Julain Garner - MUM is the word...

23:40, 30/06/2014, An Instrumental Sunday (Spotify) playing in the background and here I am sat at our dining room table. Having just kissed my partner goodnight I told him that I missed him. Earlier we had a conversation about how I felt lonely.

Coming up to 4 months since I left my job in the hustle and bustle of London in the vain hope of creating my label, Julian Garner. Since I have left and I run into friends and acquaintances they ask me..."What are you doing now?"

I ask myself that everyday since I decided that a road full of challenge and possible disappoint was the one to take. However a big sacrifice for me now is, I am working alone.

 

There are times that I have found myself talking about my first collection as if I was presenting it to a room of people. If anybody were to see me they would think me mad. I assume that taking this road is rather mad. It's an eye opener and look forward to when my partner gets home or someone calls. I suppose not having distractions, beside me rambling on, is a possible piece to the completion of a vast puzzle.

 

So what have I done? I have set up my studio, shelves went up, although some not straight I did it!

 

I have rebranded my business card...if you see one please pick it up.

I commissioned a very talented artist, Kate Hayton, to make me a sculpture so I can re-shoot the headwear I have created on my website, www.JulianGarner.com. Isn't she beautiful...

 

The headpiece she wears is from the Hat Factor Competition that Grazia magazine held. Phillip Treacy, Stephen Jones, Paula Reed and the Editor of Grazia were present to judge. The feedback I got was overwhelming and inspired me to go on. Thank you.

Multimedia seems to be taking over my life, @TheJulianGarner on Twitter, THEJULIANGARNER on Instagram and Julian Garner Headwear on Facebook, https://www.facebook.com/JulianGarnerHeadwear, thank you for the LIKES..I always wish there was a LOVE option. 160 and growing!!!

I have sketched some great ideas, even if I say so myself, some have been bought to life and others are yet to be created. 

I am now added to the Hat Academy Milliners Map. Follow the below link to see...

 

http://hatacademy.com/profile/ChristopherGarner

 

At the end of this month I shall be attending the Millinery Summer School at the London College of Fashion. One cannot wait and look forward to meeting new talents and inspiring people as well as been in London. 

 

This of cause would not have happened if it wasn't for a woman that supports my choices and always gives me an honest answer, as well as answering the phone when I am working alone and need a pick up. My Mum...

 

 

A huge thank you Mum, it means the world that you are helping me on a journey that I am glad you will see unfold. Although at times I am sure you think I do not appreciate your efforts but I can guarantee you it's my nerves and pride talking. I will always be grateful and listen to your words of encouragement.

 

I am currently working on a commission for the Goodwood Horse Races for another supporter of Julian Garner. Sue Parham, thank you as always for your encouragement and belief.

 

These are all small steps towards something greater, hopefully one day. For now in my loneliness, I look forward to the day when I have created a monster and can sit in my studio chair in the early hours of the morning, fingers sore, and remind myself why I chose this road. As mentioned in the post, Julian Garner, I will document my journey and I have made a deal with myself as a way to remain grounded whether I fail or succeed that I will start to smell the roses when I spot them.

 

Life is too short to not try, to me not trying makes life seem shorter. 

 These smelt beautiful...

 

 

Keep going...01:28.

 

xoxo 

Lucy Mason

A couple of nights ago, well let's be honest here...a while ago I met a lovely lady who stood out amongst the generics mingling at the bar, pre cabaret show. Her name...Lucy Mason.

 

Celebrating a special night with her partner, they graced me with their presence at Madame Mu Mu. Lucy Mason is a Dental Nurse and I am sure that she would certainly look after you with her all round originality...her sky blue hair!!!

 

Dressed to kill in a rouge red, figure hugging, sweetheart neckline, pencil skirt dress as her weapon of choice she oozed an air of sexiness and elegance. The dress is from a hospice charity shop in the weald. Just goes to show that "This Old Thing" (great new programme on Channel 4) still has it.    

 

 

 

Teamed with a patent leather belt, a hat from M&S, umbrella and gloves from the gorgeous Hoopers in Royal Tunbridge Wells and that perfect little rockabilly, leopard print bag in a vanity case shape this look would not have being complete without the WOMAN wearing it.

 

She told me that sometimes she does Burlesque...for her partner...this lady is the femme fatale and a salute to an era wear sexiness and elegance walked the same street.

 

Lucy...I salute you.

 

xoxo 

Julian Garner

Five months since I last posted on ensem-BLAH, the last topic I wrote about was the incredibly inspiring Isabella Blow Fashion Galore Exhibition, held at Somerset House, curated by the brilliant Daphne Guinness. Whilst walking amongst the garments and beautiful headwear created by industry mentors Alexander McQueen, Philip Treacy and many, many, more I felt this urge of envy as I gazed upon their artistic expression. I felt my heart sink deeper into my body as I grew frustrated that this creative energy I have was not being used.

 

In a job that I thoroughly enjoyed and a company that has been by far the best I have ever worked for. An establishment with over 100 years of experience and knowledge, in retail, that I was reaping on a weekly basis. I was working for an in house label that had being grown from just cashmere jumpers to a leading brand amongst competitors that are the fashion world greats. I was inspired yet again by the energies that went into driving this forward however found that envy feeling creep in when designers were executing their artist ability. If anything I discovered that I was incredibly jealous of people who were doing what they wanted to do or at least working towards what they wanted to do.

 

Living in Kent and having to commute to London on a daily basis the travel added an extra cost to my dream of working in the fashion industry amongst overwhelming talents and inspiring people. I had to have a second job. The second job started at my old place of work, former manager, now I was a waiter. A step back but I felt when confronted with that remark..."you are back...why?" I would attack it with honesty and simply say..."I need the extra money." Then I would proudly mention where I worked because I was proud of it and enjoyed the environment thoroughly.

 

The owner of Mu Mu, the restaurant I am working in, decided to open another restaurant above the existing one and call it Madame Mu Mu. A cabaret restaurant with an atmosphere of decadence and an abundant amount of eccentricity. He would want a Drag Queen called Madame Mu Mu who will host and be the personality of the premises. 

 

My time in drag all started back in 2009 with a Halloween dress up night when I decided to dress as Doctor Frank 'n Furter from the Rocky Horror Picture Show. On this night comments were passed and a memory stored that would one day assist me later on in life.

 

 

He asked me to do it and I would start out on a much better wage for doing what I do best...being myself. It was a way to express my creative side, following the waves and feel for the place I started to create Madame Mu Mu. I told my then boss, another inspiring being, and chose to keep it on the down low given the fact I worked in such a traditional co-operate environment. It all started November 2012 and it just spiralled. My money went up and I started to be the in house DJ. I must admit, the worlds worst DJ.

 

 

Juggling my time between my full time job in London, working in Buying and Product Development and being a Drag Queen, I found yet another frustration...not been able to have time to execute enough creative energy as time was something I didn't have. Not only that but I didn't have enough time to be with the man that has supported me through so much, Mister Rob.

 

 

We started hosting Burlesque evenings and always up for a laugh, I stared compeering with a natural, off the cuff banter, ad lib, with the audience which eventually leaded into me doing my first ever burlesque striptease. Having gathered my garments, sweaty holdups and underwear, I returned back stage to be met with a comment that would start the ball rolling and allow me to execute this creative energy bring sketches to life. I couldn't believe it and started many a restless night and day dreaming moments before I even started giving each job equal consideration.

 

 

 

 

Should I leave behind a career that I worked so hard for and was good at for the luxury of working 2 days a week, (8 days a month), as a Drag Queen or give up being a Drag Queen to focus on a job that could really have taken me places. I seeked so many peoples advice and so many people said..."do it, take the jump." I was so scared as any normal human being would be but I had to reassure myself that if I took that offer and followed my dream I would not be losing out only gaining something. That something was time, we are all so short of it and here I was faced with it. Time to be able to focus working on an idea that I had when I was back in Junior School, Barwick School, Zimbabwe, of having a label called Julian Garner. My middle name and surname. 

 

I decided to take the jump and nervously handed in my notice to an establishment where I gained so much education and worked with an overwhelming amount of talented people. It was a sad occasion and remember after a phone call from a dear colleague , in accounts payable, the tears began rolling. It was later followed by a gorgeous leaving present and drinks in the hustle and bustle of SOHO!

 

 

The 28th of February was my last day and I felt so torn between a rock and a hard place and whether or not I was making a mistake or doing the right thing. A very inspiring person, after asking him, if I was doing the right thing his answer was simple..."I don't know." An answer with so much depth too but also confirmation that the only person who could answer that was myself.

 

 

I know I can do it but I just need to constantly reassure myself that all good things take time. Creating a label is not going to happen overnight. Where does one start? Slowly but surely things are coming together however having not sold anything I still have a job that pays for a living and most importantly time. If one thing life has taught me is that time, really is of the essence.

 

So my journey begins. In July I will begin a course in the beautiful Art of Millinery. An art that is so expressive and requires the full imagination in order to push boundaries and create a name attached with quality. Having self trained myself so far I have set up my website for the Headwear I have created. Check it out:

 

www.JulianGarner.com

 

 

 

 

 

I am slowly but surely putting together my studio and working on future ideas that will create collections that one day I hope to see amongst, industry mentors such as Phillip Treacy and Stephen Jones, the crowds of Ascot and many a beautiful event where Headwear is essential to complete a the clients look.

 

As the great Isabella Blow said;

 

"I don't uses a hat as a prop. I use it as a part of me."

 

So many days are yet to unravel in front of me and yet that feeling of envy, nerves, wanting, needing, waiting (alright Madonna) still haunt me yet guide that passion I have to create something I have longed for so many years. I have decided to document my journey of an up hill climb that I am undertaking as a way to look back on and appreciate why I started this in the first place.

 

Here goes...

 

xoxo