Having worked for many other designers and other people for many years, Jackie Fazekas finally decided to go out on her own with her label “Made By Name“. The Melbourne based designer tells us the story behind her journey to starting her own business.
Name: Jackie Fazekas
Age: 29
Occupation: Creative Director of Made By Name
What did you study and what was your original intended career path?
I studied a bit of fashion design and did a lot of internships with designers both here and in Berlin. I found that I got a lot more out of being hands on then I did in a classroom.
Give us a brief background on your career to date:
I have done everything from assistant designer to creative markets like the Rooftop Market in Curtain House. I have also ran fashion agencies as well as done contract work in sales for independent designers before deciding to go out on my own to start Made by Name.
How did Made by Name come about?
After 14 years of working in the industry for other designers I really craved designing for myself and decided it was finally time to give my own label a go!
What is the inspiration behind your work?
I have always loved Scandinavian design, which I see as simple with a twist. I also love the idea of something that people use and see every day and changing it to a high fashion piece. Its so exciting how can you take that and create something completely different in the end.
What are some of the most exciting parts of running your own business?
I have to say the most exciting thing of all is walking down the street and seeing someone wearing one of my pieces. I just want to yell out say thank you! It’s so nice after all your hard work that you get to see someone loving it and feeling special in it.
What has been some of the biggest challenges for you?
I hadn’t done a lot of production in the past so getting my head around that was a huge challenge but now that I have done it I know I can again!
What advice would you give to someone wanting to start his or her own business?
I would tell them it’s not easy but to make sure you keep positive even when it takes time to build your label up. If you work hard I like to think it will pay off for you!
How do you define success?
My dream and definition of success is to be able to work for myself full time one day and be able to design things that people adore full time!
What would you say to your 21 year old self?
Travel lots for inspiration in life and design!
What person dead or alive would you invite to a dinner party and why?
I would really love to meet Henrik Vibscov, I am so inspired by him. He designs what he loves, creates art that he loves and has an extremely successful business doing it. I would love to pick his brain about it all!
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