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How do you think fashion design in the Twin Cities today differs from previous years?

As always, fashion is an ever changing/ever evolving industry.  That’s one of the things I love about it.  One minute everywhere you look the fashions from the 80’s are all around you, then the next you’re looking at futuristic fashions for the year 2090.

In your own words, can you describe the development, if any, of fashion design in this area?

The Twin Cities is one of the best untapped resources in the world!  The level of creativity here just amazes me.  You’ve got people like Laura Fulk, Arwyn Birch, and Rachel Carlson selling their items in stores around the Twin Cities when realistically they could very well be having their own boutique in New York or LA.  I think that arts in general have found a home here in Minnesota and fashion just happens to be a big part of it.

Do you think that people are becoming more interested in fashion design, and if so, why?

I think that people are becoming more and more interested in couture.  These days people want to stand out and be able to say they have a one-of-a-kind, designed just for them piece.  That, fueled by people with amazing amounts of creativity and skill, have ignited a fire for fashion design. 

What would you like to see happen with fashion design in the Twin Cities in the future?

I would love to see more of it!  I know there’s plenty more designers out there who are sewing hand made patches together to make a skirt, or inventing an outfit out of a simple piece of fabric.  I would really like to see all those talented people be able to get their stuff out there

What do you think the biggest misconception of fashion design is?  What do you think the reason is?

I think the biggest misconception of fashion design is when I hear most people say, “I’m not creative enough to design something.”  Everyone is creative in their own way.  It might be reconstructing something vintage into something modern or creating something completely original.  Everyone at some point in their life has designed something; it’s all in how you look at it.  You’ve gone into your closet and pulled out a pair of pants and a shirt and with some accessories made it something totally different – that’s an element of design.

What other things, if any, do you think are misunderstood about fashion and designers?  Why?

I don’t necessarily think there’s a whole lot of misconceptions or misunderstandings as far as fashion designers go, but I do believe they don’t get anywhere near the credit they should be getting.  Even national clothing chains; someone designed every piece of clothing in that store!  Now you look at local boutiques like Cliché and Design Collective and they showcase an immense amount of local talent, but not too many people know about these stores, so the recognition for local designers is low.  That needs to change for fashion to move forward here in the Twin Cities.

In your opinion, why is fashion , and design in general, important in society? 

Fashion says so much about you.  When you’re walking down the street, you can tell a lot about a person from the way the dress.  It’s the way you present yourself to the world.  Fashion is a symbol of you want to be and who you want others to see you as.

 
               EDITOR'S NOTE
 

What are the qualities of a good designer?                                                                 

I don’t think there’s any rule book to designers or any sort of recipe that says, “This is what makes a good designer.”  It’s all about opinions and creativity.  My favorite saying is “one mans trash is another mans treasure”.  It’s so true.  Something might be beautiful to you, but to me it looks like junk.  So to me, the only thing a good designer needs is a thick skin.  They need to understand that with each design they’re putting a little piece of themselves into the world and people will either love it or hate it, but you got to keep doing it if it makes you happy.

What are the qualities of good fashion?

Good fashion is wearable art.  It makes you feel good on the inside and look great on the outside.

Do you think design and designers get the respect they deserve?

No I don’t.  I think people pick up a local designers piece and don’t think about where it really came from.  It came from someone’s hands.  Someone toiled over that fabric and loved that fabric into a piece of clothing that someone else could wear.  Each and every designer piece should be admired and recognized for the work that it is.  It may be something you’d wear, it may not – but the piece, and the designer, deserves some reverence.

What sorts of things do you look for to cover in your magazine?

Anything fashion related.  From designers to local boutiques, salons, shopping addictions, the latest trends, trends we’d like to see come back, the best place to get the best deal – if it has something to do with fashion in the Twin Cities, you’ll see it in FAME Digest.

Where has the best material come from, and what made it the best?

The best material comes from people like you – everyday people.  The readers of FAME Digest are just everyday people who have an interest in fashion in the Twin Cities.  Our magazine is for them and when they contribute and tell us what they want to read about, that makes the best material.

What role do you feel you play in developing the fashion/design scene in the Twin Cities?

I hope that the magazine is shedding a well deserved, long forgotten spotlight onto the designers of the Twin Cities.  So many people want to be a model or are a fashion designer and they think they have to run off to LA to do something really big.  You don’t have to!  You can stay right here in Minnesota and get featured in a magazine and announce to the entire Twin Cities who you are.  I created this magazine to be a stepping stone for a lot of people, I am really looking forward to the day when someone comes to me and says, “Hey!  I sold my stuff to a huge chain today and they contacted me because they saw me in FAME Digest.”

What do you wish you could teach everyone about fashion?

I wish that I could teach everyone that fashion is simply an expression.  It’s fun!  Don’t take it so seriously!  Play with different ideas, different designs.  Make use of your local boutiques and designers.  Couture is not a scary word and it doesn’t mean just New York or LA.

What do you think it is important everyone should know about fashion design, and designers?

I think the most important thing for people to know about fashion design, and designers are that they need to be looked upon as the inspiring people they are.  It’s important that people realize how much skill and talent it takes to design something and put it out there for the whole world to criticize and wear. 

Why do you think fashion is so intriguing to some?

Fashion has always been and will always be a point of discussion.  The reason being that it’s ever evolving.  There will always be a new design that everyone wants, so everyone talks about it.  The fact that fashion can take you from formal high class society to bumming out at Wal-Mart will always make it an intriguing part of life.

What, if any, are the benefits of thinking creatively about things? 

Well there are pros and cons to everything, but thinking of things creatively can leave room for possibilities.  When you leave room for creativity you leave room for improvement.  Think outside the box, open the box, play with the box – make the box into a tube.  Thinking creatively not only allows you an outlet for expressing yourself, it allows you the possibility of seeing things in a different light.

 
 
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