More about me
Hi, I’m Violet Howlett-Aitken.
Originally from Wellington, the windy little capital of New Zealand, I’ve spent over a decade working in fashion in London.
Creating has always been second nature to me. By age seven I was sewing outfits for my dolls on my grandmother’s sewing machine. A few years later, I designed and lovingly handmade my first collection—a capsule wardrobe for my newborn sister, complete with a faux fur jacket, accessories, and even a sequin-embellished bikini.
Studying fashion design was a natural progression, but what truly captivated me wasn’t the design itself—it was the mechanics of bringing high-quality garments to life.
For the past 15 years, I’ve worked in-house for a number of independent brands, all leaders in their respective niches making beautiful products.
My hands-on approach and experience across design, development, technical, production, and operations has given me a deep, well-rounded understanding of the entire product lifecycle.
I thrive on the details of costings, critical paths, and taking a forensic look at fit and finish to ensure every garment reaches its full potential.
I have worked across a wide range of categories — including ready to wear, outerwear, knitwear, jersey, accessories, loungewear, home textiles, jewellery, and childrenswear — building a strong network of suppliers in each.
In late 2023, I took the leap into freelancing to bring my expertise to more brands at pivotal moments. So if you’re looking for a dedicated industry expert to support your product for your next stage of growth, I’m here to help.