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Q1 Could you tell us about the brand concept of Eliza Gran? How did it start?
I started the line for children in 2003, I have three kids and at the time I could not find any clothes for them that I really liked. My mother had saved some of my dresses from when I was a child and I really loved them and so I created a really small collection that looked like those. Mothers immediately recognized the clothes from their childhoods so they loved them. The hardest part was finding fabrics that I liked that were all cotton and easy to wash. After a while I started using mostly Liberty of London prints, which are expensive but are the most beautiful prints out there.
Q2 Could you tell us your career as a fashion designer?
The kids line took off right away and then all the grown-ups wanted some for themselves, so I had to start a line for women! I don't really want to make matching mother/daughter outfits, just two separate lines that have the same style. |
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Q3 For Fall 2007 collection, What sort of pieces are feature in the collection?
I used a lot of purple and dark blue, which are darker colors than I usually use, and I did a lot of tunics that can be worn as short dresses or with jeans. For the women I tried to make everything very wearable. I like clothes that make you look pretty without looking like you're trying too hard, but that don't look exactly like what everyone else is wearing, which is generally jeans with t-shirts.
Q4 What's inspiring your work?
The early 1970s is my main source of inspiration. Of course early Cacharel is very inspiring. I spend a lot of time on ebay and raiding my vintage-loving friends' closets. I collect vintage magazines, fabric, patterns, catalogs, etc. |
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Q8 For the future season, what else can people expect from your line? What is your goal as a designer?
After I expand the women's line I would love to design lingerie, maybe swimwear, and also a line for the home - blankets, sheets, pillows...
Q9 Any last words?
I'm really looking forward to visiting Japan sometime soon! |
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Eliza started designing clothes for children after she had three kids (in five years) and became hell bent on finding them the coolest clothes. So this native New Yorker and former top illustrator whipped up some samples, and her line was instantly snatched up by lots and lots of stores and featured in all the best magazines.
The most shocking part, however, was the barrage of mommies demanding adult sized versions for themselves! So Eliza put together a small collection for women made mostly from gorgeous Liberty print cotton, and that too was an immediate hit. Now Eliza's designs are loved by glamorous babies, kids and women all over the world, and we hear that there are lots more exciting things to come. |
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Q5 When you design your womens and kids collection, what is the difference between 2 lines? What do you emphasize most in your work?
There really is not much difference. My clothes for children are not at all babyish or overly cute so they work for all ages. I always focus mostly on using great prints, I love florals but I am very picky about them - they must look sophisticated and vintage, not too precious looking. In both lines I always emphasize vintage-inspired details, but I don't want the dresses to look so retro that they seem difficult to wear every day..
Q6 Currently which stores carry Eliza Gran in US and Japan? The range of prices?
In the US, Henri Bendel, Scoop, Calypso, Steven Alan.
In japan, Frameworks and Daytona Freaks and in the Fall, Ships.
Prices for women are about $185-385. |
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Q7 What are some of your interests today?
I am starting to design my own prints, which is really my fist love. I just love fabric, especially simple cotton prints. I have no interest in designing really "fancy" clothes - I just want to keep making pretty dresses! |
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