Hello fashionistas,
So today don’t I have a treat for you! I have an exclusive interview with the lovely and the gorgeous Jessica Sheppard – blogger & creator of Copper Garden Shop, who has also been shortlisted for the Cosmo Blog Awards under ‘Best Established Fashion’ (amazing right!?). So here is the interview, I hope you enjoy reading it.
Name: Jess
Age: 21
Shop: coppergardenshop.bigcartel.com
Blog: www.copper-garden.co.uk
Hello Jessica, I love your shop! And that is part of the reason why I wanted to interview you (before your shop blows up!) as I love your tie dye kimono’s. What I wanted to know is when/how did you start your company?
Aw thank you, I’m actually quite shocked at the response to the shop so far – I thought it would be a slow burner! To be honest starting a shop was quite a ‘spur of the moment’ idea. It all came about because I saw some tie dyed clothing being sold for around £40+ and thought it was such a high price! As I’ve already studied fashion for two years (uni next week aah!) I knew different tie dye techniques, how to cut/sew and all the necessary things so I thought I’d give it a go. As you can tell it went well so I advertised on the app Depop which got a great response so thats how the store first began – I got 7 orders on the first night and its still going strong!
Your also a fashion blogger, who is shortlisted for Cosmo’s blog award ‘ Best Established Fashion’ Congratulations!. How did that come about? When did you start your blog?
Thank you! Never thought I’d be shortlisted in a million years so I’m over the moon about that! My blog started around August 2011 but I only had my webcam until getting a Nikon digital camera which still wasn’t too amazing so the picture quality put me off posting too much. In honesty, I’ve only been seriously blogging for about a year now with my Canon, lighting, tripod and a better attitude as I think my pictures and content are finally ‘blog worthy’. Before they were so bad you could hardly even tell what I was wearing!
I did try YouTube when I was about 16 but I gave it up through embarassment. I do wish I kept going though because now I’m so open about my blog and often use it as a talking point! I actually made a video a while back to inspire people to be more open about their blogs/youtube channels because I think its important to have the support of friends and family – my mums my biggest fan!!
Have you always love fashion or have you recently become to like or even love it?
I used to be such a fashion disaster. As a teenager, my favorite outfit was black skinny jeans with a striped top and a ripped black jacket – with converse and fingerless gloves. Fashionable right!? Its only since becoming older that I’ve really found my niche and experimented. Although, drawing fashion illustrations and following trends is something I’ve done for absolutely years so I guess that I’ve always loved it just never been very good at dressing myself!
I really love you style, I think it is casual, attainable but yet really cute and girly. How would you describe your style?
To be honest, you’ve hit the nail on the head because thats how I aim to make it! Some weeks I love florals and skirts, other weeks I love dressing in printed trousers or disco pants and a slouchy top. I vary it quite a lot because I enjoy playing around with what does and doesn’t suit me. I think thats quite key to finding your style, you need to know which colours/shapes suit you best and work with it. Saying that, mine depends on how I feel that day!
Who are you fashion idols or role models?
I love a bit of Rihanna, The Olsen Twins, Olivia Palermo, Alexa Chung – all the usual style icons really. I have to say, Miley Cyrus recently has caught my eye (but whos hasn’t she caught!). Some of her outfits are way too out there but others I absolutely love. Oh and Selena Gomez at the VMA’s was a definite yes for me – I’m interested as to where her style is evolving to, she is one to watch.
When you were younger what did you want to be & why?
A vet. Which is odd because I used to be petrified of animals and hated blood haha! I quickly changed that to a fashion designer because I liked drawing clothes which is ironic as its what my degree is in. Its pretty much what I’ve always wanted to do but I didn’t quite know how to get there.
Who are your favorite brands or designers?
Henry Holland, he is my love. I think House of Holland is my favorite because of the quirky designs and colours. Henry Holland pushes the mold in a way that other high end designers don’t – he is fun! He keeps outside of the stereotypical over the top shapes, etc and always promises color and clashing! Basically, if I do one thing in my life that I’m proud of, it will be interning or working for him at some point.
What is your wardrobe full of this year? (item of clothing, color or brand)
Over this year I’ve kind of mixed and matched. Being a student doesn’t allow for much in the way of a clothing budget, so I’ve had to make do with what I’ve got for the most part. I’ve actually started to love eBay quite a lot, they have some amazing shops on there which are so cheap because its from China – bonus for the price but waiting a month means its usually a surprise as I’ve forgotten what I ordered. Either way though, its a great way to pay next to nothing for some really good dupes of blogger favourites like the infamous Zara skort or the Wildfox jumpers.
My most worn item this year is my disco pants by far. I can’t get enough of them! When the hype of them began I kept away, it wasn’t until half way through their lifespan that I started liking them and now they’re basically gone but mine are still solid loves.
Do you follow fashion trends? If so which ones and why?
Each season I watch the trends which are emerging and I always research the collections for high street stores as well as designers – high street is always a much better indication of what to expect as the designers aren’t always ready to wear designs! I have to admit, this coming Autumn/Winter excites me too much for words, I can’t wait to see the colours and patterns because its definitely going to be my favorite yet. I’ve already brought a couple of pieces to whip out when the colder breezes come!
I wouldn’t think its necessarily important to follow trends but I just like to keep up and know what to expect. I guess it comes from studying Fashion Design as its part of my course to know. God, I literally live life surrounded by fashion don’t I? haha!
What is next for Copper Garden? Maybe a flagship store? Worldwide domination?
Yeah, I’m planning to take the whole of England by storm followed by the rest of Europe then America. My blog and shop will be huge by 2014.
Totally joking! I’m not one to try and predict the future as I hate tempting fate! It would be amazing but I’m definitely not looking for it to happen. As far as my shop is concerned, I’m planning to launch some Autumn/Winter stock in the form of a look book soon but depending on the uni workload depends how many new designs are added. After that, who knows, I’m just letting it all fall into place and going from there.
For my blog, I really don’t like to predict the future. I’m shocked at how my blog has grown in the year that I’ve actually given it some love so I don’t know where its going to go from here. Just looking back to August last year, my pictures weren’t good quality and my content was spread out, its strange to see growth like that. Even the way I look has changed a lot!
That’s the end of the interview,
If you want me to do more tweet me or comment
Lizzie
xxxxx
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