Q&A Jana Kachel | Fashion Designer
Fashion designer Jana Kachel graces us with her presence in May. Finishing as one of Victoria’s top ten art students, she has followed her dreams to become an inspiring fashion designer, fusing art and fashion. After completing a Bachelor of Arts in Fashion Design at RMIT, Jana worked as a freelance underwear designer and then as a graphic artist. Childrenswear seemed a logical extension to an individual where imagination is beyond the ordinary and designed the children’s wear label Jack & Milly prior her self-titled mainstream womenswear label Kachel launched in 2007.
Name: Jana Kachel Nick name: JK
Profession: Fashion Designer: KACHEL
Location: North Bondi in Sydney, Australia
Passion: My family & friends
I get my inspirations from:
Everywhere and everything. You just have to open your eyes and see all the exciting colours and textures in the world. Generally in fashion, I get inspiration from vintage stores, markets, magazines, internet and travelling.
How I got my break:
After the children’s wear label I worked on was sold, the company I worked for said I could start a label doing whatever I liked provided I could justify a niche with in the market place. Lucky!!! Right place in right time.
My top tricks of the trade: Fashion is a season, style is timeless.
My style in a sentence:
A feminine eclectic mix and match of prints, colours and textures.
Bet you didn’t know I can: Play tennis right and left handed.
My latest project is about:
There are whispers of a brand extension into swimwear. Watch this space!
My last purchase: Toys for Charlie Peaches, my puppy.
My current favourite mecho item: Inika natural makeup – I hate chemicals in makeup.
Travel destination and tips:
Amalfi Coast Italy – go to Ravello and eat the tastiest olives in the world!
Psst… One time I… Oh la la, no comment…!
The mecho team invites you to continue the conversation below with Jana during May… Make it fun! Post comments with your own free personal Gravatar
NOTE: ARCHIVE ONLY from May-10. You may leave a comment but please note Jana is no longer actively responding to any questions post 31 May-10.
If you enjoyed this feature, you may want to Sign-up to our free mecho e-newsletter for our latest style updates, giveaways and other juicy stuff. Don’t forget to check out our current Competitions & Giveaways
Join us on: 
Discover More Stylish features below:
LINK
MORE
GUEST BLOGGER
12 comments
12 Comments Add your own
1.
Marion | May 4th, 2010 at 10:39 am
Hi Jana, how did you find studying at RMIT? You seem pretty down to earth, any tips to succeed in the tough and often shallow fashion industry?
2.
Jana | May 4th, 2010 at 2:31 pm
Hi Marion,
I had a really great group of friends at RMIT which made uni.
Whilst at uni though I never apperciated that uni is not ‘real time’. So if I had to make a suggestion to anyone doing the course utilise and enjoy the freedom and time you are given at uni. Once you are out in the industry you will never have time like you had at uni!
Do you go to RMIT or thinking about going there?
I guess my tip to succeed in the industry is don’t get caught up in it. Don’t take things to seriously. The industry moves so fast if you worry things you’ll get left behind.
3.
Marion | May 5th, 2010 at 2:29 pm
Hi Jana, thanks for your reply!
I did an arts degree at uni but considering RMIT to specialise but wonder if I will keep up as it seems to be a very competitive environment. It is great to see such a grounded person as yourself making it!
4.
Jana | May 5th, 2010 at 5:27 pm
Thanks Marion – trying to make it in the big wide world lalalala
In regards to the course is only as competitive as you make it. So you’ll be totally fine if you choose to pursue it. As i said the people I did the course with were so down to earth and it is a fun course. I did the Fashion Product Design and Development stream (it may be called something different now) The product design and development stream includes the marketing subjects which are quite relevant to the commercial industry.
Good luck – j
5.
Hannah | May 6th, 2010 at 9:24 pm
Why did you leave Melbourne? It is the fashion capital of Australia!
6.
Jana | May 7th, 2010 at 11:15 am
My husband’s job!
7.
Em | May 12th, 2010 at 4:08 pm
Successful and married! Girl, you got the whole package
So tell me, how does a typical week in a designer’s life look like?
8.
Jana | May 18th, 2010 at 11:18 am
Hey Em,
– j
My weeks are always changing which is good!
But I guess a typical wk consists of lots of emails!!!
Approving lab dips, fabric qualitites, trims, accesoories etc….
Also during every week there are always fits and fit comments to be done which I work through with my production assistant who is fabulous!!!
If it’s around a time of putting a range together my weeks are much more creative than emails which is good
9.
Kelsey Budge | July 16th, 2010 at 4:21 pm
Hi Jana, I attended the product night on Tuesday 13th July at Voyager Head office.
As a fashion design student myself, it was fantastic to hear and see you discuss your collection for the upcoming season and months.
I have always wanted to have a career in the fashion industry which is why I took up a tertiary study in the field, work in the industry at David Jones and make my own clothes-all because I thoroughly enjoy it.
This brings me to ask whether you offer work experience or internships, as I would be extremely interested and already have a vast amount of knowledge in the industry.
I hope the swimwear collection is coming along strongly!!
10.
Jana | July 27th, 2010 at 9:42 am
Hi Kelsey,
I will have a chat to her about this and get back to you. Could you pls write back with your email address so I can contact you again.
The best person to talk to about this is Mel. She is currently on annual leave lucky girl
Thanks! j
11.
Kelsey Budge | July 27th, 2010 at 11:02 am
Thanks for the reply, ahh yes I think I know who Mel is…hope she’s away somewhere warm!! lucky thing!
If you weren’t too busy (highly doubt!) I would appreciate if you could run the idea past her as I am very keen.
Hopefully talk to you soon,
thanks, kels
my email: kelse.b@hotmail.com
12.
Samantha Kachel | September 18th, 2011 at 10:29 am
First off I was completely unaware of this label. Naturally when I run across it I was interested. Having the last name of Kachel is very rare. So I with that curiosity dancing around inside my head. I checked it out. Very nice. Congrats on your own line.
Sincerely, Samantha “Sami” Kachel
Leave a Comment
Trackback this post | Subscribe to the comments via RSS Feed