Fashion done your own way by Molly Dutton progression of her career, creating a space for a fun and individual take on fashion trends.
The New Year is on its way which can bring about many mixed emotions, particularly with the current economic climate of our country. When I think about entering a new year, I try and stray away from the often toxic idea of “fresh starts” and strict goal setting. Whilst there is a lot of good to be found in setting realistic goals for ourselves each new year, I do wonder whether it creates a pressure that makes them impossible to meet; it can create a lot of unnecessary disappointment which can never be good. Instead, I prefer to have a think about what new adventures I can embark on, from weekend trips to online courses and everything in between. Last month I had the pleasure of speaking to a very successful fashion stylist, Ellis Ranson, who really got me thinking about how to achieve new things and find joy in brand new career opportunities. Having started a new job this year, I strongly believe that engaging with new challenges and putting yourself out there can bring a positivity to your life that can’t be found elsewhere. Sat in my kitchen on a very dreary afternoon, the wonderful Ellis brought lovely positivity to such a miserable day. Having worked in the fashion industry myself (on a much smaller platform might I add), I felt an immediate connection to her passion towards her career. Starting off as an ice-hockey player during her younger years, Ellis changed her career intentions as a result of watching her family members engage with the fashion industry. She said, “My aunt was a press officer for Phillip Green. She used to come home with bags of Tammy Girl clothes, so that was when I started to get an idea of fashion. Her and my mum were both massively into fashion.” Like myself, the women in her life had a huge impact on the 32 CARDIFF TIMES
This unique interpretation of fashion continued as she progressed through school, guiding her decision to attend Haven Sixth Form College where she studied fashion. Whilst completing this course, which she called “the worst fashion course I’ve ever done in my life”, Ellis was doubted by her mentor, an interaction which could have stilted her career in the fashion industry if it wasn’t for her admirable resilience. She said of the conversation, “I remember getting called into the office by my tutor and she said we just don’t think fashion’s really for you. And I just thought, I don’t think it’s fashion, I think it’s this college. I don’t think I’m going to get anywhere in here.” This was a moment in our conversation that resonated a lot with me as, for so many young creatives, an unsupportive environment can massively prevent them from persevering with their career goals. It was after this that Ellis discovered the Fashion Retail Academy, a distinguished fashion college in London. She interviewed with them and left her college to attend. The atmosphere at the Fashion Retail Academy was so different to the fashion scene
