Simply perfect

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Simply perfect

Edinburgh-born and raised fashion designer Holly Fulton was once described as “the Scottish Roberto Cavalli”, and her distinctively glamorous style has certainly captured the imagination of one of the UK’s best-loved beauty brands

Ever the optimist, fashion designer Holly Fulton aims to reflect positivity, authenticity and strength in all of her creations. Having graduated with a BA in Fashion from the Edinburgh College of Art, Holly worked in the Lanvin accessories team in Paris before launching her own label.

Now renowned for her beautiful prints – which she draws by hand – Holly is one of the biggest stars on the London Fashion Week scene. And her unique style has led to a collaboration with one of the UK’s best-known beauty brands, Simple skincare.

We caught up with Holly in the run-up to this year’s London Fashion Week to find out more about the Simple x Holly Fulton Limited Edition Collection.

Is this your first foray into the world of beauty?

Yes, this is my first beauty project. It’s really exciting. Fashion and beauty are so closely linked, it just seemed like a natural next step.

How did the collaboration come about?

I started talking to Simple in February about this project. The brand has a similar ethos to myself, so it felt like a natural fit for us as a brand. Simple is a leader in its field and an everyday skincare staple, so it just made sense to work together.

When you were growing up in Edinburgh, did you ever dream you’d be an international fashion designer working with one of the UK’s favourite beauty brands?

No – I could never have imagined how big this would become. I was always keen on fashion, but I started out wanting to be a vet. I decided I’d be rubbish at that as I’m too soft and at 16 I realised I should have studied art, so that’s what I did.

Is the Simple skincare ethos a good fit for your own as a designer?

We share the same ethos. Simple’s message of kindness and its appeal to such a diverse demographic of people is exactly what we share as a brand.

How did you decide on your finished design for the limited-edition wipes packaging?

I wanted to do something completely new for Simple, to step away from the green and to do something that celebrates women. Black and white is my favourite combination.

How long did the process take from when you were approached by Simple to seeing the products on shelf?

It took about six months from the initial meeting to when the packs appeared on shelf on 26 August. I did various designs and just really wanted to create a point of difference, but still with my signature style.

What was the best part of the process for you?

Seeing the finished products in store has been the best part for me. It’s always exciting to see my work in a new context.

And the worst?

Going through all the designs and narrowing them down was difficult, but Simple chose my favourite design, so that was great.

Had you used Simple skincare prior to your collaboration with the brand?

Yes, I do use Simple – it’s so gentle and great for my sensitive Scottish skin. I use the make-up remover and wipes, of course. It was actually my boyfriend who introduced me to Simple – he uses it all the time.

Does London Fashion Week and all the stress it entails have an impact on your skin?

It has a huge impact on my skin. The long hours, the stress, tiredness, fatigue and eating naughty things all have an effect. We cope with this by staying hydrated, drinking lots of water and using mists – I go round misting everyone. We use wipes when it’s late for a quick refresh, too.

Skin that appears flawless on the runway must be an important consideration for you because it will help to show off your designs to their best advantage. Do you find that some of the models you work with struggle to keep their skin clear?

Models are under so much pressure and it’s so hard on their skin. They wear heavy make-up, it’s removed regularly and they are exhausted. That’s where the wipes help – they are gentle and can remove make-up quickly.

How do you decide on the hair and make-up look for each of your collections?

We work closely with our teams. I give them ideas, but they always come up with amazing concepts – far better than I can imagine. We use strong women as muses. We don’t copy their look, but use them for inspiration. Last season our muse was Baba Beaton, sister of renowned photographer Sir Cecil Beaton.

What has inspired your collection for London Fashion Week this year?

Like all of my collections, it’s inspired by strong women and their spirit.

How long does it take to put a collection together and how many people work with you?

It takes around three months to put a collection together. There are eight full-time people who work on the team, but in the lead-up to Fashion Week, we have around 20 people in the studio and 15 to 20 people for casting. So, on average, there are 40 people working on a campaign.

What will you do when London Fashion Week is over?

Have a long lie in, eat naughty things like fish and chips and drink champagne, catch up on things like Bargain Hunt that I never get to watch and then take a really long bath. Then it’s back in the studio to prepare for Paris Fashion Week.

Would you ever consider doing your own line of beauty products, or perhaps a fragrance?

I never say never. For now, I would prefer to partner with leaders in their field because we are not set up to create beauty ranges, but I would never rule it out.

If you did have your own fragrance, what kind of scent would it be?

I like light, fresh scents like Issy Miyake, so it would be something like that.

Which of your achievements are you most proud of?

Getting the business to this level and having a great team. I’ve won fashion awards, which mean a lot, but I’d never have imagined it would become this. I’m really proud to see our creative vision come to life.

What’s the next ambition you’d like to achieve?

I would love to diversify and collaborate with maybe an interiors designer. I’d love to see my print on furniture or textiles.

And what’s your ultimate goal, both career wise and on a personal level?

Career wise, it’s about diversifying. On a personal level, I’d love to get a cat and take more holidays.

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