Tamsin Cooper - Designer Profile

Tell us about your label
Tamsin Cooper fashion accessories, clothing and interior accessories are designed in Arrowtown, New Zealand and are exquisitely hand made in Vietnam. Tamsin Cooper designs are created from divine silk fabrics many of which are hand dyed and then beautifully hand embroidered and hand beaded in delicate detail.

How, why and when did you get involved in the fashion industry.
I began the Tamsin Cooper label in 2003 from my home in Arrowtown, New Zealand with just a small range of women's silk wallets and coin purses.
A holiday to Vietnam in 2002 inspired me to design products using exquisite hand embroidered detail perfected by age old techniques in the villages of northern Vietnam.
Since 2003 my range has grown to include an extensive range of fashion accessories, clothing, and interior accessories which over the last few years has gained national media acclaim. Drawing on experience and knowledge gleaned from my previous jobs as Arts Advisor and then Business Advisor for Film & Fashion for Dunedin City gave me confidence to create my own label.

What do you love about working in the fashion industry on a day to day basis?
I find it incredibly rewarding to be working daily with a wonderful creative team and with our colleagues in Vietnam as their culture and craftsmanship is constantly enriching and inspiring.
It is also a joy to receive wonderful feedback from our retailers and customers about our products, it just makes our day!

What is the downside to working in the fashion industry?
The constant deadlines of either launching a new season or designing another can be a stressful. Also when logistics such as couriers and the weather halt production, for example when it snows in Arrowtown the whole World stops and this can be frustrating. However there is always a silver lining and on a snow day we are often forced to take the day off and go sledging on the hill behind our workshop!

Who are your favourite designers and who or what are your influences
I am influenced and inspired by designers and fashions of the past, the extravagance of hand embroidery in the 17th and 18th Century and the beautiful creations of designers such as Lanvin. Travelling through Europe and Vietnam, reading books, watching movies, and the stunning environment of my home and the breathtaking views of snowy mountains and the vivid changing colours of each season are truly inspirational

How would you describe your range for the coming season?
The Summer 08-09 Fashion Accessory Collection feature's striking new season's shoulder bags, stunning silk beads and bangles, exquisite evening purses, elegant silk scarves in fresh palette of Summer brights. Tamsin also presents a new range of her sought after luxury travel bags. Tamsin's accessories are all delicately hand embroidered and beaded on silk. These stunning, sophisticated and timeless summer accessories are a must have in any fashionista's wardrobe

What are your plans for the future?
I am very excited about exporting to Japan; I look forward to growing our international customers and increasing the profile of our label globally.

What items can you not live with out
A selection of my new silk rose brooches in a selection of bright jewel colours, silk covered beads, a velvet evening coat, and my latest Saigon Rose hang bag and wallet...all Tamsin Cooper designs of course!