CARLY VIDAL-WALLACE
Fashion Curator, Writer and Marketing Strategist

Carly has a fifteen-year history working closely in the fashion industry having been based in Paris, Los Angeles and Australia. Some of the titles she has held range from Fashion Editor, Stylist, to Creative Director having owned her own label, to then go on and create an annual Fashion Festival where she was the Founder and Director in one of Australia’s largest States. Her experience also stretched into Fashion Curation where she has a reputation for having an eye for the most likely to succeed emerging fashion designers.

Lastly, Carly often consults on a marketing and branding perspective lecturing in Universities and working with fashion and luxury companies refining their entire marketing strategy and reach to increase sales and engagement. She has consulted with businesses from university graduates starting out, to managing global teams in cross country campaigns with companies with turnover in excess of $60m. She has a passion for sustainability and hopes in every role she takes on to make the biggest impact possible to creating a sustainable fashion world. Her stand out career moments has been interviewing Mr Jimmy Choo OBE and chatting about all things fashion at a private fashion event with Diane von Fürstenberg.

https://www.carlyvidalwallace.com

What did you most enjoy about the IDA judging process?

I always enjoy seeing what trends are appearing around the globe in all the different categories. It’s the best way to get a snapshot of the industry by seeing the latest entrants work.

What did you think about the quality of the entries in the IDA?

The quality has definitely stepped up in 2020. From the amount of entires to the standard in design work and the creativity.

How did you feel about the quality of the students’ entries?

I am always nicely impressed by the student work submitted. It is great to see such a high level, and good to know that teachers are doing such great work in preparing their students for the real world.

How much influence does your own personal taste influence your decisions in judging a design award?

While personal taste has some small relevance when judging (or curating which I am most accustomed to) it’s not about if I would personally wear an item, it’s more about the creative and design standard, the thought process behind the collection, the construction of the garment, the market potential and to some extent how the designer has styled the images for submission.

What advice would you give to future entrants?

Enter! The more you get used to showing your pieces and preparing entries to awards the more experience and exposure you will get. You never know what judge may be seeing your work and what contacts they may have should they love your work.

What do you think are the biggest challenges and opportunities in your career/industry now?

The global fashion industry has been heavily disrupted due to Covid. I think while there has been difficulty in some of the wholesale markets, there is a big potential to build local retail following by connecting in with local community. Society is looking to be more self-sustainable and invest locally, so being able to market and resonate with locals could be a great opportunity.