THIS WEEK I was lucky enough to sit down for a chinwag with British fashion designer Julia Clancey. Although based in Los Angeles, Julia’s clothes have dazzled the world over in acclaimed shows in London and New York and even Dubai Fashion Week. Her creations have been featured in magazines including Vogue and ELLE and Harpers Bazaar.
The petite brunette has spent the last couple of years focusing and developing her sophisticated accessory line. Her attention to detail and love of vintage led to the creation of her latest collection showing at Palm Springs Fashion Week when it debuts in mid-November. This will see Clancey take to the runway with her longtime muse and best friend, model and author – Lady Victoria Hervey.
Her target market is 25-to 70-year-olds. Representative garments are ballet skirts, baby-doll dresses, chic turbans (which have recently become her trademark), and crystal-encrusted accessories.
Clancey describes her aesthetic as glamorous and fun, and says her clothes are, “Floaty and very feminine based on silk georgettes, chiffons, and satins.”
Clancy’s first ten years in the fashion industry saw her cut her teeth in various capacities, including Editor of ‘Large’ magazine and Fashion Editor of ‘Cream’ magazine in Sydney, Australia. She also made a name for herself by styling for musicians as well as taking on numerous advertising campaigns and creative projects. Over the years, A-list celebrity clients, including Victoria Beckham, Dita Von Teese, Paris Hilton, Lindsay Lohan, Megan Fox, Mischa Barton and Cameron Diaz noticed her work.
Clancey regularly shows her collection during London Fashion Week. Notable press includes garments featured in the pages of Vogue, Glamour, InStyle, ELLE, GQ, FHM, and Tattler. Julia Clancey products are sold in boutiques in England, France, Spain, Australia, Saudi Arabia, Lebanon, Kuwait, and Russia. Her primary business is done domestically, in London. The clothing of the 1920s influenced Clancey’s Fall 2007 collection.
This November Julia unveils The Riviera Collection at Palm Springs Fashion Week – Palm Springs. Vibrant magentas, pineapple yellow, papaya and watermelon green delightfully clash with a selection of lilac, peach and ice pink sorbets in a luxurious collection of voluminous kaftans, tops, robes, and summer gowns with matching headscarves. Brilliant whites teamed with gold and silver ties. All in cooling cotton silk and cotton satin carefully hand embroidered with gold sequins.
She says, “The inspiration? Very Elizabeth Taylor meets Cleopatra on the French Riviera.”
Oo-la-la!
Sean Borg: Welcome! What brings you to Palm Springs?
Julia Clancey: I am going to be showcasing my resort collection Palm Springs Fashion Week and bringing along my brother and his line, Andrew Clancey.
SB: You seem to love Palm Springs. You are here a lot.
JC: I fell in love with Palm Springs when I first visited about 6 years ago. I love the architecture, dramatic landscape, and climate. I love the old Hollywood influence and the history of Palm Springs. The time I stayed at the Parker I remember wandering around the grounds alone late at night with a martini thinking it should be my home. I adore Melvyn’s too and I am hoping I can squeeze in a visit.
SB: What sparked your early interest in fashion?
JC: I think I have always had an interest in dressing up and I used to design outfits when I was very young, although my only style guide was the Freeman’s catalogue. It was a progression. It took many years as I had many other jobs first.
SB: What skills are important for a successful career in fashion design?
JC: I am self-taught so never went to college. London is a bit snobby so I was never accepted as I did not go to (famed design school) St. Martins, and the snobby side of fashion very amusing…it is a lot of hard work and you need to be incredibly patient and focused.
SB: What made you take fashion more seriously and make a career out of it?
JC: I tend to do what makes me happy and making dresses made me happy. You cannot do it for the money, as the hours you put in are never ending. I was a fashion stylist before too so it really was a natural progression.
SB: How has your work evolved since you began your own label?
JC: There are still signature styles from my first collection that carry through to today. I’ve now had time to really create my signature style. I love dressing up, so I design for the woman that embraces that too. It amuses me when people say they adore my collection but have nowhere to wear it to. You make it happen, you create that situation!
SB: Are there any types of clothing that you avoid wearing or designing?
JC: Dungarees! Although, I do love a good jumpsuit. So, never say never to a Dungaree… However, I would market the designs as jumpsuits, definitely!
SB: What are you fascinated by right now and how does it shape your work?
JC: I am really getting back into doing gowns again. I said I would not go back into it. I am also designing a luxury yacht tender from concept and it is an incredible process. I’m hoping to do more after this one. It is always great to keep learning something new. I’m not sure I will sell many yachts in Palm Springs…but…
SB: What advice would you give to young designers?
JC: Have an understanding of your brand and where you see it. The fashion and retail industry is not in great shape and there is lots of competition, so what sets you apart from everyone else? Do you have rich parents or a sugar daddy? As you may need one…ha-ha
SB: What would you like to achieve before the end of the year?
JC: A few days off and being totally pampered. I am in desperate need of spa days. I would love to cycle through Joshua Tree too. I may be coming back…or not leaving Palm Springs for a while. Ha-ha.
SB: How do you stay up to date with fashion?
JC: I pay no attention to fashion and never have apart from when I was styling. I do not look at what other people are doing.
SB: Who is the most famous person to wear you?
JC: Gosh, well I did some accessories for Madonna’s tour. I dressed her dancers, but still great. Keira Knightly wore a headpiece. Dita Von Teese always looks incredible in any of the pieces. Oh, back in the day even Victoria Beckham. There have been a few and all very special to me for different reasons. The most exciting were when Prince contacted me to buy dresses for one of his artists for the Golden Globes, Grammys, and the Oscars. That was crazy…I was very shattered afterward.
SB: You worked with actress and Vogue cover girl Sienna Miller, how was that?
JC: I worked with her on Bernard Rose’s film, ‘Two Jacks’, and it was incredible. I had been saving this dress for the right person for years and then this lm comes along. I worked with some great actresses on that film and adored scenes with Izabella Miko too as she was thrown up in the air whilst dancing in one of the gowns. I love seeing the dresses coming to life and use a lot of fabric for the movement.
SB: Tell me about the collection at Palm Springs Fashion Week.
JC: It is a resort collection made from silk cotton, cotton, satin, and silk. Hand embroidered. All one size. Very luxe. All ages. I called it the Riviera Collection but we could call it Palm Springs…ha-ha…
SB: What’s next for the Julia Clancey Empire?
JC: Well once the yacht is done maybe private jets, hotels? Ha-ha, who knows? I would love a holiday home in Palm Springs!
