Gold Mine

Transferring her drawing skills to fashion design, Katherine Pont creates clothes with a story to tell

You’re from Australia – did you grow up running wild in the bush or by the beach?

Oh no, neither… I grew up in the Sydney suburbs of Eastwood. No forest there, but lots of houses.

What prompted your move to London?

I travelled around Europe with two friends from art school, absorbing as much as we could, but our intention was eventually to reach London. Eight years later, when I finally got here, I guess I liked what I found! London has a lot to offer in music, art and fashion, and I find it very inspiring. As is the anonymity of such a big city…

What was your first step into fashion design?

I made some prints for a friend’s T-shirt label, and it opened my eyes to putting drawings on clothing. I’m fond of drawing, and my work has an element of the figurative and decorative, so applying this to clothing seemed like a natural progression.

How did your label, Mine, come into the world?

Mine was quite by accident. It began as a hobby, printing illustrations on T’s, and reinventing them with tromp l’oeil tricks. I started wrapping my drawings around the body instead of on paper, and began creating shapes for dresses and tailored garments.

What's the trickiest bit about the business?

Timelines (I’ve never got along with the clock) and juggling the creative with the business side of running a label.

And the most rewarding?

Spotting people in the street wearing Mine. That makes it all worthwhile.

Mine is quite a whimisical label. What sort of girls do you design for?

Those who like to daydream a little.

What's been inspiring you lately?

Ships built from matchsticks, outsider art and songs about the moon.

Tell us a bit about your latest collection…

It’s called ‘Elsie Moved in Circles’ and is about a film starlet with shadowed lashes and a penchant for downtown dashes. It marries the twenties with Aztec, creating patterns by a kaleidoscopic vision of the city skyline.

For more information and stockist details, go to
mine.uk.com
mine.rendez-vous-paris.com
myspace.com/mine_clothing