From Humble Beginnings to High Street Winning.

According to a report by the Creative Industries Federation, in the UK people from privileged backgrounds are 2.5 times more likely to work in a creative occupation than their working-class peers.

Accessories designer Emily Westaway came from humble beginnings, living off of benefits while growing up in the remote County of Cornwall in England. Against the odds, Emily went on to design for some of the most internationally recognised retailers - Primark, H&M and Skinnydip.

Here she tells us her story…

As a kid, what did you want to be when you grew up?

I was super dyslexic at school but didn’t know it at the time. I couldn’t spell, but the one thing I could do was draw. My mum was a single parent and we were on benefits, so I always knew I wanted to be able to make more money. I was about 6 or 7 years old wondering how my drawing skills could help bring in a higher income. It’s crazy when you think about how young I was even having these thoughts.

I was really encouraged by my mum who one day showed me the film ‘Romeo and Juliet’ by Baz Luhrmann. I instantly fell in love with costume, film and the fashion aspect of it. My mum also introduced me to influential designers like Alexander McQueen and Vivienne Westwood, who were more theatrical and arty compared with regular high street fashion. She was artistic herself and had originally wanted to go to art college, but settled for the first available paying job before she had the chance to go. She knew how to encourage the artistic side she saw in me because she was like that too. 

My nan taught me how to cross stitch and would always have us do arts and crafts with her at weekends while my mum was working. Looking back on it makes me realise how lucky I was that everyone was so encouraging for me to pursue my interest in art and fashion.

It’s important to mention that back when I was at school, dyslexia just wasn’t a thing, it wasn’t recognised at my school, especially since I was at a small school in Cornwall who were probably a little behind with the times. I wasn’t even diagnosed with it till I was 19 at University.

“A lot of it was finance related. If I didn’t have to worry about the high cost of living in London, I could have worked at different brands.”

What did you study at University?

I was fortunate enough to do a fashion diploma in fashion and textiles, followed by a degree at London College of Fashion. I found myself designing really theatrical pieces, I had always been encouraged to avoid mainstream designing since I would be doing enough of that when I graduated. This was the time to go crazy. However at LCF, the attitude was slightly different, and often I was told my designs needed to look more commercial like Topshop. Deciding LCF wasn’t for me, I ended up transferring to Bath Spa University where I did Fashion for Textiles and Interiors. It was phenomenal. They were so encouraging with my interest in costume, and recommended other mini courses for me so I could learn skills like tailoring. The only downside was at the time, the University didn’t have as many contacts in the costume industry. 

What were the obstacles you faced as you tried to pursue your dream career?

A lot of it was finance related. If I didn’t have to worry about the high cost of living in London, I could have worked at different brands. Friends of mine interned at fashion houses like McQueen and were on call all the time, sometimes staying till 3am. But since I wasn’t already in London, and internships were unpaid, I couldn’t afford to move there.  

I have been lucky in other senses. I never thought I would work in accessories but my first position was as a costume jewellery designer which led onto accessories. It has been my career ever since. From working at Primark to where I am now at Skinnydip doing illustrations & working with licensing, it feels like an aspect of costume. Especially when I design fun festival pieces. I would still love to go into film and theatre, but what I do now is my own version of it I guess. I even looked at doing a masters in costume design but it’s super expensive to do.

“I’ve reached the point in my career now that I don’t want to settle, I couldn’t go back to designing plain accessories, for me I get the most enjoyment out of the fun element and I’ve definitely found my ‘handwriting’.“

How did your career goals evolve over time?

Working at Primark enabled me to work across so many avenues since we had such limited design support. I was designing all of the accessories and had the opportunity to work on license-wear. Working on these types of products made me realise I enjoyed working on quirky product. I was getting a lot of support from the buyers and the Heads of department, they were really excited about the product I was designing. It was so much fun, playing around with glitter and the cheeky element of design. I loved working for a bigger company but I really craved working for somewhere where design was more a focus and had more importance. At Skinnydip we don’t have buyers. We have merchandisers and several designers across the different categories. We have a lot more freedom and can really fight for what we believe in. It’s so creative and fun.

I’ve reached the point in my career now that I don’t want to settle, I couldn’t go back to designing plain accessories, for me I get the most enjoyment out of the fun element and I’ve definitely found my ‘handwriting’.

What was your first job in the fashion industry?

While I was at LCF I interned for Johnny Loves Rosie making bespoke accessories for Topshop. I was there for about a year, working two days a week. Everything else came after Uni. I worked for TR2 in Plymouth ( a production and learning centre) making costumes with older seamstresses which was so interesting. When I moved back to London I worked a bar job as well as interning in costume at The Box in Soho which was phenomenal. But I couldn’t afford to carry on working there. My bar wages weren’t great and when I got offered a job in fast fashion, I gave up my internship and took the job so I could pay my rent. My first job in fashion wasn’t great, my boss was pretty sexist and we used to butt heads a lot. I had to go through about 4 rounds of interviews with him, he asked me to come in at 6am, told me he didn’t like me, then hired me. It was bizarre.

When I started the job I was supposed to be starting as an accessories designer but that didn’t end up being the case at all, I was an account manager, liaising between the factories and the buyers. I didn’t know what the hell I was doing. My boss also frequently threw me under the bus, blaming me for his mistakes. I ended up staying there for a while, worked my arse off, and eventually persuaded him to let me do my job as a designer.

If you could, would you change any part of your career journey so far? 

Looking back maybe not being so ‘flighty’, not changing jobs for the sake of it. When I left Primark I was in a really good place, and I wish I had had the confidence to see how that could develop. I left to work for another retailer overseas which sadly didn’t work out as I had hoped. I can’t regret anything though because it all led to where I am now. I learnt a lot at every job I’ve had, I just wish I’d had a little more faith in myself earlier on & been more vocal about how good I am. As a designer that doesn’t come naturally but I was always heavily encouraged to be that way in previous roles. It’s taken me a long time to get to that point. 

What professional advice would you give your younger self?

Not to settle. At the start of my career I gave up my amazing internship at ‘The Box’ to rush into a job in the fashion industry that I didn’t enjoy because I took any chance I could get my way in, which wasn’t necessarily the best decision.

Also to spend your final year at Uni preparing for life afterwards and aiming to get a job. My portfolio was not ‘industry ready’ when I left, it was A3 sizes of paper with life drawings. No one wants to see that in an interview. You need to work on a portfolio ready for interviews ahead of time that show your skills.

You can find Emily’s fun and quirky designs at Skinnydip and her portfolio IG.

By Emma Golley

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