WHAT KATIE DID. Katie Newsam has been on our radar for a while for her unique couture garments. Last year she appeared at Doncaster Races Ladies Day, competing in the Best Dressed Lady competition. She looked stunning. Her outfit, incredibly well made with its own petticoat, was timeless. Judges - we think Katie should have won. We love the fact that when the host asked each lady what they did and where they were from, Katie replied, “I’m a fashion designer based in Barnsley”. From this point on, we knew we needed to get to know this incredibly talented #GirlBoss bespoke designer a little better. Katie, we love what you do. What inspired you to become a designer? I was interested in art at school. I remember my final project being based around fashion illustration. I’ve always been a creative person so I’d happily spend hours sketching. John Galliano was my main influence when I was at college. I started off being more interested in the theatrics behind fashion. The avant-garde side to fashion is what I always wanted to get into, so I did quite a lot of fashion shows to promote myself, a couple of my favourites being Brighton Fashion Week and the Urban Music Awards. When I graduated I started working in a boutique, where I started selling some one-off designs, and the more I did that, I realised there was a market for bespoke clothing. How does it make you feel when you see someone wearing one of your designs? It’s the best part of what I do. I love seeing people look at themselves in the mirror, smile to themselves and say how great they feel. I think a lot of people like the idea that they’re wearing a one-off design, made to measure for themselves. I’ve had clients say to me in the past that strangers have asked if they’re wearing Alexander McQueen or Vivienne Westwood and they reply with, ‘No, it’s a Katie Newsam’. Makes me giggle that people could put me in the same category, but it’s very flattering.
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What’s the future for your designs and studio? I currently have my own studio, but I would one day like to have a shop where I can showcase my designs, yet still have the creative space to work in. I like the idea of having an open space so clients can see how I work. I’m always busy doing a tour of my work space to clients, explaining what each sewing machine does and what goes into creating a pattern. I think that’s part of the excitement for some people - seeing the design, start to finish, from the ideas and sketching, sourcing the fabrics, creating the patterns, stitching the final garment together, and then seeing the final product. I’d like to get back into showcasing my work at fashion shows and maybe get more into bridal too. What are your thoughts on Doncaster’s infamous Ladies Day glamour? I have a few customers from Doncaster but I haven’t noticed a particular style as such. I think the people that come to me to have something created usually have their own sense of style. The ladies from Doncaster have an idea in mind of the style they want. Although on the other hand I do get a lot of ladies come to me and say something along the lines of, ‘This is what I wore to the races last year. Design me a brand new outfit for this year. I trust you!’ Katie’s studio is in Barnsley but you can find more info on her work here: katienewsam.com
Images are taken from Katie’s Couture Collection Trophy Hunt (Photographer: Jamie Cowlishaw). Top Left Image: Katie and friend at Ladies Day Doncaster 2014