What inspired you to start designing?
It all started with my love of vintage clothing. I would find the coolest t-shirt or dress, but it would be too big or to long, so I would start cutting things down and hand-sew, or tie pieces of fabric together to make it more girly and my style. Eventually I got a sewing machine and would try to make the outfits I could picture in my head. Eventually everyone would ask me where I got the stuff I was making and it just kind of evolved from there. Living in Los Angeles and seeing firsthand how fashion is produced and working with other young designers helped me learn the business and become a designer.
That is amazing. You’re certainly an inspiration to those who may not be able to afford attending a design school to learn fashion design. With that said, what is most rewarding about being a fashion designer?
Being able to see my ideas come to life, seeing them worn on all kinds of women from teenagers to up to 70 years old all over the world. So, rewarding to think about my designs being bought all over the world for different events from weddings to parties in the last 10 years I have been doing this. Its awesome!
We definitely see the vintage in your designs. What inspires you to create this style?
I love vintage, but sometimes its a little too literal and needs an update. Id like to think of my line in three words, vintage edgy, boho . . . that’s me. My line will always be inspired by what I want to wear. A lot of my designs have been copies of what I have made for myself for different events in my life.
Being able to design what you was to wear based on an event is an incredible skill. Do you work with any particular materials?
I love Quaker lace, because it is one of a kind, and so beautiful. I will always love dress making with knits as well because of the print selection and comfort they provide.
Describe your design process.
I will usually start a collection with a fabric. Its usually a colorful patterned knit, and create the collection around that. My collections are always based on what I want to wear and what I cannot find out there that I feel like I have to have.
You make your dress. Do you find handmade over commercial manufacturing in high-demand??
At this point in my career, I have done the wholesale route, and I find what sets me apart is the fact that I do make to order. You can go buy anything off the rack, but I want to be an outlet for customers who are sick of buying ill fitting, bad quality clothing and can have a chance to have something handmade, to their exact size, with the option of customizing it. I realize customers today have many choices when shopping, so I feel this sets me apart. I prefer making-to-order, because I no longer have to make size runs, etc. That becomes monotonous. When I make to order i can choose to make a wedding dress one day, and the other day I make a sequin dress and a boho maxi. It’s always different; I get a chance to have a one-on-one relationship with each customer and the dream item they want. I can customize and make it come to life for them.
Is there anyone in the industry that you admire most?
Not really. I am totally self-taught, so I never really followed designers. I literally had never heard of Coco Channel, until I moved to LA. I am from a small town in Iowa, and talk of designers just never came up. Designer clothing was not really sold here either, until a couple years ago, so no one here really cares that much about designers like they do in bigger cities. People have their own organic, creative style here and that is one of the reasons I love living in Des Moines.
Do you see vintage fashion as a trend or something more?
I think new design will always draw inspiration from past vintage styles. I think the younger generation in their early 20s are not quite as into vintage as a trend as kids were 10-15 years ago. At this point, there are people who either love incorporating vintage into their wardrobe or people who don’t. As far as trends go, mixing vintage with modern is here to stay.
Any future projects in the works?
I don’t have anything on the agenda, besides new collections for this year. But you never know what is to come! I just finished a fashion project with a drone photographer and Des Moines area designers (including myself) this fall. Check it out below!
Any advice for up and coming fashion designers?
I know it sounds crazy, but quit your day job. If you have even a par-time job, you will always rely on that and you wont push yourself to the level you need to to really do it. It will force you to hustle and figure out how to do things by trial and error, and force you to edit your designs for the best sales.
Also, don’t sweat the process. Don’t think about it too much. Just do it. Get to work, and start sewing. The time to start is now.
Photo credit: Dame and Maiden
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