We Are Kingswood - Isla - Former Pupil

Isla Simpson is a former pupil at Kingswood and has gone on to become an acclaimed textile and home decor designer, collaborating with brands such as L'Occitane en Provence.

Taking time out of her busy summer schedule, Isla discusses some of her achievements and challenges in the next of our quick-fire #WeAreKingswood Q&As...  

Ambition or talent: which matters more?

Ambition! We can all master new talents if we want to, if you practice hitting the ball enough times like a tennis player. But you have to be ambitious enough to strive for those talents.

If you could give one piece of career advice to a young person, what would it be?

In life and career, having original thoughts and being original will help you lead - taking you far beyond exam success and the playing fields.

What motivates you?

Firstly, I love what I do. And knowing that there are thousands of designs inside me and it would be a crying shame, if I didn’t bring them to life!

How would you describe Kingswood School to family and friends?

The making of me! Plus my Kingswood friends are some of my closest.

What was your earliest ambition?

To be a designer, known in my field. 

What is your greatest achievement so far?

It shifts every year, but after years of designing in-house at fashion brands, it’s wonderful to be designing under my own name and have that autonomy.

What is the greatest challenge of our time?

Automation of jobs, which is why I champion being a Creative, a machine could never predict what I will design next.