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Q1 What is the concept of your brand?
Freehand embroidered separates for women and men. Art meets fashion, but not too over the top, very wearable.
Q2 Could you tell us about the projects that you are working on right now?
I am in the planning stages of introducing organic and sustainable fabrics into the line. Also collaborations with other designers. I recently co-designed shoes and we are working on a snowboard jacket for fall 2007.
Q3 Why and how did you become designer?
I have always made things for myself. But when I left art school on the east coast and drove back to Portland, Oregon (my hometown) with my boyfriend, we couldn't find "real jobs" and so decided to begin a fashion design house.
Q4 When do you usually get the inspiration for your works?
I am inspired by colors in the sky. The Forest inspires me. I love to read and I often pull ideas out of mythology and fairytales.
Q5 Could you tell us the process of working on your pieces?
I design the garment from sketches and looking at vintage pieces.
Once the garment is sewn and dyed, then the embroidery happens.
Either myself or one of the artists I hire uses the sewing machine as a drawing tool to make the intricate illustrations for each season.
Q6 What do you feel is important when you are working on your pieces?
Fit, comfort, and uniqueness. I want the woman or man who will wear my clothing to feel like they are the only person in the world with the same embroidery. And they are. Because every piece is done by hand on the machine, and not computerized. |
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Q7 What do you think about the current fashion trend?
I am really excited about highwaisted jeans coming back into style. And the little ankle boots are very cute. I used to not pay any attention to trends, and I don't generally focus on them too much in my own line, I want each piece to be timeless and always the special item you pull out of the closet.
Q8 Which stores carry your products in US and Japan?
My current collection can be found at Tomorrowland in Tokyo, In japan I have also sold at: isetan, beams, ships, united arrows, and American rag cie.
In the usa: Only Hearts, Tangerine, Eskell, Intoto, Habitat, Momo, Parlor, the Kids are alright, Des Kohans, Candy store, Queen of the meadow, Doe, Delilah Crown, Rabat, 401 boutique, Kaleidoscope, Lili's boutique, Storyville, armhole, edin, Seaplane, Habit, Magpie, Edge of Urge, Michelle Rachelle, MA Honolulu.
And Anthropologie.com sells my shoes.
Q9 Which celebrities are wearing your products?
Lauren Hutton, Janet Weiss of the band Sleater-Kinney, Modest Mouse members, and Pearl Jam also. Patricia Arquette came into my tradeshow booth and complimented me, but she didn’t take anything... |
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Q16 Do you like any other designer? Where do you shop?
I love Marc by Marc Jacobs, Acne jeans, Siwy Jeans, Mayle, and anything cashmere. For shoes: Chie Mihara and Dries Van Noten are favorites.
I also like to support local designers: Church and State and Elizabeth Dye. I shop at thrift stores a lot for great unique pieces.
Q17 Favorite word or phrase
Shoot or, Yum.
Q18 What is your goal?
To start another line under my name and see it in Neon lights.
I would love to have a store/showroom that exemplifies my aesthetic of nature, art, and DIY. I want to be part of creating a new set of traditions in fashion, to make things that last and will be passed down to grandchildren.
Q19 Any message?
Follow your dreams. |
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Born and raised near the desert and woodlands, and then in cities and parks, Emily Katz, the designer and creative director of Bonni Heart Clyde often credits the natural world for the images in her artwork. Myth and fairytales also weave into the imagery of her finely detailed freehand embroidery.
Emily studied printmaking at the Maryland Institute College of Art before returning to Portland in 2003. That summer, Bonnie Heart Clyde was born.
Form it's beginning as a line of vintage clothing whimsically embroidered with drawings from sketchbooks, Bonnie Heart Clyde has grown into a full collection-based line of unique embroidered separates for women and men.
'In many cultures, embroidery was a way of passing stories down through generations. We too are telling our personal stories with embroidery. But in a more contemporary way.. We are expressing our individuality.'
Emily has shown her fine art in Seattle, Baltimore, and Portland. Recently collaborations include designing a women's high end snowboard jacket and pants for Grenade. www.grenadegloves.com and embroidered shoe design for Matt Bernson. www.mattbernson.com
Spring 2007 'Secret Garden' is inspired by gates that have no keys, rainbows, singing songs in a round, tea parties, picnics in the middle of a work day, and serenading first loves. The collection of vintage inspired shift dresses, canvas shirts, pima cotton t-shirts, and blouses is perfect for lazy summer days spent reading Neruda by the sand, strolling through the farmers market, or shipping tea with friends. |
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Q10 What do you do on your day off?
Drink espresso with my friends, make artwork, knit, play music, and cook. I love to cook. I have been interning part time with a chocolatier learning how to make artisanal chocolates.
Q11 Are there any places or countries you would like to visit?
I would love to go to Greece for the food and beaches. The Netherlands for the fashion and design in everyday life, and the bicycle culture.
Q12 Have you been to Japan? What do you think about Japanese fashion scene?
I haven't been to Japan, but it is also on my list of places to go. I love reading Murakami and imagining the sights and cuisine. I love the style sense in Japan. People are very confident with their dress and put things together that might seem outrageous to some people, but I find it to be very avantgarde. So many trends begin there because people are so innovative. And such cute haircuts! I always buy Japanese hair magazines for ideas for my own hair! |
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Q13 What is your favorite cuisine? Could you tell us your favorite restaurants?
I love Greek food and Japanese. I love sushi. When I was in Kindergarten in a small mountain town, my dad would always take me on my birthday to get bento and sushi at a wonderful family owned sushi bar. Maguro is my favorite.
In Portland I really enjoy eating organic and there are a few restaurants that specialize in local and organic. Artichokes. Yum.
Favorite restaurants in Portland: Clarklewis, Alexis, Maki (super great Japanese food in Tigard)
Q14 Could you tell us anything what you think its cool at the moment?
Dinner parties. DIY. Supporting local industry. (hopefully that isn't a trend and lasts a long time) Organic Cotton.
Q15 Are there any people who inspired you? Who do you respect?
My dad: for sticking to his passion. He works very hard and is not always appreciated. But I am very inspired by his drive.
Also, strong women, other small designers who keep going when it is sometimes hard. Writers, musicians, and artists in general. |
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