International Day of the Girl daily blog: Natalie B Coleman, fashion designer Posted on October 12, 2023 by planirl
NATALIEBCOLEMAN studied fashion at Limerick School of Art & Design and on the MA course at Central St. Martins, London. She has worked in Industry for such fashion labels as threeASFOUR, New York and Ragna Frodadottir, textile designer in Iceland before establishing her own Womenswear label in 2010 which has now expanded to Silk Scarves, Leather Bags, Purses and Swimwear.
Inspired by the stories, the secrets and longings for individuality in all women and with a background in strong narratives and quirky romance Natalie creates beautiful, fun, flirtatious looks with special attention to finish, fabric and detail. NATALIEBCOLEMAN has shown at Berlin, Copenhagen and Amsterdam Fashion Weeks as an invited guest. Natalie has also shown during New York and Paris Fashion Weeks and will proudly present her fifth collection S/S13 ‘Sarah’s Suitcase’ in Paris during September.
Natalie has been awarded The Golden Egg Innovation Award for Designer of The Year 2012, The National Designer of the Year 2012 by Image Magazine at Kerry Fashion Week and The Future Maker Award 2012 from the Crafts Council of Ireland. The label has been featured extensively in magazines and periodical’s both nationally and internationally such as Harpers Bazaar, Dutch Vogue, Glamour, Company and Marie Claire.
Natalie has dressed Irish stars such as Kathyrn Thomas, Sharon Corr, Charlene McKenna and Because I am a Girl Ambassador Laura Whitmore as well as MaryJ Blige, PJ Harvey, Marina and The Diamonds and many others. Recently the Rick Ross - ‘Amsterdam’ music video from the No.1 Album “God Forgives, I Don’t” features singer and actor Antonique Smith wearing NATALIEBCOLEMAN Spring/Summer 2012. Check out www.nataliebcoleman.com and follow Natalie on Twitter.
Because I am a Girl I ask…Why men are likely to get paid more than a woman for doing the same job? Why women every year lose their jobs because of pregnancy? Why women who are responsible for two thirds of the work done world wide earn only 10% of the total income and own less than 1% of the property? Why 70 million girls every year are denied a basic education and 60 million girls are assaulted every year on their way to school?
Because I am a Girl I believe…that to have a sustainable world future we need to include women in the political and economic arena on a equal footing to men, I believe that in order for the world to progress forward all women need to have democracy and freedom.
Because I am a Girl I hope…the statistic that states that at least 1 in 4 women are victims of domestic violence will change and that all women worldwide will be able to look forward to the healthy and happy futures they should be entitled to.
Because I am a Girl I wonder…at the amazing strength and courage that women have, our loving natures and wonderful sense of humour.
Because I am a Girl I dream…of women’s furthering empowerment, of women gaining gender equality, of equal rights, dignity, of equal opportunities.
I dream of a day when there will no longer be gender based discrimination. I dream of women been able to have full and equal participation in the political and economic arena, of freedom and democracy for Women in the Far East, in Africa and all parts of the world rural and otherwise where women are denied this and I dream for an end to the slavery and trafficking of women.
Because I am a Girl I remember…growing up feeling that I was treated differently to my brothers, I remember when I was eighteen being shocked because an older man had asked my opinion on something and had actually listened to my answer, I was shocked to realise that it was the first time a man had heard and respected what I had to say.
Because I am a Girl I like…that we are all different and unique and that we can have fair minded and strong principled men and women in our lives to share our love and futures with…love makes the world go round!
Because I am a Girl I dislike…hearing about girls feeling pressured to be something other than themselves
Because I am a Girl I feel…it is hugely important as women to set up positive work/life models for younger women to aspire to. My fellow generation in Ireland is the first female generation to have so much freedom and choice over our lives and careers, I was the first girl in my family to go on to third level education and to start up my own business. Having a support group of other women peers who are serious about entrpreneurship and have made a success of their business can make a big difference, giving women more resources and simply the belief that they can grow a big company.
Because I am a Girl I celebrate…all women who as a collective have inspired and influenced me throughout my life. My Mother who died when I was a teenager and my Grandmother who passed away this year where strong, independent, humorous and individualistic women who showed me how to have the strength and responsibility to own my own life.
Also Mary Robinson, the first female president of Ireland and the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights has greatly influenced me. I am incredibly proud of what she stands for and how ceaselessly and progressively she campaigns for the rights of women. Her work for climate justice, her work for peace in Northern Ireland and her work in developing the necessary range of choices for women in vulnerable positions have all been incredibly influential. Above all I admire her willingness to stand up for what she believes is right. All these women and many more have provided me with the inspiration and self belief that I needed in order to be able to achieve what I have so far in my life and business.
- Natalie B Coleman
