Issue link: https://viewer.e-digitaleditions.com/i/94641
sheila I fashion NATASHA HINETT & ERICA ALLIA Raspberry + Pop Martini +Coz What is your background? Erica - My background was fashion retail and visual merchandising in WA and Victoria and then I went to Fashion School in Perth, which is small boutique/studio where I made and sold one off designs as well as other WA labels. Tash - My background was also Fashion Retail and went to Fashion School in Perth, then I landed a dream job at Moschino in London I got into buying and selling side of the business and have worked in fashion agencies ever since. How did you end up where you are today? Tash and I originally met working at Myer many years ago. Then we met up again through my sister who said that Tash and I would make a great fashion team. This is when I was deciding to start a new label and I guess Tash was there during the process, which then evolved to us doing the business and labels together...and we have never looked back! What to date has been your biggest failure? Luckily we haven't really had a real failure with our Labels (Martini + Coz and Raspberry + Pop) together. I guess it is more we started slowly and paid attention to what the retailers were asking for, and then created Raspberry + Pop from there. What to date has been your biggest success? fashion event we did with the All of the Above creative team called Two Lost Worlds. What items/experiences have inspired you? as our travels...but we can be inspired by anything really. It depends on the moment. your current collection/work? Our latest collection which we are showcasing at PFF is all inspired by the dream of one day going to Cuba. It is called Weekend in Havana and is about going on a holiday with your girlfriends, hanging out, having fun, relaxing feeling free. It is all about being a free spirit. Why do you think people have responded so well to your work? We try to keep our designs and ethos of our brand about being relaxed and comfortable in who you are and what you wear, creating pieces that can be worn anywhere and at anytime. What advice would you give to someone trying to break into your industry? Be patient, have perseverance and stay true to what and who you are as a designer and label. We also believe having mentors in your life and work helps you stay strong and positive during your journey to success. If money was no object and you could own any one object/item what would it be? One of our dreams is to own our own studio/home base in Bali, as we work/travel between both Perth and Bali constantly. A little piece of Bali Heaven.. being preferably in Nusa Lembogoan. 36 SHEILA SPRING 2012