Heaven swimwear designer, Bek Donnan shares with us her expert advice on getting into the fashion design industry, overcoming job challenges and how she keeps her designs so fresh and unique.
RESCU: How did Heaven Swimwear first come about? Did you always want to be a Swimwear designer?
Bek Donnan: I always wanted to be a designer. I hadn’t really thought about swimwear until I started working at Heaven Swimwear but now I absolutely love it! Designing for Heaven Swimwear was my first job out of college and I’ve been lucky to be here for 7 years now!
RESCU: What education or career path did you take to become a swimwear designer?
Bek Donnan: I did at Diploma of Fashion Design at KVB Institute of Technology.
RESCU: What does a typical day of your job entail?
Bek Donnan: I get into the office at about 8:30 and check e-mails, then check out ‘what’s new’ by looking at trend forecasting websites, blogs, social media etc. Depending on the time of year my typical day will be varied – I might be looking at prints and accessories, working on new designs or I have fittings with models.
RESCU: How do you ensure each new Heaven collection you design remains fresh and exciting?
Bek Donnan: I’m inspired by lots of different things, from international trends to people, music or places. I try to design a mix of on- trend stories worked back with what I believe the Heaven girl wants. I aim to cover all bases – offering the latest trends, yet also having a point of difference – an bit of an edge!
RESCU: Since it’s initial inception in 2000, Heaven has grown into the fun free-spirited Aussie swimwear label we know today, being stocked in specialist boutiques and Myer across the country. What has been your greatest achievement for the label so far?
Bek Donnan: It’s so exciting to see the brand grow each year, and being stocked in Myer last season was a very exciting achievement for the brand.
RESCU: What are your hopes for Heaven in the near future?
Bek Donnan: We would love to see the label continue to grow in Australia as an iconic youth swimwear brand and eventually expand to the overseas market.
RESCU: What do you find most challenging about your job?
Bek Donnan: At times the job can be full on, trying to complete the collection in time! As much as it can be sometimes overwhelming and stressful I love my job and I wouldn’t have it any other way!
RESCU: From your experiences in the fashion industry, what advice would you give to aspiring swimwear designers today?
Bek Donnan: Never ever give up on your dreams. It can be very hard work but if you have the passion and love what you’re doing, then it will be worth it! The best feeling is achieving something that you have dreamt about. You also need to have thick skin in this industry, so that if you get knocked back you can pick yourself up and keep going. It can be overwhelming and extremely hard work but the results are so rewarding.
RESCU:What are your favourite pieces from the current Heaven Swimwear Collection?
Bek Donnan: I love the Magic Garden Zip Front One Piece as it’s very sports luxe – very on-trend right now. Also I love the Python Safari story – it was a amazing studded finish, and the Strapped Bandeau Top is a statement piece to wear at the beach (plus no tan lines – winning!!).
