Name: Laura Harris
Age: 26
Location: Blackheath
Design background: I have always loved making things from painting to sewing, collages to weaving. I have always followed fashion and textiles through school to university where I studied constructed textiles specialising in weaving. For my final collection at uni I concentrated on pattern and fabric decoration, which I have followed through into my collections within laurafallulah. Making accessories is my link to fashion, which I love, and a girl can never have enough bags in my opinion.
Where do you get your inspiration from? I am inspired by most things, just any experiences that I have be it a day out or a book I have read or simply a flower in my garden. I love colour, so that inspires me, and also shopping for fabric, which is very good when I am in a design rut, it broadens your ideas.
Is this your full time job? Laurafallulah is now my full time job and I love every minute of it. Working for yourself is very fulfilling, to set your own goals and achieve them is a fantastic feeling.
Are you involved in any other crafty projects or organisations? I am currently involved with a new craft fair called We Make, which will be in Covent Garden on June 22nd. Hopefully there will be many more events all over the UK soon. I also belong to the UK and London etsy street teams where we try to promote crafting around the UK.
Where can I find you in real life? I try to do craft fairs when I can but don't attend any regularly; I really like the atmosphere at a craft fair, most people I have come across are great and very inspiring. Although I do sell through a stall at Sunday Upmarket on Brick Lane called I Like Birds. I mostly sell through other shops in Greenwich and Bristol and online in my etsy shop, and hopefully many more soon.
Any tips for someone who wants to start making their own stuff? Love what you make and never compromise on quality. The best thing to do is make a cohesive collection that really expresses your style and then approach stockists with as much information as you can give them. Be confident in your designs, if it doesn't look like you love them then people will really be put off.
What music do you listen to whilst you work? Music is one of my other passions. I listen to fast pace garage punk when I sew and more gentle singer songwriter stuff when I am designing. Basically anything that drives me on with my work and that I can sing along to, very loudly.
What is the nicest comment you have ever received about your work? It is difficult when you sell through other stockists as you aren't selling face to face so you don't get the same kind of feedback. I just think that the nicest thing is when someone is really excited that they found one of your designs. I also love it when someone buys something I made as a gift for a friend or family member as it makes it really special that they like it so much to give it to someone they love. Also when you make a commission piece and the person sees it in the flesh for the first time, I have had some lovely reactions from that.
Any interesting customers? I sent some purses to the MTV movie awards through "the sampler" last year. There were included in gift bags for people that attended the awards ceremony so although I don't know who got them it is quite cool.
What is your favourite item that you have made? I use one of my polka dot and stripe totes with appliqué roses everyday so I have to say that would be my favourite. I also made a huge red, pink and white polka dot bag for my best friends birthday that was pretty cool. I have quite eclectic taste so I probably change my mind on my favourite piece every time I make something new.
Can you recommend another designer? I have so many people who I admire so I'm not sure where to start. I really admire people who have a great mentality towards art and also people who are really encouraging of others. Camilla from Made by Milla is fabulous for so many reasons, her work is quirky and beautiful just how I like it. I also really love the work of Hoolala, Sam has a fantastic way of putting things together, there is always something that I want in her collection. Sinni and Sanna .o. make beautiful bags and accessories gorgeous designs inspired by beautiful fabrics and Finnish style.
Anything else I might be interested in? I wish I had more time for hobbies. In my free time I love going to galleries or to the cinema and I spend a lot of evenings being deafened at gigs. I also love to travel and recently went to Colombia, which was amazing.