Simone Kerr: a catch-up interview
We last spoke to Australia-based, international model/dancer/designer Simone Kerr when she was about to launch Balletto Body, her collection of dance and active wear. Now that Balletto Body is up and running, we thought we’d have a catch-up with her:
Hello again Simone. Since we last spoke, you’ve launched Balletto Body. Can you tell us a little bit about the collection?
The first collection is very bright and there are both one and two piece leotards in the range. We have four styles currently available online with another five coming soon. There will be eleven colours all together. The whole range is characterised by a black waist band, a unique design feature peculiar to this collection.
How’s it all going? Has it been a success thus far?
It’s been going great! There is a lot of interest in the brand from both traditional and social media. I’m really happy with how it is travelling so far and can’t wait to get more of the range out there.
What’s the masterplan for Balletto Body? Do you plan to get the collection into shops nationwide/worldwide? Branch out into further designs and/or accessories? Where do you see it heading?
The grand plan for Balletto would be to have the range stocked at a number of locations both domestically and internationally. We currently ship internationally from our website so we’re focusing on building a global client base. I want to expand the range to the point where we have our signature pieces and then limited edition pieces seasonally. I’d like to expand into shoes, not pointe shoes but ballet flats.
What else have you been up to since we last talked?
Since we last spoke I have been back and forth from Sydney a bunch of times, performed in the July season of Cats as a principle dancer, shot my Balletto campaign, designed the next collection, finished another semester at uni and started choreographing a new work for the Fringe Festival. Taking it easy…
Taking it easy indeed! You always seem so busy! Has it been hard trying to balance your modelling, dance stuff, uni work and the launch of Balletto Body?
It has been hard with everything that is going on at the moment but uni winds up in the next week or so and then I can focus on just Balletto for a little while. I just have to keep moving, keep working, just keep going and stay on top of things because at this time of year it can start to run away from you if you’re not careful!
Could you see yourself ever changing from your multitasking ways and focusing solely on one pursuit? If so, what would it be.
I’m not sure I could ever focus on one thing. I am a generalist, not a specialist. And projects just seem to come to me and I can’t say no because they are too good an opportunity to pass up! So I just say yes and wind up with a million things on my plate. Again!
You recently did a shoot for Something You Said’s good chums at Laurel & Hector Vintage. Was that fun? Are you a fan of vintage clothing in general? Do you rummage around op shops much?
My shoot for Kee Kee at Laurel and Hector Vintage was awesome, I can’t wait to see the end result. I am a huge fan of vintage clothing! Mostly the 1940’s and the 1960’s and a little bit of the 90’s too. That’s one thing I miss about Europe, the op shopping! I visited Vintage Emporium off of Brick Lane all the time as well as the Saint Ouen antique markets in Paris, my absolute favourite vintage shopping spots.
What does 2014 have in store for you?
The year will kick off in New York City were I’ll be working over my uni break, then another two semesters before I graduate! Hopefully Balletto continues to grow steadily and then… who knows?
That’s the best thing about the future, it’s a mystery!
Check out Balletto Body’s website here.
Interview by Bobby Townsend.
