With 20+ years of experience in the fashion industry, not a lot fazes Kylie Farrington. “Being a producer is like being a full-time problem solver, you have to be a fantastic multi-tasker and you have to be willing to get your hands dirty,” she says. “People think the industry is so glam and it can be but 98% of my job is sitting in front of a computer for weeks researching, planning, scheduling, budgeting.” 

After getting her break casting for a modelling agency, Kylie pivoted into marketing and communications. Years spent working with household names (Mecca, Carla Zampatti, Peter Alexander) agency-side, and in-house (David Jones, Merivale, AMP Capital), imbued her with a commercial acumen beyond even the most seasoned producers. Indeed, “unicorn” is a label bandied around a lot these days; but if ever there was a creative worthy of the title, Kylie is it.

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I got my start… Working as a booker for Priscilla’s 22 years ago. My mum worked in a photography lab below a famous Australian photographer’s studio. I would visit after school and was mesmerised by the sets and clothes and models. It all looked so glamorous and fun. Casting is still one of the favourite parts of my job. I also cast and produce shows for Fashion Week - this will be my 16th year!”

Recently I’ve produced for… I’ve being shooting recently with Steven Chee – not only is he a gentle soul with a hard working fun crew, he is also incredibly technical, I’m really enjoying the process. Some of my recent clients have included  Beare Park, Bec + Bridge, The Upside, David Jones, Melbourne Fashion Festival and Revlon. 

My  favourite project so far has been… H&M Athletic. The client flew out from Sweden and we shot at Mungo National Park with three incredible athletes. We were really up against the elements, – there were sandstorms when shooting in the dunes at 5am, torrential rain and winds then just as the sun would come out and you would get a tiny reprieve, the flies would descend – it was like Survivor. Getting out by chopper on the last evening as the roads started to wash away was completely surreal. 

The advice I would give people wanting to break into production is… Put your hand up and do work experience, take every opportunity you can. I once had a young girl turn up in a Chanel suit, I think she thought she would be like one of Anna Wintour’s assistants at the Met Gala – a headset and clipboard, bossing people around. She went for a lunch break and didn’t come back!

My special sauce is…  I’m a good negotiator. I’m a creative but I’ve also spent years on the client side. It’s sometimes a gentle dance to find an even ground where everyone feels they are being heard and adding their special touch to a shoot. At the end of the day I want the client to be thrilled with the outcome and the photographer to feel they have had enough creative freedom. 

My secret to producing a smooth shoot is… Prep and meticulous planning. I try to think of all the possible scenarios that could go wrong and have backup plans. It doesn’t matter how much prep you sometimes do something will go wrong. A model can’t get a visa, the clothes won’t arrive on time, planes get cancelled. Meditation helps and trying to remember there’s a solution to every problem.

The thing I dislike most on a project is… Bad weather! Oh the angst! So many sleepless nights looking at bloody weather apps.