1. What inspired you to start your career as a fashion sourcing expert, and how did you develop the skills and network necessary to excel in this niche field?

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I have always been drawn towards rare, hard-to-find pieces. Growing up in Rockhampton, I had less than six stores to choose from and a desire to stand out. As my career progressed, I realized there was an underserved segment of clients in Australia that had limited access to certain luxury goods, that were available in other regions. Over the years, Gab Waller has developed through community, client love, and word of mouth.

 

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2. What are some of the most challenging items you've been asked to source, and how did you manage to locate them? Could you share a particularly memorable sourcing experience?

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Vintage will always be its own challenge because as time passes, the piece only becomes more scarce and finding it gets more ambitious. With our following, it's more than likely that if one client wants a piece, there are more sourcing requests to follow. The item that comes to mind is a Chanel Karl Lagerfeld Paris Dallas flap bag from the 2014 collection, when they showed Pre-Fall in Dallas, Texas. To find one was incredible, but the second one was miraculous.

 

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3. How do you stay ahead of fashion trends and ensure that you're able to meet the diverse preferences of your clients? Are there specific resources or strategies you rely on to predict and respond to fashion demands?

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In my line of work, it's of the utmost importance to stay in front of the curve. I take in information from everywhere, but am selective relative to my personal taste and analyze what I think will be the next "it" item from there. My sourcing requests always play an influence and are important factors when writing my Vogue column, The Hot List.

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4. You've worked with many high-profile clients and brands. Are there any particular clients or collaborations that stand out as highlights in your career? What made these experiences unique?

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A few of our most notable finds would be the Celine coat for Rosie Huntington-Whiteley, the matching Dior sets for Khloé Kardashian and True, the Gucci by Tom Ford for Behati Prinsloo, and the purple Chanel 22 bag I sourced for Lucy Hale. Each piece means something different to each individual client, so I am very lucky to say we provide a lot of unique experiences.

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5. What advice would you give to individuals looking to break into the fashion industry, particularly in roles that require strong networking and sourcing skills? Are there any key principles or practices you believe are essential for success?

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One tenet Gab Waller is built on is treating each and every client the exact same, regardless of status or spend. I believe this sentiment is so important as you begin expanding your network and building your career.