Fashion Week Q&A: Fourfontaine designer Mark Hurley
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Launched in 2003 by Mark Hurley, Fourfontaine is a New Zealand clothing label that specialises in streetwear, underwear and kidswear.
"Fourfontaine is all about streetwear that offers the styling and quality of the high end boutique streetwear labels at an affordable price," says Hurley.
Today the label has 60 stockists throughout the country, offers a comprehensive online store, ships internationally and recently opened their own flagship store in Nuffield St, Newmarket. Launched in 2003 by Mark Hurley, Fourfontaine is a New Zealand clothing label that specialises in streetwear, underwear and kidswear.
"Fourfontaine is all about streetwear that offers the styling and quality of the high end boutique streetwear labels at an affordable price," says Hurley.
Today the label has 60 stockists throughout the country, offers a comprehensive online store, ships internationally and recently opened their own flagship store in Nuffield St, Newmarket.During what hours of the day do you feel most inspired?
Late nights usually, once the phones stop ringing and emails stops streaming in....
How would a good friend describe your aesthetic or style?
Wearable but fashionable. Your everyday sorta cool.
What aspect of your creative practice gives you the biggest thrill?
Seeing people enjoying your creations, seeing people wearing Fourfontaine. It's always great to see the finished result after so much hard work.
How does your environment affect your work?
Our current work environment is great, our offices are behind our flagship store on Nuffield St, Newmarket. It's a great creative location with a constant finger on what's actually selling instore. We all really enjoy going to work there.
Do you like to look at the big picture or focus on the details?
I'm into the bigger picture.
What's your number one business tip for surviving (and thriving) in the creative industries?
Surround yourself with talented people who share your vision, and don't forget why people started buying your stuff in the first place!
Which of your projects to date has given you the most satisfaction?
Probably our Fashion Week debut! It was an amazing feeling to see something that started as a summer hobby in my mums garage rocking down a runway!
How did you get started in fashion?
Making t-shirts for my friends in my mum's garage in KeriKeri in the summer holidays of 2003, trying to make some money for boozy nights at the backpacker bars in Paihia!
Describe your collection and what inspired it.
The collection we showed at Fashion Week was Winter 2009, titled Just a Rascal. - Its about ashtrays, straight vodka, loud music, late nights, hard living. The rockstar lifestyle. Its definitely our most mature collection to date.
How much work goes into showing at fashion week?
More work than you can imagine! Add to that we had a documentary camera crew following us around everywhere and it was a pretty crazy time!
What tips do you have for designers aspiring to show at fashion week?
Put your head down work hard - keep people around you who keep you grounded.
What are your plans for the future? What do you see yourself and your label doing five years from now?
Growth within the Australian market... that's our number one focus for the next couple of years. In Five years who knows!
What are your hopes for the future of the New Zealand fashion industry?
That we keep growing as a fashion destination and that more NZ labels find a market around the world.
Why is fashion week an important event for the New Zealand fashion industry?
It puts NZ designed and inspired clothing on the map, and it's a great chance to showcase our labels to the world.
If you could go back and choose a completely different career path to the one you've chosen, what would it be?
I actually always wanted to be a doctor, I'm obsessed with surgery shows on tv and have a 15cm thick medical health guide which I have read front to back countless times!
What place is always with you, wherever you go?
My home town Kerikeri, in the Bay of Islands.
What's the best way to listen to music, and why?
Live! There is nothing like going to a concert, then everytime you play that bands CD you hear the concert again.
You are given a piece of string, a stick and some fabric. What do you make?
A kite.
What's the best stress relief advice you've ever been given?
Worrying is like a rocking chair, it gives you something to do but doesn't get you anywhere.
What's great about today?
It's sunny and warm!
What's your big idea for 2008?
Online commerce - admittedly not really my idea, but something I think is going to really take off in NZ during 2008!
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