April 11, 2011
frontliners: pip edwards at home
When photographer Kata Varga and I went to the home of Pip Edwards for Frontliners one Sunday at the end of last year, we got to see many sides of the fashion accessory designer's life. While we were chatting and taking photos outside her Paddington terrace a neighbour walked past. "Saw you in today's paper, Pip. Lookin' good!" Pip laughed. She was used to regular inclusion on the social pages. But Pip was very relaxed about it, happy to chat and joke to neighbours about what she was wearing. Her son Justice played outside with a couple of girls from across the street and Pip told us about how she'd gone from a commerce/law degree at Sydney Uni, to a corporate job at PricewaterhouseCoopers, and then into the world of fashion. She is most known for her time at Ksubi and launching her own label Notion of Legacy. Most recently Pip has been working at Sass & Bide, as senior creative and accessories designer. The feature of her home in Paddington is now live on Frontliners.
Which five words best describe you? Very-emotional, hard-working, Passionate, ambitious, high-energy.
How did you get your career start and what path have you taken since? I’ve had a few career changes. It started off in the corporate world doing risk management, and corporate restructuring for PwC. I then took a leap of faith into the fashion industry and have never looked back. From fashion PR, to design to styling and now back to designing. I love it, I love every inch of the industry.
What’s the best lesson you’ve learnt along the way? Stick to your passion. Work hard. Enjoy what you do.
What’s your proudest career achievement? Everything I have ever made I am proud of. I love making things. There has been so many elements to my career, they all build on each other, I am proud of where I am today and I know I deserve to be here.
What’s been your best decision? Coming to Sass & Bide has been an amazing experience. I have learnt more in the last two years than I have in the last 10 it feels like! I finally get to consolidate my experience and skill and passion of fashion in the one job. I love the girls, I love my team, I love what I do.
Who inspires you? My son, especially, my mother for being everything to me (I don’t know how she does it), my father, my beautiful and very talented and creative friends, my own dreams and my amazing boyfriend. They are all inspiring to me.
What are you passionate about? My son and his approach to life – I am passionate to learn from him as much as he learns from me.
Which person, living or dead, would you most like to meet? Madonna. Sophia Loren.
What dream do you still want to fulfil? I am living one of my dreams. I just want to make more beautiful things. My next dream would be to have a family unit – more children.
What are you reading? Two books: Roald Dahl's short stories in Kiss Kiss, and Maurice Terzini’s Something Italian cookbook – I have just found a passion to want to cook well. I’m most enjoying Maurice's stories.
images courtesy of frontliners and pip edwards