Greenblut Podcast

Greenblut FM Episode 2: Katharine Hamnett

Katharine started her career in 1969. But let’s jump back to 1984 where Katharine was part of the ‘Big Four’ fashion show in Tokyo.Together with Comme Des Garcons, Yohji Yamamoto and Jean Paul Gaultier she was part of a showcase for what was then considered, as the best fashion designers in the world.
Gast:
Katharine Hamnett

Katharine is a star maker, launching the careers of many world famous models, giving Claudia Schiffer, Kate Moss, Nadja Auermann and Milla Jovovich their first advertising jobs and Naomi Campbell her first catwalk show.She also gave the first break to some of the some of the world’s leading fashion photographers, Ellen Von Unwerth, Juergen Teller and Terry Richardson.

In 1989, just checking that her business was conforming to the Buddhist principle of Right Livelihood, Katharine Hamnett initiated research into the impact of the clothing and textile industry on the environment. To her shock and horror it revealed an untenable situation.

So. listen to our talk with the „Queen of Green“ Katherine Hamnett

In this Episode we talk about:

  • The Key Factors that made her successful
  • The Golden Age of Art Education in the UK
  • Starting as a Freelancer
  • How to get paid as a freelancer
  • Katharine advice to young Fashion Designers
  • Starting a brand with a baby
  • Spotting and working with Emerging Artists and Talent without money
  • Work with the Genius group Renzo Rosso and Adriano Goldsmith
  • Inventing Stretch Denim and  Stonewash
  • Making Fashion History
  • John Galliano and Martin Margiela
  • Inventing the Slogan Shirt
  • It’s not enough doing T-Shirts
  • The roots of 68
  • Moving into politics
  • The making of the most famous Fashion Pictures
  • Being rude to Margaret Thatcher
  • Beyond living the fashion designers dream
  • from Fashion Designer to activist
  • Dogs in the office
  • Getting the money with a TV Team
  • Hunting for organic cotton
  • Loosing Licensee contracts
  • A Trip to Mali
  • organic cotton vs. conventional cotton
  • Getting involved in politics
  • E campaigning

Show Notes Links, and Resources Mentioned in this Episode:

Katharine Hamnett

Central St. Martins

Katharine Hamnett Blog

Northern Soul

Adriano Goldschmied

Band-Aid

Margaret Thatcher Picture

Pesticide Action Network

Oxfam

THANKS FOR LISTENING!