Tracey Boyd

Tracey Boyd

Tracey Boyd is one of Britain's best loved designers and her client list includes Keira Knightley, Brittany Murphy and Kirsten Dunst. Female First caught up with her to chat spring trends, British fashion and Primark.

Tracey has been running her own BOYD label since 1996 and in 2000 she beat off Stella McCartney and Matthew Williamson to win the News Generation prize at the British Fashion Awards.

More recently Tracey Boyd has teamed up with Always to create a limited edition ‘Spring Collection’ of accessories, inspired by the colourful packaging of new Always Fresh. The set, consisting of a beautiful floaty scarf, cotton floral bag and colourful corsage will add a fresh burst of fashion and femininity to any outfit. Liz Griffiths chats to Tracey about this and more....

You have done collaborations with Topshop and Empire Stores, do you think it’s important as a designer to cater for a wide variety of customers?

Yes, it broadens my horizon and gets my expensive and exclusive products out to a wider audience of people that can’t afford my main line.

What are your inspirations for your new spring collection?

For Boyd 2008 I was thinking Arizona, Navaho and colours of the Grand Canyon – and the film ‘Midnight Cowboy’.  For the Always Fresh Spring Collection I took my inspiration from a clematis flower in my garden, using the brand colours of hot pink and bright turquoise which I also use in my main collection and are very key colours this season.

Your designs are always very feminine, do you think British women have got in a rut of wearing jeans and have forgotten how to look feminine?

I think there a lot of choices out there and styles are changing. Women are becoming more adventurous when putting outfits together so they do look feminine.

How important do you think accessories are to an outfit?

They are vital to lift and renew old favourites. I have designed a broach for Always Fresh which can brighten up a little classic jacket and add a belt around a jacket for the new waisted look for the season.

Do you have any tips for updating our wardrobes for Spring/Summer season?

Using the Always Fresh collection try tying my floaty floral scarf, tied up in a big bow in the side of the neck to soften up any new jacket or you could pin the corsage to your bag to add that special spring detail.

Out of all your celebrity fans, who do you prefer to see in your designs?

love them all! I don’t have a favourite, they all make me happy when wearing my designs.

What do you think of British style?

It’s getting better. I really like Lily Allen - she has great British Style.

Are your designs for a particular type of woman?

No, I don’t like my design being pigeonholed.

Do you think women should stick to the style that suits them best and not be tempted by trends?

Yes, you should look at trends but it’s important to adapt small details to suit yourself. With all major fashion trends you should be able to find an element of it that you can wear. 

Do you think the popularity of shops offering fast cheap fashion such as Primark is a good thing or do you think its better to buy quality rather than quantity?

People should apply the same rules for fashion as they do to what people put in their mouths – like organic food. Very cheap clothes means that someone is barely being paid to make the garment.  Invest a little more money in some of your key wardrobe pieces. Remember less is more - there’s just too much to choose from these days.

Female First- Liz Griffiths