Taylor Made
Amy Taylor has always had a passion for the fashion industry, so it's no surprise that she has made a career out of it.
She first started sewing in primary school where she began making jewelry and hair braids for school friends, along with decorative cushions to sell in her mother's florist shop. The interest she received from family and friends fuelled her interest to make a name for herself in the fashion trade.
After graduating from year 10 in 2000, Taylor studied fashion design at St George TAFE in Kogarah, graduating in 2001 with a Certificate in Fashion Design. She spent the next year doing freelance fashion work, before being employed by a womenswear designer based in Sydney's Strand Arcade. She worked her way from retail to management, before moving into the production room, where she designed garments catering to mature professionals.
By the end of 2004 Taylor resigned from her job to branch out on her own.
"I wanted to establish my own label where I would have total creative control of my designs, and the freedom of doing what I want," she says.
Following her decision, Taylor studiously spent every waking moment designing and sewing a range of evening and casual wear, including dresses, skirts, tops and swimwear, under her self-titled label Amy Taylor Collections.
By early 2005, she had created enough clothes to stock a boutique. Although she didn't have the financial backing to take on a lease, a problem most young independent fashion designers face, she did the next best thing and booked a stand to showcase her creations at Sydney's Paddington Markets.
In just 18 months she had built up her label and was making considerable profit, which enabled her to open up her own boutique.
Located in Cronulla mall, the store boasts a range of apparel and accessories to suit women with a taste for style.
While the majority of women's fashion in Australia tends to follow international styles, 22-year-old Taylor diverges from mainstream trends in order to create her own niche.
Taylor, who claims to design for girls "who just want to fit in" says her designs are suited to accentuate a woman's body.
"They're fun, sexy and the majority of my garments are all 'one of a kind'."
As a designer, Taylor says she gets her best ideas when walking or jogging along the beach.
"I've grown up around a beach lifestyle, having lived in (or near) Cronulla all my life. It is a huge inspiration in my creations. A lot of my designs have a nautical theme."
Taylor made her fashion parade debut during the 2005 fashion week at the age of 20. She has since staged more than 20 fashion shows.
Her most recent fashion parade was held in her home suburb and featured a team of 15 models parading the latest creations from her North American Indian-inspired collection.
The Amy Taylor Collection brand has built a strong celebrity following, with the signature pieces being worn by such high profile clothes horses as former Miss Teen Australia and world champion water-skier Lauryn Eagle, former Big Brother contestant Krystal Forscutt and current Miss Teen Australia Ashleigh Seymour. Taylor also created a stunning gown for former client Sharni Vinson, which Vinson wore at the recent TV Week Logie Awards.
Looking forward Taylor is considering giving up Paddington markets in order to pursue distribution opportunities. She has had strong interest from fashion boutiques in Sydney wanting to stock her label, but with the task of sewing clothes for the markets and her own boutique, has been unable to keep up with demand.
She currently employs one casual and two part time sewers, but says "I want to get my label out there - to boutiques in Melbourne and Queensland - but will need to find more available sewers to do so".
Taylor is also adamant her garments are made in Australia, not overseas.
"I want my label to be authentic. Too many clothing labels outsource overseas because it's cheaper, but to me it's more important to maintain quality and national pride."
After receiving praise for her fashion forward creations for women, Taylor is expanding into the menswear market.
"I've had a lot of guys approach me about doing a collection for men, so I will be releasing a few pieces in the very near future."
Taylor has also tried her hand at the footwear market, having just released a range of fashionable slouch boots for women.
"I aim to build up recognition of my label in Australia, before hitting the overseas market in places like New York and London," Taylor says.
"Ultimately I would love to host a fashion parade like Victoria's Secret."
Taylor is currently in talks with an Australian television producer who plans to film a documentary about her breaking into the fashion industry. Amy Taylor is a testament to what tenacity, natural talent and a glamorous dream can do for a girl.