get the chance to see all the latest artists exhibit their paintings. I know I'm going to love it, as there's going to be glamour and art together - two of my favourite things.
I'm like a magnet. I take my phone everywhere I go. I collect things. We live in a visual world. Wherever I go, I'll take a picture, my phone is my library. I'll print them all out and make a mood board and reference my books and make a story.
Is there anything to still want to achieve/tick off your list?
Even though I've achieved a lot, I think there's a lot more I'd like to do and I've just decided to introduce some more affordable ready-to-wear pieces into my mainline collection, to make it more accessible. At the moment it's very expensive, and I'm lucky to have a client base who can afford it, but most women who would like to wear it can't afford it. So I'm currently developing more of a ready-to-wear affordable line.
I'd also like to start my own shop. Something quite private and small - just a room with my clothes where people can come and visit.
Join Julien Macdonald on QVC on 23rd November at 12pm and 6pm to see him introduce his new and exclusive jewellery collection, or find the range online at www.qvcuk.comhttps://www.qvcuk.com/.
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