Unpublished Interview with Betty Jackson

BETTY JACKSON INTERVIEW
'BUY QUALITY, NOT QUANTITY'


Betty Jackson, the woman who bought femininity back into fashion with
garments made to liberate the female form. Starting her career by working
alongside design legends Ossie Clark and Celia Birtwell, its not a surprise that
she has become an international success. The London Bug managed to pull her
away from her hectic work schedule to talk about her label and inspirations.

S.P - It's been nearly 30 years since you launched your own fashion label, what's the
secret in staying so successful?
B.J - No idea! Except that we love what we do and I think that’s quite
important.

S.P - How does it feel to have received an M.B.E and a C.B.E from Her Majesty the
Queen, for doing something you have passion and drive for?
B.J - It was a huge honour... Both times! And it’s always a thrill going
through the gates at Buckingham Palace.

S.P - How did you get into fashion design and know it was the right career path for you?
B.J - I knew when I went to Art College that I had found the creative
space I wanted to be in and fashion and textiles was the obvious choice
for me.

S.P - How did excepting Debenhams offers to create Betty Jackson's Black for their designer range help your career?
B.J - The Betty Jackson Black range allows us to reach a customer that we
wouldn’t necessarily reach with our main collection, so that’s already a
good thing... Plus they have stores throughout the UK, so we get
great distribution. We are careful, however, to keep the collections very
different from our own label so as not to confuse people, but we feel
very positive about the relationship.

S.P - If there was one thing about British fashion that you could change, what would it
be and why?
B.J - Buy quality not quantity.

S.P - How would you define London's style?
B.J - Very inspirational.

S.P - If you had to choose a British fashion designer to work alongside, who would it be
and why?
B.J - I’ve worked for myself for so long now, I’m not sure I could do a job
share!

S.P - How did the launch of your S/S10 collection go?
B.J - It wasn’t bad at all.... Considering we were in the middle of a very
serious recession.

S.P - What was your main inspirations for your S/S10 collection?
B.J - The women in a Jean-Luc Godard movie walking through Shanghai.

S.P - How successful has your S/S10 collection been so far?
B.J - We sold it well at wholesale, but it hasn’t hit the shops yet so we
have to wait for the retail reaction.

S.P - With A/W10 collection being shown this month, how have you coped with the
pressure of making sure everything is ready and up to the standard that is expected?
B.J - It’s what we do each season.

S.P - What was your inspiration for A/W10 collection?
B.J - This season’s collection, and in particular the prints, are heavily
inspired by the work of Turner Further inspiration for the collection
has come from the colours and textures of ceramics and lace, and
the richness of Arabia!

S.P - What advice would you give to anyone wanting to get into the fashion industry?
B.J - Love it to death!

S.P - Where can The London Bug readers buy your clothes?
B.J - From our flagship store in Brompton Road London, and in stockists
around the country.