Q and A with Gail Reid

Where are you now in your career?
Just beginning.
What does your work involve?
My lead role in the business is designer. I broadly also have involvement in sales, production management tasks, PR, invoicing and bookkeeping.
Where would you like to be in 10 years?
Doing more of what I’m doing now but with a team of people I respect beside me.
How do you find working in the fashion industry?
Fun, exhausting, exciting and it’s always about the next step. I’m never satisfied with the present, I’m always looking to the future.
How did you name your label?
Sorronda is my mum’s maiden name. It’s Spanish but she is from the Philippines. I used it in reverence to my mother and what she has invested in me to bring me to this point.
What garments do you most like to make?
The dress.
What is your biggest regret?
Not taking full advantage of every possible opportunity that comes forward. Generally that comes down to being lazy. You learn this lesson fast enough as the alternative often leaves a lasting sting.
Who inspires you?
Happy people.
Which designer do you most admire?
Nicolas Ghesqui’re. He is a pioneer of form and he has continued the legacy of Cristobal Balenciaga, anchored to his philosophy. He didn’t go backwards, just forwards in a new direction. I also admire Maison Martin Margiela’s sense of humour and his independent thinking. I adore his accessories. He lobbies against the obvious.
What is your greatest extravagance?
Creating this label. Starting your own business is a real extravagance financially and emotionally. It’s very self consuming, it is a vacuum and often a blind faith leading to an idealized somewhere and so you and whoever chooses to come along with you should always be in it for the love of it.
What is your earliest memory?
Crying in the arms of Santa. I remember I was crying for the sake of crying. I just thought I would keep crying. I was literally a baby. I remember there was no reason, I was not hungry or any of the obvious others, I can’t explain why, I think it was just that I could. A photo triggered this bizarre memory.
What must you have with you at all times?
My phone but even that is dispensable these days.
What did you like most about your study days?
My friends, laughing and suffering, then laughing about suffering together.
If you could travel to anywhere in the world right now, where would it be?
Egypt for the diving and Pyramids and the Amazon on a riverboat expedition.
Do you watch Project Runway?
It frustrates me. I have respect for the contestants and what they have to put up with. The rationing of material resource and time, berating and just as easily elating judges and not to mention the public viewing. This all with opinions you can never hear, only a murmur in your head, a manifesting soiree of evil paranoia. Amongst this pit of commercialism and egocentrics, the point of and beauty of designing seems essentially lost. It’s a competition and a competition is never soul defining and it’s crucifying.
Do you think there should be an Australian version of Project Runway?
I think Australians are different to Americans so it would be a different show but essentially not, and yes it would be another version of sociological experimentation with more popular culture talent minced in for great TV.