The
Local Designer Profile
question and answer series is designed to give you an intimate glimpse
into the background and artistic process of young movers and shakers in
the local fashion industry.
In five years burgeoning
fashion Designer
Anthea Bullard envisions her line Hardour Collection
with boutiques in the Caribbean and throughout the world. However the 29
year old’s immediate plans center on pulling off her premier fashion
show for Hardour Collection, to be held on December 5th at the Amnesia Grounds in Freeport, Grand Bahama.
Bullard describes Hardour
Collection as a high-end line of men and women's clothing consisting of
ready-to-wear and haute couture garments. Her pieces consist primarily
of gowns and cocktail dresses for women and suits and dress shirts for men.
Bullard made the choice to
pursue fashion design in 2004 and left her native Freeport for Los
Angeles where she was formally trained in fashion design at Santa Monica
College. Read on to take a peek into the design world of Anthea Bullard
and her line Hardour Collection.
What factors influenced your decision to study Fashion Design in Los Angeles?
It was a battle between Los
Angeles and New York but I chose Los Angeles because I had some friends
there that were doing reality T.V. at that time. That would allow me
exposure to many red carpet events where I could make the right
connections in the industry, so I thought it would be the best move.
Name your top three fashion designers and give one reason why you love their work.
Marchesa because her textile
embroidery creations are beautifully crafted designs. She creates
startling high fashion and she’s not afraid of risks.
Roberto Cavalli because of his
stunning print work and the way he depicts movement in his garments,
which compliments the body so well.
Valentino because I love his
attention to detail. I often compare myself to his methods of
production. He handles each garment as a work of art that must be
perfected and so do I.
What was the inspiration for Hardour Collection? Where did you get the name?
Hardour came from the word
Harbor, which is a haven or a safe place. Fashion has always been my
passion and my closet is my safe haven; it gives me comfort. I changed
the letter ‘b’ to a ‘d’ and pronounced it ‘Hardoor’ to add elegance and
grace to the word. Then a friend said “Hardour…What’s in your closet?” Perfect I thought. A closet is a safe haven. I guess that’s it, after that I knew I loved it!
How would you describe your personal approach to design.
I have two main approaches to designing.
1.
I
always design with a person in mind who is going to wear the garment. I
often use Michelle Obama and Barak Obama, lol. I think about their
lifestyle, their status, their income and where they would wear this
garment. After completion if it doesn’t fit their descriptions, I adjust
or scratch it.
2.
I go for a classic look in each garment. After
the garment is designed, I look back and if it can’t be worn 10-20
years from now and still make a fashion statement, I scratch it. I go
for classic looks, not trendy looks. I plan on HC being around forever!
What is your niche market?
My niche market is the woman or
man who appreciates quality fabrics, perfected construction and doesn’t
mind paying top dollar for it. A fashionable person who wants to make a
statement with what they’re wearing, that’s why Hardour isn’t just
fashion, it’s a lifestyle. I make only one garment of each design,
celebrities, socialites, politicians, first ladies, preachers’ wives,
divas, models and fashion forward individuals would purchase Hardour
Collection.
Do you have a ritual when it comes to designing or garment construction?
Pay attention to detail!
What’s your favorite trend for fall/winter 2010?
Zippers, scarves and shoals, they can always compliment a garment.
What is the greatest challenge you face as a fashion designer in the Bahamas?
Trying to get Bahamians
to think outside of the box when it comes to fashion. We as Bahamians
tend to follow fashion. Most people wait until someone else wears a
garment to consider it ok. Hardour is here to create fashion as oppose
to following. People often tell me “we in the Bahamas, we don’t dress
like that, you’re not in foreign,” but the minute they see a fellow
Bahamian wearing it then it becomes ok. I want to be a part of putting
the Bahamas on the map in the industry, the talent it here!
What is your greatest accomplishment in your career to date?
I won third place in a fashion
competition in Los Angeles amongst nearly 200 other great designers from
all over the world, including, USA, Japan, Africa, China and Sweden.
What sparked your desire to host a runway show in Freeport this December?
The Show in Freeport on December 5th is my launch premiere show. This will be the first time I exhibit Hardour Collection alone as a fashion line. I’m
taking the line on tour from Freeport to Nassau in March, Miami, LA,
NYC and so on, where I plan to open specialty boutiques and what better
place to begin the tour than where I was born and raised.
Where do you see yourself 5 years down the road?
I see myself as one of
the top designers with nearly half of my chain of specialty boutiques in
the Caribbean and throughout the world, beginning with The Bahamas and
ending in Paris or Dubai. In five years I plan to be almost half way there but with a huge buzz about HC.
You can learn more about Hardour Collection by visiting their Facebook page
Tyrina Talks Fashion
is your weekly serving of fashion forecasting, trend reporting, figure
analysis and helpful fashion tips and tricks. Email Tyrina with your
fashion questions and photos at tyrinaalicia@hotmail.com. Visit www.primadonasales.com
