She Shea INTERVIEW
Vintage and couture. Both have the appeal of owning something that no-one else has however both means completely differ. So what if you mix them together ? Enter She Shea, a Liverpool based fashion label creating bespoke pieces with a vintage vibe. Jessica O’Shea is the woman behind the business and as well as her last name, Jessica has put everything into her fashion, hand making and specialising every detail for each customer. With its current season on She Shea’s website, I spoke to Jessica about the past, present and future of her career and the company.
Ryan Martin – So let’s go back to the beginning, how did She Shea all start?
Jessica O’Shea - I studied at Liverpool Community college for three years and then graduated from Manchester Metropolitan University. I’ve always wanted to work for myself so I set up She Shea shortly after graduating. I did my work placement for Fatz Kassim for six weeks but I didn't enjoy creating other peoples designs in to garments, I wanted to create my own ideas. I didn't want to just do design, I wanted to learn how to pattern cut and garment manufacture so that I could create my ideas into garments. I do like designing but I get much more satisfaction from putting a garment together from start to finish.
RM- Where do you get your inspiration from when designing?
JO -Many different aspects in life can inspire a new idea like travelling around different countries. Sometimes a design will pop in to my head or I’ll dream of something and then sketch it down the next day, sometimes I can have an idea for a new design and then go fabric shopping and completely change my mind, I like experimenting on the stand, draping fabrics and experimenting with different cuts.
RM - Is there a specific piece or moment that stands out above the rest in your fashion career?
JO- I remember some time last year one of my dresses was copied by one of the high street fashion chains and it sold out in a matter of weeks, I kept getting messages from clients complaining that their one off garment wasn’t so one off but there wasn't much I could do about it. I was delighted to tell you the truth, they say imitation is the greatest form of flattery.
RM – When looking at your designs I think they definitely got the Liverpool girl style vibe, would you agree?
JO- I love the Liverpool girl style vibe, you can always spot her out from the crowd. She's always the most glamorous girl at the party taking great pride in her appearance and I would agree that I keep this in mind when designing a collection. I like to create pieces that are different to make you stand out but for all the right reasons because sometimes it can be taken too far and you need to find the balance. I much prefer designing glamorous garments as the opposite to the laid back cool style of London, I like attention to detail which is shown through the hand embellished detail displayed in the majority of my collection pieces.
RM- What would your advise be to someone hoping to be the next big fashion design?
JO- Simply just to go for it if your prepared to put in the hard work, it’s not an easy ride but that goes for most things that are worth working for.
RM- So without giving too much away with future collections, what’s next for She Shea ?
JO- Who Knows? I don't. I don't know where I’m going to get my next idea from, I just hope people like the next collection as much as the last.
(photography by matt ford)
Visit sheshea.com for the latest collection.
