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MSFW Q&A – Katherine Hampton from Camp Cove Swim
In 2013, Katherine Hampton started a swimwear line, Camp Cove Swim, which celebrated retro styling and Australiana.
The Sydney-based label is known for creating beautiful, comfortable designs that are ethically manufactured. Camp Cove Swim will feature at MSFW on September 2 as part of the runway show Designer – Closing Resort.
We were lucky enough to talk to Camp Cove Swim founder Katherine Hampton to find out all about her MSFW preparations and her amazing swimwear line.
Ticketmaster: Thank you so much for joining us. How are the preparations for MSFW coming along?
Katherine Hampton: Very well thank you! As it always is, things are a little frantic, but we do our best work in a panic! I am really excited about the new fabrics and cuts we have in the works and can’t wait to finally show everyone at MSFW!
Ticketmaster: How did you get into fashion?
Katherine: My mother was always sewing for my siblings and I growing up so I was exposed to the idea of being able to create clothing from a young age. I studied textiles in school and continued on to study fashion design at the Hunter Institute of TAFE in Newcastle as well as at Ultimo TAFE in Sydney. It was at TAFE that I learnt skills in pattern making, garment construction and about the fashion industry as a whole.
Ticketmaster: What makes Melbourne Spring Fashion Week so special?
Katherine: Melbourne Spring Fashion Week has such a well-rounded catalogue of events across the entire week. There are runway shows, exhibitions, workshops and so much more. Whatever your particular interests are in fashion, MSFW has something for you! MSFW is also such a fantastic opportunity to find out about new, local designers.
Ticketmaster: Which designers should we be looking out for – whose collections are you excited to see?
Katherine: I am very excited to see Stella Jean. She has such an amazing perspective on colours and prints, which equates in an unusually sophisticated aesthetic. Romance is Born always puts on a spectacular show and it’s great to see another Australian brand going from strength to strength.
Ticketmaster: What do you think will be the trends on the runway this season?
Katherine: I think nude colour palates will continue to dominate the runway. It’s a classic look and ties back to the environmentally friendly movement that continues to grow. Off-the-shoulder cuts represent another trend that is starting to appear in collections for summer. Even for swimwear.
Ticketmaster: What is the best thing about your job?
Katherine: Seeing people enjoying and feeling empowered when wearing our designs. The best feeling in the world is seeing a customer out at the beach or pool wearing a Camp Cove cossie. From time to time we receive emails or messages from customers just to say how much they love their cossie and how great they feel when wearing it. Camp Cove Swim exists for those moments.
Ticketmaster: How would you describe your personal style?
Katherine: A bit all over the shop is the best way to describe it. I wear a lot of vintage and I love to support other Australian labels and small brands whenever I can. I love anything high waisted and can’t go past a good jumpsuit. You’ll usually find me wearing vintage tee, high waisted jeans or shorts with Vans during the day and vintage jumpsuit with a pair of wooden clogs for evening.
Ticketmaster: Can you tell me about one of your biggest fashion mistakes?
Katherine: Dressing to impress other people rather than for myself. Everyone looks their best when they are comfortable and confident.
Ticketmaster: Thank you for talking to us. Best of luck at MSFW.
You can see Katherine’s Camp Cove Swim designs at Melbourne Spring Fashion Week as part of the MSFW: Designer – Closing Resort show on September 2. Click here to purchase Melbourne Spring Fashion Week tickets now.
