A fashion designer and the founder of her eponymous womenswear label based in London.
We met at London Fashion Week where she was debuting her collection. I loved Florence’s rock’n’roll influence featuring metallic leather patchwork and signature stitching she developed herself, alongside nature inspired prints in wearable and simple silhouettes – all fully produced here in the UK.
“I like knowing people who develop my products – it’s a very personal process” she explains.
Read our interview with Florence and follow her journey on her instagram
TELL US ABOUT YOURSELF AND WHAT MADE YOU START DESIGNING YOUR OWN COLLECTION?
I’m from London born and raised. I’ve always loved to paint and draw which is how I ended up studying fashion design at university in New York and in Nottingham. After graduating and while working for various different designers in London I decided to start my own label creating wearable classic pieces specialising in digital prints / patchwork leather and shearling accessories.
HOW WOULD YOU DESCRIBE YOUR DESIGN AESTHETIC AND WHAT ARE YOUR COMPANIES ETHOS?
I like to keep the shape / silhouette of all my pieces as simple and easy to wear as possible and focus on the print / colour and texture of the garment. All aspects of my production are sourced in the UK from fabric printing to manufacture which is at the heart of our ethos.
WHAT IS YOUR SOURCE OF INSPIRATION??
Nature always inspires my print design – the best patterns are found in the natural world.
HOW DO YOU DEFINE SUCCESS?
Making people feel confident and happy means success to me.
YOU OBVIOUSLY HAVE A VERY BUSY SCHEDULE. WHAT DO YOU DO WHEN YOU’RE NOT WORKING?
When I’m not working I play piano and walk my dog on Hampstead Heath.
WHAT WOULD BE YOUR DREAM SHOOT OR COLLABORATION?
I would love to shoot my next collection in Holkham Hall in Norfolk – it has the most beautiful marble entrance hall which I think could make the perfect setting for a really cool short film / photoshoot. Juergen Teller would be my dream photographer to work with.
WHAT ADVICE WOULD YOU GIVE TO SOMEONE STARTING THEIR OWN BRAND?
Just keep going – and remind yourself of your achievements every now and again. Don’t constantly compare yourself to other people.
LET’S TALK ABOUT STYLE ICONS… WHO’S STYLE DO YOU ADMIRE THE MOST AND WHY?
I know it’s so obvious but Kate Moss always looks hot – just the right amount of dressed up / undressed
WHAT ARE YOUR KEY WARDROBE STAPLES FOR EVERYDAY DRESSING AND WHERE ARE THEY FROM?
One of my classic silk shirt dresses of course! I wear one most days for meetings / going out. I wear my plain black hammered silk version if I’m doing something serious and then a printed one for when I’m feeling more adventurous. All available from my website / Wolf and Badger.
WHAT’S ON YOUR PLAYLIST?
Chopin, Debussy, Rachmaninov, Amy Winehouse
FAVOURITE QUOTE OR WORDS YOU LIVE BY?
“Treat them mean keep them keen. ” I wish I could try and stick to this because it does work !
WHAT ITEMS ARE ON YOUR WISHLIST FOR THE UPCOMING SEASON?
A new Sophie Hulme bag mine is all stained from the Rain and I use it every day !
WEBSITE / WWW.FLORENCEBRIDGE.COM
IG / @FORENCEBRIDGE
