Cut-out is the creation of awesome super-talent, Miss Kay. She designs kick-ass T-shirts and tote bags, button badges and handmade jewellery for your pleasure and delight, because…well, she’s really rather nice like that!

Come meet Kay, then go visit the site - you’ll love it!

Describe Kay, the lady behind the label, in 5 words…
Fun, happy, creative, curious, shy.

SM hearts Cut-out. Tell us all about it, what is it? What’s with the name? When did you start?
Cut-Out is a little clothing label specialising in printing limited edition T-shirts, tote bags, and making jewellery and other lovely items. I started it as a business when I graduated from University Summer 2008 because I didn’t want to get a job in an office or do anything that could stop me being creative. I wanted to start something that would be inclusive, not something that would only be about making a name for myself. I missed getting inky hands and screen-printing myself, so I saved up some money and set up the print studio. I don’t really know where the name Cut-Out came from, my friend wanted me to call it ‘Build your own grenade’, but Cut-Out just sounded a bit nicer.

When and how did you realise you were a creative?
I guess I have always been creative, art was always my favourite subject at school and I was always making things from anything I could get my hands on. After doing a foundation course in art and design I studied textile design at University where I got into screen printing. After graduating I realised I had all this knowledge about printing T-shirts for people, so just went for it.

What was the first product you ever made?
I’ve been drawing, painting and making things for as long as I can remember. I used to make all my friends friendship bracelets when I was in primary school- which I still really like doing! The first product made for Cut-Out was a typewriter T-shirt, it was the first screen I made at home and I was totally chuffed when it turned out.

Tell us about your product range, what you got to offer? What are your current favourite items? What inspires your too-cute designs?
I have for sale some lovely hand-printed T-shirts and tote bags, I also have some jewellery, purses and badge sets (I absolutely love my badge maker). My favourite product at the moment is the knitted heart jewellery, I’m not really a girly-girl, but I love the chunky gold chain. Before I had them to sell, I made one for myself and for my friend, every time we wear them out we get compliments on them. It is definitely a range I want to expand- knitted biscuit necklaces next I think!

I really like the items that aren’t designed or made by me, I am so lucky that people I admire let me print their stuff, it’s all about sharing!

My designs are inspired by my life really – the camera and typewriter illustrations are drawings of two of my favourite possessions. When I was a university, all my fabric designs were made up of drawings of my friends, I like sticking to what I know, and hope other people can relate to it.

What’s the secret to your success?
I’m not sure I am a success yet, only time will tell! I think being genuine and having a real interest in design and fashion helps. I absolutely love what I do, and I hope to do it for as long as I can. I work hard but I love every minute of it, and I don’t take being self-employed for granted at all- I know a lot of people who would love the opportunity to do something like this. The support from my friends and family is absolutely incredible, and I work to make them proud of me too. I would love one day to have my own shop with a studio, but I have a long way to go before I will be able to do that.

Do you have to know your business beans?
I have no business experience at all, and I was hopeless at maths at school, but I have been taking things on as I go. I was lucky enough to get a grant from the Princes Trust, and they have been awesome at showing me what I need to do. Luckily a lot of nice people have got in touch with me rather than me having to find them.

What’s a typical day in the life of designer-girl Kay…
It varies day-to-day, but it usually involves lots of cups of tea, scouting around on the Internet and checking my emails a million times. I print merchandise for lots of bands as well as for Cut-Out, such as T-shirts, bags and even posters. For that I have to prepare artwork, order materials, make and expose the screens and then print. I might also have a walk to the post office for any orders I have had. On printing days I sometimes enlist friends to help me out, we play music loudly and have a fun time doing it, then once all the things are dry, I might have to spend a few hours ironing T-shirts to set the print- usually whist watching a bit of TV  (it’s not all fun!). Lately I have been thinking a lot about Cut-Out’s Autumn/Winter collection, and what sort of things I’d like to do for it, so in a few weeks I might start doing some drawings and experiments for lots of lovely new products!

How do you promote your products?
I’m not very good at the whole promoting thing yet – I don’t really know where to start! I am slowly building up my facebook, myspace and twitter friends so people can keep up to date with what is going on (I am very friendly). I am also lucky enough to have things stocked in a few lovely shops around the UK, so hopefully more and more people will find out about Cut-Out.

What’s been the best experience since setting up Cut-Out?
Every day I learn something and I absolutely love it all. I think the photoshoot for the Spring/Summer collection was a real turning point- it made me really feel like ‘Cut-Out’ was a real business and I wasn’t just a girl doing it as a hobby. At the moment I am loving being introduced to new friends like Pink-World and all the nice things people have said.

As an offical style-ista, what’s your ‘must-have’ fashion item?
My boyfriend’s T-shirts. I am definitely a girl who likes her skinny jeans, band T-shirt and trainers, and ones that are ‘borrowed’ are even better!

What’s your favourite brands and why?
Every pair of jeans I own are from Topshop, I really like that they have mastered the perfect fit for my tiny budget. I also love their pretty dresses and heels- I love getting dressed up to go out time-to-time. I also love Tatty Devine, I did a placement there a while ago and the girls are so lovely- and their jewellery is amazing, they are definitely an inspiration.

What tunes would be on a Cut-Out soundtrack?
I listen to punk-rock music and love going to gigs. I think Cut-Out reflects this too. I print T-shirts for the bands I like listening too, there are so many UK bands that are not in the mainstream, we all seem to help each other out. People who put on shows, bands, zines, fans- anyone with DIY ethics all go hand in hand.

Do you have a style bible – a magazine, book that you completely love?
I read a lot of zines that get handed out at gigs. I love picking something up that someone has photocopied over and over, they are always full of someone’s stories, ideas, music reviews and opinions. I also love a book by a print studio called ‘Print Liberation’ in Philadelphia called ‘The Screen Printing Primer’. It is the book that inspired me to start printing at home without needing the equipment I had been used to at Uni. I am constantly picking it up to have a look through. I used to love reading Vogue and other style magazines, but I just ended up a little gutted I couldn’t afford the lovely things in them!

What makes you happy?
Being in a rock club or at a show surrounded by all my friends and hearing a song I absolutely love playing through the speakers. That literally makes me jump-in-the-air-happy!

What’s next in the world of Cut Out?
Who knows… I’m taking every day as it comes. I am going to keep printing and making things, and keep hoping people like them!

What advice would you give to would-be design girls?
I guess just to have a lot of patience and not to expect to be an overnight success. Do what you enjoy doing and keep it fun, you could start off making presents for your friends and you never know where it could take you.Vist

Check out Cut-out at: www.cut-outshop.com