A Moment with…Frances Carrington from Eternal Creation
Posted: November 18th, 2008Today I’d like to introduce you to the designer behind renown baby and kids’ fashion label Eternal Creation, expatriate Australian Frances Carrington.
Heading up her remarkable company from Dharamsala – home to the Dalai Lama – at the foothills of the Himalyas in India, Frances built Eternal Creation from the ground up with an ethos of caring for and respecting her employees, and her story is enthralling.
Frances lives and works in India with her fellow-expat partner, Rory, the graphic designer responsible for Eternal Creation’s stunning website, and their children Imogen Ayasha, 5 ½ years, and Oscar Felix, 3 ½ years old.
Enjoy, and be inspired, as I did! – Angela.
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Tell us a little about your business?
I started Eternal Creation in 1999 after spending 2 years working as a volunteer in Dharamsala. I loved working in India, and wanted to find a way to use my skills to help the local Tibetan population. I started with two tailors, designing women’s sleepwear and accessories. I continued to train tailors, and very soon I had 7, then 15, then 25…and now almost 80 employees. As our workshop grew I hired more skilled employees (e.g. cutters and pattern makers from Delhi), but generally I have tried to train local people and give them a chance to move up the ladder and improve their skills.
What inspires your work?
Definitely my children! The children’s collection started shortly after Imogen was born, and has since almost completely swamped the women’s wear. I had a very hard time with the boys collection until Oscar was born; then I finally understood how the clothing needs of little boys- a lot less decorative and more sturdy! India is a great inspiration as well, boundless colour in amazing and surprising combinations are everywhere you look. No grey, black or navy blue here!
You’re an Australian living and working in the Himalayas: what’s it like?
There’s really never a dull moment! It can be terribly frustrating at times though- we have regular power cuts, internet problems, monkeys in the phone lines, and the second highest rainfall in India (it rains non stop from June to September!) Not a logical place to start a business at all, but the people are simply wonderful, and the views of the mountains from our house and the workshop are incredible. When the Dalai Lama visited our workshop and gave me his blessing, well, that pretty much sealed it for me!
What is the most exciting thing about being a fashion designer?
Definitely shopping for fabrics & trims! One of my favourite places is Kinari Bazaar in Delhi, which is a narrow lane crammed with hundreds of tiny shops selling every shade of sparkling sequin, ribbons, buttons and beads. This is heaven for me! I have always been very colour orientated, and base nearly all my designs on interesting colour and textural combinations.
The other really exciting aspect is working on a new collection. It’s a great process, and ridiculously stressful…should we use this pink ribbon, or go a shade darker? As if there aren’t more important things to worry about…but the wrong shade will ruin a dress!
What are your 5 favourite baby and kids designers?
My absolute favourite is Catamini, a French brand that use wonderful combination of colour and print. I also like Guess Kids, Kenzo and Monsoon, and I like the simplicity of Petit Bateau.
What advice would you like to give to others who would like to start a fashion design business?
Definitely do a course in accounting or business management. I had no skill in this area, and learnt the hard way, losing a lot of money early on. Only about 5% of my time is actually spent designing- the rest of it is training staff and delegating. Be prepared to do everything!
Eternal Creation are offering KSF readers 20% off the full range of Summer 08/09 stock until 21 November – view the full details here.
Wonderful interview, how lovely to have your business blessed by the Dalai Lama.
November 21st, 2008 at 8:48 am[...] KidStyleFile new & Reviews interview with Eternal Creation – http://www.eternalcreation.com designer Frances Carrington this week? If you haven’t, be sure to: Frances’ life and work is truly [...]
November 22nd, 2008 at 9:49 am