ALISON-JAYNE MATTHEWS

CLASS OF 1985

Owner and Designer at Alison-Jayne Couture, Belfast

I think I was very lucky in that from a very early age I always knew I wanted to be a designer! This made career choices at school so much easier and probably gave me confidence when selecting subjects at school.

I loved my years at Belfast High School and have very happy memories of the teachers, my friends (many of whom I am still in touch with); school plays and school trips were always great fun. I enjoyed all my subjects, but was probably best at Art, Geography, Home Economics and English.

I was always creative at school and was often found working away on various ideas and projects in the art rooms! I thoroughly enjoyed getting involved with school play costumes and concert poster designs. In fact, in 1994 I even came back to the school to work on the costume design for a production of My Fair Lady, which was a lovely experience for me.

On leaving school I did a Foundation Course in Art and Design followed by a BA Hons Fashion & Textiles degree at the University of Ulster, Belfast. I also completed a Scholarship in Costume History from the Museum of Costume in Bath. During my degree course I did many memorable placements. The most memorable was a summer spent working in London with the world-renowned royal designers David and Elizabeth Emanuel, famous for creating the wedding dress for Princess Diana.

I must have made a good impression on them because after I graduated, I was offered a position as Design Assistant to David Emanuel, based in his couture showroom in Knightsbridge, London. What an experience! Only now, looking back, do I realise what an amazing opportunity I had; a wee girl from Belfast High School meeting and working with royalty, film stars and top fashion magazines. I loved those years in London. It was a very steep learning curve, but taught me so much about business, fashion production and the world of couture design. When they dissolved the company I came back to Northern Ireland to consider my next career move and, although I had been offered other design positions, I thought that I might like to establish my own couture business in Belfast.

I completed a short business course and then set up my own design studio in Belfast City Centre. Alison-Jayne Couture was launched in 1991 specialising in the production of high-quality bridal and special occasion wear. Now, well over 30 years later I am still creating, designing, and producing bespoke dresses for clients.

A lot of hard work has been put into the business, but there have been many, many highlights over the years, not least winning the prestigious UK Livewire Business Trophy (the first time the award ever came to Northern Ireland), all the glamorous fashion shows, launching my collections, creating my own wedding dress, and of course being able to be part of creating very special dresses for clients over all the years!

My decision to pursue a career in fashion design was following my heart. It was full of many difficult challenges, long hours, hard work and excitement along the way. It was not an easy career path, but I can honestly say I have loved every minute and the job satisfaction of being able to work “magic” on a length of fabric and creating it into something special is an amazing feeling.

I am now based in an attic studio on the Lisburn Road, still creating beautiful dresses for clients and still loving my job!

Alison-Jayne CoutureThe Attic Studio, 224 Lisburn Road, Belfast BT9 5NBEmail: alison-jaynecouture@hotmail.com