75 Quotes by Emilia Wickstead

We're creating a brand image which didn't exist in the beginning, and I want to grow that. And in the way that the clothes and services we offer are a luxurious niche, I want to be doing that with accessories.

I saw a niche in the market where made-to-measure wasn't being done in a modern, fresh way or in a short period of time. Traditionally, bespoke orders take a very long time, but I thought, 'Here we are with all these fashion-forward ideas - why not?'

I put myself into another world and another identity, and I design not for how my life is but for how my imaginary life is.

I'd like to think we can make a nice, glowing change to British dressing.

I was so young when I started, my taste has changed and developed, and I've gone from being a little bit safe to trying different things.

A lot of people ask, 'How did you start the business, and how did you do it money-wise?' And the truth is that I had three jobs. A day job, an evening job, and then designing my collection as well. That's just how we did it.

If I'd really known how hard I was going to have to work behind the scenes to have any kind of business, I think I would have stopped.

My grandmother, Amalia Pia Emilia Vignola, whom I called Nonna, brought out the fairy tale in everything. She used to tuck me into bed so vigorously that I never felt anything less than comforted, and then afterwards, she would sit on a cane basket box next to my bed and read Hans Christian Andersen to me.

I attended speech and drama classes with a nun to help me gain confidence in speaking without my face turning red each time.