Sopheak Seng is fashion and beauty editor of Lucire.

Q&A: Pardon My French

With New Zealand Fashion Week fast approaching, Lucire talks to some designers to find the low-down on what makes them tick. First up is Lucy Kemp of Pardon My French
interviewed by Sopheak Seng

After having worked for the likes of Adrian Hailwood and Karen Walker since graduating from the Wanganui Design School, Lucy Kemp has been designing the Pardon My French label for the past three years. Her label is defined by beautiful fabrications, timeless, exquisite cuts, and designed to become wardrobe staples that will be treasured for years to come.

How long have you been designing your label?
Three years.

What does it mean to be able to showcase at NZFW?
It feels like a great milestone for my label.

Where do you draw inspirations from for your collections?
Books, travel, photographs, the movies, and the past.

For people not familiar with your label, how would you describe it?
I like to describe the Pardon My French look as classic with a modern edge. Im not into trends or too much fuss on a garment. I always feature at least one amazing fabric print within the collection.

What has been your career highlight so far?
I think having a show at New Zealand Fashion Week will be my career highlight to date. I have spent the past three years working tirelessly on the label and this will be somewhat of a reward, finally having the privilege to see a collection I have worked on go down that runway.

What made you want to become a designer?
I have always had a creative mind, full of ideas and always being inspired. I chose clothes as my medium to express these ideas. I dont think I could pinpoint one thing that made me want to be a designer. Just a series of events that lead me to it.

Can you give us a hint as to what we can expect to see on the runway from your collection?
The vibe is beatnik. There will be turtle-necks, pencil skirts and cocoon shapes, to name a few. We have also done our very own fabric print for the first time.

Describe your perfect relaxing Sunday.
A sleep-in, a yummy breakfast at a nice café, a walk along the beach to the Sunday veggie markets, read a book or watch a documentary. All done preferably with my one and only.

Your three things you need to survive NZFW?
If I survive, I will let you know after New Zealand Fashion Week.

What are the  three must-haves from your spring–summer 2014–15 collection?
There are more than three, but my top three picks would be the Motormouth dress in a beautiful patterned silk. It has a real retro feel to it; the Hellcats trousers in a navy–white heavy gingham cotton and the Ramona Rickettes jumpsuit.

You can find out more about Pardon My French at www.pardonmyfrench.co.nz. •