What's the worst thing a fella's said to you after sex?
Whatever it is, watch who you tell!
Stylist Jacqueline White is airing your dirty laundry - with her debut collection of t-shirts emblazoned with cheeky post-coital faux pas.
Inspired by the brutal dating world of East London, and by some of the lunatics she and her mates have discovered, Jaqueline recently launched her collection in the Hackney Launderette.
She's been collecting hilarious post-coital clangers for a while, secretly embroidering them on her designs. She's even made outfits for Tahita Bulmer of New Young Pony Club!
Read on to find out more...
Lauren: I bet the last few weeks since the launch have been hectic. What have you been up to?
Jacqueline: Showing my naughty t-shirts to lots of press and buyers, and organising my new studio, which is a bizarre glass box in London Fields, oh and of course LOTS of embroidery. The t-shirts have just gone to an exhibition in Tokyo about contemporary textiles. It's being opened by Issey Miyake, so that's pretty exciting.
Lauren: You recently launched your debut collection in London. How did it go down and how was the night?
Jacqueline: It was super. People thought the t-shirts were hilarious. Disco Bloodbath, Man Like Me and New Young Pony Club all DJd so the music was ace. The guests also loved the venue- The Hackney Launderette. Get it? "Watch where you put it.....Miss Jacqueline White airs your dirty laundry" I got some great press from the launch and made loads of great contacts.
Lauren: Your t-shirts are emblazoned with cheeky post-coital slogans. Which one's your favourite and why?
Jacqueline: My favourite is "Just don't fall in love with me" because an idiot said it to me. It was the first slogan I found, and it makes me smile that I have turned something which once made me sad into something which now has made me happy, and of course has made me money. If I could bear to use an emoticon I'd insert a wink here.
A model donning one of Jacqueline's designs
Lauren: Have you had many disastrous dates and what was the worst?
Jacqueline: I had a horrendous date last summer with an interior designer called Gareth. It was awful because he was sexist, homophobic, rude and socially inept. I said to him: 'I don't know what you want me to say to you Gareth, but I am leaving now" I could not take anymore. I was livid, and will never ever go on a first date on a Saturday night again. BIG mistake.
Lauren: What would you say is the best thing about being single and what's your top dating tip?
Jacqueline: The best thing about being single is the hellraising me and the girls get up to. My top dating tip? Always wear Chanel perfume.
Lauren: You've made outfits for Tahita Bulmer of New Young Pony Club. How did that come about? And how does it feel to see her pictured in magazines wearing your creations?
Jacqueline: Ty was looking for someone who could pattern cut and sew properly.
At the time I was sewing costumes for Goldfrapp, for the stylist Michelle May, who is married to Andy Spence, who is the guitarist in NYPC. Is that complicated enough? Michelle sent Ty round for a cup of tea in my kitchen, and the rest is history. I love seeing pics of Ty in costumes I have made. It gives me a buzz.
Lauren: You've been lucky enough to work in Paris and Milan. What's been the highlight of your career so far?
Jacqueline: Working for Bless in Paris was a major eye opener. They are very interesting women, and I love their attitude. Completely random. I did really love my time in Milan, not just because of the work but because of my friends and the fantastic experiences we had. Weekends in Tuscany, eating our own body weight in parma ham, that kind of thing.
But yes, the launch was a pretty major night for me. I loved it.
Lauren: Your mother was a dressmaker. Did you learn the tricks of the trade from her?
Jacqueline: Yes, my mother taught me to sew.
She is an amazing dressmaker and often assists me on shoots and jobs. She is great on set, and everyone loves it that I bring my mum to work. I grew up watching her sew, and my grandmother knit. She was a fairisle knitter which is some skill, with 3 needles. My aunt is a crochet and embroidery expert. I was not interested at all until I hit 12, and began to sew.
My mother and I would find designs we liked then copy them. I made quite a few mistakes when I began, but persevered. Sewing to a high standard is extremely difficult and takes years of practice. My mother can't pattern cut though. I learnt at college. Lots of people who can sew are afraid of pattern cutting. It's weird - it's just maths. I think I have been very lucky to get my mother's creativity and meticulous eye for detail, and my father's rather logical and mathematical brain.
Lauren: If you could see anyone wearing your designs, who would it be and why?
Jacqueline: I would like to see the band Golden Silvers wearing my costumes, because they are original, which is hard these days.
Lauren: Tell me a little about your work with Comic Relief.
Jacqueline: That was quite a job. I often make bizarre garments for commercials and TV. especially comedy.
I think it's my no fear attitude. If you can sew it, I can make it. I have made tracksuits for hamsters, pop outfits for dogs, I have made a man into a purple teddy bear.
So the Comic Relief brief was to make the Stella McCartney t-shirts for statues around the UK. I think the smallest was little Greyfriars Bobby, and the largest was one of the lions in Trafalgar Square. I had to manage a large team, and some of the rigging was quite challenging!
Lauren: Finally, what's in the pipeline and where would you like to see yourself in ten years' time?
Jacqueline: The launch of New Young Pony Club's second album is top of my list at the moment. We are preparing some pretty special looks. I am just about to drape the first toile this afternoon actually.
In ten years' time? I'd either like to be living it up with my best friend Andrew in Palm Springs, being whisked into Hollywood to style the stars or sewing gorgeous outfits for my future daughter, maybe even back in Brighton. With a cute childrenswear label.
Check out Jacqueline's designs at www.missjacquelinewhite.com
