Eleanor's Riot

Launched in early 2011 by Edinburgh based designer Fi MacKay, Eleanor's Riot creates both beautifully elegant and extremely wearable pieces. The intention behind the label is to offer customers a unique and affordable alternative to high street 'fast fashion.'

Nearly one year after its start up, Eleanor's Riot is going from strength to strength. Although designer Fi Mackay says she's "Still amazed that I am making and selling my own clothing. It's a dream that once seemed so unattainable."

This dream began when MacKay started taking dressmaking night classes to help with her art college application, after always intrinsically knowing that designing and making as a career was something that she needed to pursue – "I have always found fashion quite fascinating, have always enjoyed and wanted to be part of it."

After completing an HND at Telford College in Costume Design, she then took a slightly different route into running her own fashion brand than is usual. " I went into college knowing that I wanted to learn to cut and construct to a professional level and after talking to the tutors decided the Costume course was the one for me as it offered a stronger tailoring programme." Practical skills are taught alongside an intense fashion history aspect, which MacKay says, "Really heightened my knowledge of female clothing." This is definitely seen within her debut collection, which is heavily inspired by 1960s schoolgirls; where hemlines are short, but necklines are prim and proper with only a hint of subtle embellishment.

This collection inadvertently created a difficult decision for MacKay. "I gained a place to complete my degree in Costume Design but was also offered the chance to make and sell a line within Godiva Boutique in Edinburgh. I thought I would see how it went for a year and have never looked back."

Even when busily working on garments for fashion boutiques such as Godiva, LaLaLand and Audrey Grace Boutique (in Mississippi!) MacKay's costume background shines through. "I decided to create an illusion, a girl that I would dress up and design for, who could change to become whoever I wanted her to be." But why Eleanor specifically? "I chose the name Eleanor after a talk with my sister, she showed me several old stories about a woman called Eleanor who was too perfect for this world and I loved it!"

MacKay has an ongoing collaboration with her sister, fine artist Kate MacKay. "She hand illustrates white cotton garments that I make, taking inspiration from folklore and fables." Being artistic evidently runs in the family. "I am always amazed at how Kate manages to transform the fabrics and turn them into works of art. We are really fortunate to be able to create something together that we are so passionate about."

Designing with a character in mind and always thinking about the overall story means that every individual piece, in MacKay's words, "Stays true to the ethos of the brand." Firstly the colour palette is chosen, then textures and fabrics that are suitable for the season, and finally the shapes of the pieces which can then be hand made by MacKay herself. "This then has to be broken down to create the patterns and samples and once I am satisfied I can start on production," she explains. Additionally, careful consideration is taken into "What people will buy and what people will love to wear."

So following an extremely busy past few years, what does January and 2012 have in store for Eleanor's Riot and Fi MacKay? "January will be spent finalising samples for my Spring/Summer collection and the opening on my own online boutique. Fingers crossed anyway." We certainly have ours crossed too!