Collien Fernandes

A talented, young designer who has been developing her skills in the UK, Collien Fernandes now calls Paris her home. Having graduated with a first-class honours in Fashion Design from Central Saint Martins in London, she moved to France in search of great fashion opportunities and adventures. For the past five years, she has been a part of the Montblanc collective, creating a capsule collection each season, each piece inspired by the collection’s theme. We caught up with Collien to find out more about her exciting new venture, as well as her top tips for anyone considering a move to Paris.

ON HER MOVE FROM ENGLAND

For someone who has only ever lived in one place, moving to another country isn’t easy. Whether there are language barriers, cultures that clash, or just the sheer distance between you and your family, moving abroad is unquestionably a culture shock. For Collien, who is used to being surrounded by English culture, it was a case of learning a new language and making new friends. She credits her time at university in London for opening her eyes to the world of fashion and design, and states that she is thankful for the opportunity to continue her education in France.

“I spent a lot of time in London. I grew up there and went to university there, so it was a case of adapting to life in France. Fashion-wise, there’s a lot less freedom of expression in France. There are certain codes that you have to follow and there aren’t that many opportunities to explore. There are only so many stores that you can get creative in, so it was important for me to find my own way, to do my own thing.”

MADE IN PARIS

Having gained valuable experience in London, Collien decided that it was time for a change, seeking out new challenges and adventures. Her chance to work in Paris sounded perfect; not only is it the fashion capital of the world, but it also has a rich history, having been the home of the fashion houses of Chanel and Dior. So, with her trusty travel guide, the City of Lights, in hand, she set off for France, determined to make the most of her new life in the City of Fashion.

“I arrived in Paris and headed straight for the École des Beaux-Arts,” she recalls. “I wanted to apply for a visa to be able to work there, but there was a three-month wait, so I had to find a way to make the most of my time. I really wanted to work for a designer in Paris. I found a studio that was looking for a new creative director, and they gave me the position. It’s such an exciting time to be in the fashion industry in Paris. There’s so much opportunity, and the teams that you can work with are amazing. There’s been a lot of growth in a short space of time.”

COLLIEN’S RESPONSIBILITIES AT THE DESIGN HOUSE SHE WORKED FOR IN PARIS

Having worked for a while for a British brand, she was already familiar with the fashion industry in Paris, so she was able to hit the ground running, familiarising herself with the history and development of the city’s fashion houses. In addition to this rich cultural legacy, she also got to work with some of the greatest designers of all time, as well as learn from some of the most experienced creative directors. She had to juggle moving to a new city with starting a new job and adapting to the French education system, but she found the time to be thoroughly productive.

“I really enjoy my job,” she says. “I get to work with amazing people and there’s a lot of creative freedom. I get to explore different ways to present a fashion house and its designers. I get to travel a lot too, as the job takes me to different cities and places. It’s such an amazing opportunity.”

FROM CROCHET TO MADE TO ORDER

As well as working with top designers, Collien’s job also involved designing products for Héloïse Lignon, a French lifestyle brand, which she did on a freelance basis. This was a great opportunity for her, as she got to work with her favourite designers and work on projects that she could take pride in. It also introduced her to a different audience, as she was previously designing for the general public, but now she was getting to work for a luxury brand.

“I worked with these guys for about a year,” she says. “They’re a really special bunch of brands; they’ve been around for a while and have a great lifestyle brand, but they still have that indie spirit. They liked my designs and commissioned me to make some samples. I made them a range of crochet-to-match-the-theme pillowcases and duvet covers. They were really happy with the way that I understood what they were after.”

DESIGNS THAT MOTIVATED COLLIEN

From the start, she chose to work in a minimally-designed, monochrome range of prints, sticking to simple, clean shapes and classic colour palettes. She wanted to evoke an ‘English garden’ look, with designs that were as lush as the English countryside. She worked with palettes of green and cream, drawing inspiration from nature and the seasons. Natural fibres, like silk and cotton are also big in her designs, along with nudes, whites and pastels. When it comes to the textile side of her work, she draws her inspiration from 18th-century French designers.

“A lot of French fashion houses still use hand-me-down techniques from the 18th century,” she says. “They still wear 17th-century costumes and use materials like silk and satin. So, I get to play with that nostalgia too.”

A FASHION ICON IN PARIS

Collien is probably best known for her designs in collaboration with some of the world’s biggest fashion houses. She has worked with the likes of Dior and Chanel on projects, so it is fair to say that she has put her stamp on some memorable fashion moments. She especially loves to work on pieces that have a story, something that has come from the top down. As well as this, she is also responsible for the capsule collections that Montblanc puts out every season, each piece in the range inspired by the theme of the collection, which is a great opportunity to showcase her talent.

“One of my favourite projects that I did was for the Victoria Beckham collection,” she says. “I did the crocheted dress that she wore in the Spice Girls’ ‘Spice Up Your Life’ music video. I get to work with some wonderful brands and am really grateful to be in this position.”

TOP TIPS FOR ANYONE CONSIDERING A MOVE TO PARIS

If you are thinking about moving to Paris, or anywhere in France, for that matter, Collien has some advice for you. First of all, do your research. Learn as much as you can about the place, its people and its fashion industry. She also suggests that you look for a reputable agency that specialises in relocating people to new countries, as it could be a complex process that involves dealing with the application form, the visa and finding an apartment. You should also think about what you are looking for in terms of a future career. Do you want to work for a luxury brand, or are you looking to break into the field? The designer has plenty more advice for anyone thinking about moving to Paris, but you can read her blog post here to learn more.