Australian designer Marnie Skillings has opened up about plans for the future, following her decision to close curtains on her label.
As recently reported on ragtrader.com.au, Skillings advised she would be winding up her successful business after 12 years, in an email sent to select members of the industry last month.
Commenting on the decision, Skillings said the final call was made on a variety of factors, including the impact of the economic downturn on her retail operation – a boutique at 'The Intersection' in Paddington.
Going forward, Skillings said she will focus on fulfilling her “true passion” and concentrate on building her fashion consulting business, which will trade under the same name as her eponymous clothing label.
“Anyone who has done it [run a fashion label] or does it can vouch is a lot of work and a lot less time actually designing and being a creative. I think life is about fulfilling your true passion, mine is and always has been to be a creative, so I decided the time was right to focus on that,” she said.
The consultancy business, which Skilling's has run simultaneously since the start of her label in 2000, will operate out of her own studio, and will cater to a wide variety of private clients from other fashion businesses, advertising agencies and events companies.
Services from Skilling's fashion consultancy firm will range from trend forecasting, shape and print development, knitwear and range design work, and styling, to visual merchandising and creative direction, guest designing, creative consulting on event concepts, guest blogging, and social media contributions.
