As we learn in Kym Ellery’s CV, the Sydney-based fashion designer once worked as a hand model for Yoplait and before that worked in a surf shop in Perth. These days however, Ellery spends her time planning world domination through her eponymous label ELLERY, collaborating with the likes of Graz Mulcahy, Sportsgirl and artist Emily Fitzgerald, styling shoots and dressing the odd celeb. We caught up with the designer, stylist and former Russh Market Director to learn why it takes more than a “passion for fashion” to make it in this industry.
WORK EXPERIENCE
-Work Experience in the costume design department at the Western Australian Academy of Performing Arts.
-Surf Shop during teens
-Bridal Store also in my teens
-Scanlan and Theodore for my first 3 years in Sydney. I love this company.
-Alice McCall for but a moment helping her with the PR and general bits and bobs.
-Russh for a sweet 3.5years or so. Starting there for issue 4 onwards.
-After leaving Russh I continued Freelance Styling; shooting for Oyster, Yen, NO mag and Box.
-Studied for 1 year Fashion Certificate at Bently Tafe; Perth
-Attended St. Martins for a Summer School course.
-Started ELLERY in Jan 2007; Trevor Stones shot some pieces for VOGUE Australia and Tamila Purvis shot some for Russh before the label was even properly born. Thank you so much guys.
DRESSED
Madonna Request for music video
Emily Barclay; Actress
Victoria’s Secret Model Jess Hart
Abbey Lee a big fan after shooting with Greg Kadel for Australian Vogue
Sarah Murdoch; wife of Rupert Murdoch; Publisher
Jodhi Meares; ex-wife of ex-Publisher/Owner of ACP James Packer
Jennifer Hawkins; ex-Miss Universe, a known favourite of Donald Trump and spokesperson for MYER
Lara Bingle; Campaign Spokesperson for AUSTRALIAN TOURISM and the face of SPEEDO swimwear.
Catherine McNeil; Australian supermodel, a favourite of Mario Testino who was put on an exclusive contract with Publishing House Conde Nast as soon as she arrived to work in New York.
Myf Shepperd; Australian Model turned Superstar, walking the catwalks of over 50 catwalk shows between Paris, Milan, London and New York last year.
Natasha Khan; Musician aka ‘Bat for Lashes’
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AWARDS
E L L E R Y was selected as a finalist for two of the most prestigious Australian Fashion Design Awards
– Finalist Qantas Spirit of youth Awards 2008
– Finalist for the WOOLMARK Designer of the year Award, sponsored by Vogue Australia and Woolmark (as part of L’oreal Melbourne Fashion Festival)
ON THE HORIZON
-Sportsgirl Collaboration instore April 2010.
-Exciting new winter collection; hopefully a show in early Nov; the collection will be very much based on medical/anatomy. I want an art installation show with a beat poet. But that is secret until we do it. I am OBSESSED with Paddington reservoir! It will be such an amazing location for a summer night.
-Graz Ellery sunnies were exciting
-Working on the artist collaboration to be shown at the MCA next RAFW with Artist Emily Fitzgerald; a gown piece
-Blogger Knight Cat very supportive in the US and consequently US Harpers and Vogue have been sniffing around.
THE INTERVIEW
How did you get into the industry that you’re into now? With sheer determination and the willingness to work for free and til all hours of the night.
What’s been your highlight of your career so far? Having Madonna’s Stylist contact my publicist for garments for a music video being shot in Milan. Whoah. Then emails from US Vogue and Harpers swiftly coming in behind.
Have their been any surreal or really crazy moments? Lots of crazy ones which I think could also be seen as surreal but no good surreal moments as yet. They are in the pipelines though. I can feel it in my waters.
In your life has there been a job yet that you’ve really hated? I was a hand model for Yoplait. Can you handle that? I still claim in sometimes. Okay… all the time.
Have you reached your ultimate career goal yet or are there still things you want to achieve? There are so many more things I can’t wait to achieve. World Domination for example. I also hope to open a boutique in Paris one day and have a team of people that can help my vision come to fruition.
What advice would you give to people looking for a career similar to yours? Don’t do it. I would recommend a career that involves really high salaries and low work hours.
Did you always know that you wanted to go into that industry? I sure did. I don’t do it because I want to. I do it because I must.
Was there ever a certain person or defining moment that influenced you as a person? I worked with a real a-hole once at a surf store in Perth when I was but a teenager. He taught me how to stand up for myself.
What are the highs and lows of your job? Late nights, sore necks, seeing the fruit of my labour hanging on the rack in front of me and seeing people excited about my work.
If you weren’t doing what you’re doing, what’s another career path you might have taken? I would definitely be an interpretive dancer. Or someone’s muse.
What are you working on at the moment? My new Fall Winter 2010 Collection. It is all about the body and peeling the layers back.
What do you hope to be doing 5-10 years down the track? Lying on a yacht.
If you could trade places with one person for a day who would it be? Carine Roitfeld. Because she is COOL. She invented COOL and has the COOLEST Job in the world. Oh. My. God.
What or who has been inspirational to you throughout your career or life in general? Carine for sure. Also and my sweet Ma, Pa and family. And my little lambs.
