My guest today is a rising star of accessory fashion design, Patrick Ronan.0:05
Firstly, could you give us a picture of what accessory design is?0:11
An accessory is anything that is worn to enhance an outfit.0:16
Hats, bags, belts and scarves are all examples of accessories that add to the look of the clothes you wear.0:20
They put the finishing touches to your wardrobe.0:27
They are, if you like the icing on the cake.0:30
I create a range of different accessories for the styles that are in each season.0:33
You've been working a lot with some of the biggest names in fashion lately, haven't you?0:38
I've been very lucky to have been working with three of the leading Paris fashion houses in the past couple of years, designing accessories for their boutiques.0:42
I also have my own shop in London which sells my own line of luxury accessories.0:51
So I spend a lot of time in both places.0:56
Sometimes I wake up and I have to remember where I am.0:59
It's exciting though, because it's like I lead a double life.1:02
Half French, half English.1:06
So how did you get started in the business?1:08
I trained at the London College of Fashion.1:10
After I graduated, I started making hats and bags and selling them on a stall at Greenwich Market and they were very popular.1:13
But my big break came when Vogue magazine asked to use some of my stuff for a fashion shoot they were doing.1:20
What kind of materials do you use for your designs?1:26
I mainly use leather because it's so versatile.1:30
You can use it in so many different ways, and it comes in a wide variety of forms, from very soft to extra stiff.1:33
I don't use fur or other types of animal skins though, as I don't think it's ethically right to use parts of an animal if it's not something that you eat too.1:41
Would you say that your creations are eco friendly?1:50
I use only natural materials like leather and wool.1:55
Also, there are no artificial chemicals used in the dyes that color the materials I use.1:58
I think it's very important to protect the environment, and I think the fashion world in general is starting to realize this now as well.2:04
Many designers, like myself, are now making a lot of effort to ensure that our designs are not only beautiful to look at and own, but also that these goods cause no harm to the environment.2:12
What inspires you when you are working?2:24
All sorts of things, really.2:26
I spend a lot of time in museums and libraries researching fashion accessories from the past.2:28
That helps me to get some basic ideas.2:34
And then I try to take the old and bring something new to it, make it modern.2:36
I also get a lot of ideas from nature.2:42
Like the shape of a leaf or flower can end up being a new bag design, for instance.2:44
I think as a designer, you have to be aware of everything going on around you.2:50
So what's next on your fashion horizons?2:55
A well deserved holiday in the Caribbean is what I dream of.2:57
Oh well, maybe next year if I'm lucky, I could really do with the rest.3:01
After my 6 months contract with Topshop, we produce lots of my designs for the mass market.3:06
I'm also very proud that I'll be doing some work on a BBC program for their costume department.3:12
They won't pay very much, but it really will be a lot of fun.3:17
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