How do you go from Human Resources to Stylist to Fashion Designer?
“My journey started off with not just a love for fashion, but an absolute obsession”. As many of our stylists and readers will empathise with this sentiment, it’s no wonder founder of Bais, Sylvia Bogdanowski’s career lead her to styling and fashion design.
Bogdanowski started out in the corporate world, working in human resources for over nine years. The now Founder of her own fashion label says, “looking back. it did not appeal to me at all…something needed to change.”
The designer completed her Certificate in Advanced Creative Styling at Australian Style Institute, and dove straight into a career of editorial and personal styling. The journey this creative was always meant to follow had begun.
“But it still wasn’t exactly what I wanted to do, styling gave me an excellent foundation to transition into design. I started styling, loved it, but knew it still wasn’t quite what I wanted to do. The course and my industry experience as a stylist, gave me hands on knowledge of a women’s body and the human behaviour components of style.”
“For me now I still get to style, but I style the garments for photoshoots that I’ve designed, it’s a very surreal experience.”
Who is the BAIS Woman?
“The Bais woman is someone who wants to look innately stylish but doesn’t always have the time to think about what she’s wearing.” Bogdanowski says, her designs are always about making the wearer feel good and be able to go to their wardrobe and know that all their pieces with go together.
The concept behind Bais is that the pieces are designed with this in mind with the use of neutral tones and classic cuts (with a twist!). “If you have a pair of loud print pants but don’t know what top to wear with it, Bais basics will fill that gap.”
What do you think the future landscape of fashion looks like?
As a new player in a game — that’s always changing — Bogdanowski says she’s still feeling her way around the current fashion landscape, including navigating the market, the production process and volatile nature of retail.
“There is no denying social media is planning a huge part, for my Instagram, but I think the future of retail is changing and the customer no longer wants to buy from a faceless label; they want to be able to connect.”
Bais is currently sold exclusively online, but Bogdanowski has plans to set up a women’s market, as the first place for customers to try-on, touch and feel the garments. She says that retail is reverting back to a desire from customer’s for a tangible experience.
For this Perth designer it seemed the transition from corporate to fashion styling flowed naturally.
Do you have an obsession with fashion? Styling courses may be your first step into the industry.
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During our interview series ‘Future of Fashion Perth’ we meet up some of the most influential faces, trailblazers and thought leaders of the WA fashion industry. From styling successes and designers, to business owners and entrepreneurs. We’re asking the right questions to learn and share with you.
