So, we got to hang with Emily, lover of bright things, stitcher of bright things and wearer of bright things. With a sense of humour that’ll literally make you spit your tea out, this beaut really has it all. She tells us about her unconventional route to design & how she goes about bossing herself around... or not!
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You definitely embrace colour texture and pattern, and make looking ‘cool’ seem so effortless. Were you a bit of a trendsetter at school too?
The school would probably say that I was more of a troublemaker than a trendsetter when it came to dress. I was very creative with the dress code and definitely had my own style. This being pre-internet days (ie. the stone age) I mixed a lot of styles like skater, hippy, punk, then started to discover vintage through some amazing cheap charity shops. Then I discovered pink hair dye and basically died of happiness. Maybe a mix of trendsetter & weirdo. |
Was it always your ambition to become a designer? If not, when did you realise?
I realised after spending years & serious cash on a university degree, and ending up in soul destroying office jobs that something had to change. If you have to go and cry in the toilets several times a day it is probably not the job for you. I was forced to really think about what made me happy, and water coolers and gossip were not it. So after a very chequered career path including potato fields, charity shops and bar work I went and retrained in fashion technology and manufacture at Cardonald College.
Was it obvious to you which route to take? Did you receive any support or advice as a teen that helped you on your way?
Not really, I pretty much figured this route out by myself. Because I got good grades it was always just assumed (including by me) that I would go down the academic route. Even though I was always really creative nobody ever suggested to me that I could go down that route as a career. Again, pre-internet days. I’m from a small town in the north east of Scotland. I might as well said that I wanted to be an alien.
I realised after spending years & serious cash on a university degree, and ending up in soul destroying office jobs that something had to change. If you have to go and cry in the toilets several times a day it is probably not the job for you. I was forced to really think about what made me happy, and water coolers and gossip were not it. So after a very chequered career path including potato fields, charity shops and bar work I went and retrained in fashion technology and manufacture at Cardonald College.
Was it obvious to you which route to take? Did you receive any support or advice as a teen that helped you on your way?
Not really, I pretty much figured this route out by myself. Because I got good grades it was always just assumed (including by me) that I would go down the academic route. Even though I was always really creative nobody ever suggested to me that I could go down that route as a career. Again, pre-internet days. I’m from a small town in the north east of Scotland. I might as well said that I wanted to be an alien.
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Best thing about your job? Most challenging thing?
The best thing is being surrounded by colour and beauty all day, and getting to be totally flexible and spontaneous with my working day. Frequent dance breaks also help. The most challenging thing is not being able to ever switch off, financial insecurity and isolation. What’s a standard day for you? There isn’t really a standard day. I could be sewing, directing a project with my interns, screen printing fabric, doing admin, discussing projects with other creatives, photographing, social media, chasing invoices, or totally skiving and drinking wine. |
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What’s the top three things on your to-do list today?
Photographing some of my new shopping bags, meeting with a photographer to discuss a potential collaboration and going on a hot date. Ha! (Although, if you don’t want to say that I am also discussing an upcoming Instagram take-over with a Scottish design company)
Tell us a little bit about your lovely studio. How important is it to have a nice place to work?
Well, I worked from home for years and I have to say, it’s amazing how many cups of tea and disco naps sneak their way into your working day. Also, it is really difficult to relax when your entire bedroom is covered in all of your work crap. So, for me it is really important. I need somewhere bright and peaceful that I can close the door on at the end of the day.
Most overused phrase in Emily Millichip HQ?
**Psst. Emily likes a wee swear to herself! We’ll leave it to your imagination - she did admit to “kind of hating sewing!” though!
Photographing some of my new shopping bags, meeting with a photographer to discuss a potential collaboration and going on a hot date. Ha! (Although, if you don’t want to say that I am also discussing an upcoming Instagram take-over with a Scottish design company)
Tell us a little bit about your lovely studio. How important is it to have a nice place to work?
Well, I worked from home for years and I have to say, it’s amazing how many cups of tea and disco naps sneak their way into your working day. Also, it is really difficult to relax when your entire bedroom is covered in all of your work crap. So, for me it is really important. I need somewhere bright and peaceful that I can close the door on at the end of the day.
Most overused phrase in Emily Millichip HQ?
**Psst. Emily likes a wee swear to herself! We’ll leave it to your imagination - she did admit to “kind of hating sewing!” though!
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Most treasured possession?
A silk kimono my mum gave me, my iPhone because I run my entire business from it, and a silver ring with a fossilised shark tooth that my best friend bought me in San Francisco.
Who is your greatest inspiration?
I love John Waters, Peggy Nolan (artist/designer), Carmen Miranda and Jen Gotch.
If you could turn the clock back, what advice would you give to your teenage self?
"REALISE THE POWER YOU HOLD AND USE
THAT SH*T FOR EVIL."
A silk kimono my mum gave me, my iPhone because I run my entire business from it, and a silver ring with a fossilised shark tooth that my best friend bought me in San Francisco.
Who is your greatest inspiration?
I love John Waters, Peggy Nolan (artist/designer), Carmen Miranda and Jen Gotch.
If you could turn the clock back, what advice would you give to your teenage self?
"REALISE THE POWER YOU HOLD AND USE
THAT SH*T FOR EVIL."
FIND EMILY:
FACEY / INSTA / TWITTS / WWW.EMILYMILLICHIP.COM
** This article was published in Issue Uno: The Wonderland Issue - back copies available here
Photography by the amazing Marissa Bruce
FACEY / INSTA / TWITTS / WWW.EMILYMILLICHIP.COM
** This article was published in Issue Uno: The Wonderland Issue - back copies available here
Photography by the amazing Marissa Bruce