Iona Crawford graduated from Edinburgh College of Art in Fashion Design in 2007 and has delivered a collection of beautifully feminine clothes every season since. As well as being featured in British Vogue, the designer is the Creative Director of Stirling Council and her creations are sold all over the world. She told MyDaily about how she managed pre-degree show pressure and what she thinks it take to become a success in the fashion industry today...
What challenges did you face during your final show?
It was all about time pressure for me, I really felt like there weren't enough hours in the day. By the time it came to the show, I was basically living in my art school and sleeping under the pattern-catting table.
I wasn't great at working under severe pressure. I've always been incredibly prepared and organised but for me nothing was ever quite good enough. I found it very difficult to step away from my work - such a perfectionist! To be honest, I'm still that way.
What words of wisdom would you offer to students about to graduate?
If you're setting up your own business you have to be strict with yourself about working. You have to be versatile and open to all opportunities to achieve success because it takes a few seasons to become established and build a reputation.
I did teaching, writing and designing for other designers on the side - I never wanted to work in a bar but I would have if it was necessary to keep things going. Don't restrict yourself - you might think you should be in the studio all day everyday but the truth is you have to produce work and put yourself out there. You have to let people know who you are.
LOVE IONA'S WORK? Be inspired by her Autumn/Winter 2013 collection and follow her on Twitter @ionacrawfordart.
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