Brief Encounters: Katie Hillier
The British accessories designer and creative consultant has worked with countless brands while overseeing her own line of jewellery and bags, Hillier London. Last year she was chosen by Marc Jacobs to become creative director of his secondary line, Marc by Marc Jacobs.
"I was raised and educated in London. When I was at school I really enjoyed art, but I hated anything academic. Even my teachers encouraged me in my creative subjects but I was unsure how art and having a 'real' job worked together!
After my A-levels I decided to do a course in pattern cutting; I liked fashion as a kid, and my parents also loved shopping, so it seemed like a good option.
My career has very much been shaped and influenced by my friends, namely [stylist] Katie Grand and designers Luella Bartley and Stuart Vevers, with whom I studied. I met Katie at university and made her a beaded key ring for her birthday. It was actually similar to one my parents gave me after visiting the US. Katie loved it and asked me what else I could do.
I went on to make several belts for her, which she used in her shoots and the rest, as they say, is history. So I guess in a nutshell, I owe my career to my parents more than anyone else.
Through Katie I met Luella, and that's when I really got involved in accessory design. Although I had studied ready-to-wear, accessories were a new thing at the time. It was cool and fun, and no one was doing them.
Over the years I have done various jobs from consulting to designing, and the fashion world just grew bigger and bigger. Back then it was slower, and we used to have dead time between seasons. That doesn't exist any more. There's a lot more competition, too, but that keeps you on your toes. Coming up with new ideas is exciting for me.
I've always been a consultant for Marc by Marc Jacobs, but last year things changed when Marc asked me to be creative director for the brand.
