Designer Bio: Odette

I am very excited to bring you this Designer Bio with Jennifer Sarkilahti of the beautiful jewelry line, Odette. As you've probably noticed before, Jennifer is a very talented designer with an equally lovely blog to boot! And this interview is just in time for the gift giving season as any Odette piece would make any girl wildly happy! Enjoy...


Roberta Jane: Tell us a little about yourself.

Jennifer: I'm a former art student who fell into jewelry making five years ago. I grew up in the suburbs of northern Virginia but I currently live in Brooklyn where I share a studio space in Greenpoint with two other designers, Jenny Gordy of the clothing line, Wiksten, and Shannon South of the recycled handbag line, Remade USA. I love our little studio community, it's a very inspiring and productive place to work.


Roberta Jane: When and Why did you start your line Odette?

Jennifer: Years ago, I finished my degree in painting and moved to New York City. I thought I would do something in the art world but I soon found it to be the wrong fit. I started making jewelry as a hobby, probably to fill some creative need I missed from not painting. I was just assembling parts then but as soon as I learned about the lost wax process for making jewelry, I totally fell head over heels. The process is like making tiny sculptures and every little detail comes across in the metal. It feels like an extension of myself as an artist and allows me to merge art and craft with commerce so that I can make a business out of it. I started my line in 2006 and currently have over 75 styles in the line. My newest collection, The Fells, is inspired by glacier hikes, fjords and Scandinavian mountain ranges.  


Roberta Jane: What are the 3 biggest inspirations for your designs?

Jennifer:
~ Nature. Just perfect and awe-inspiring. A glacier hike on a recent trip to New Zealand was an inspiration for some of the natural forms in The Fells.
~ Historical references. I love old things with a sense of history. Most things that are made these days are so bland and mass-produced, I love objects that are a little quirky or that have a story to them.
~ Art. It's where I started out so I think it always takes a part in my design process.

Roberta Jane: As a blogger yourself, what are your current top 5 favorite blogs?

Jennifer: I really do enjoy blogs, a few on heavy rotation right now: wikstenmade and reMade (my studio mates blogs), lena corwin, jeana sohn, nicomade.


Roberta Jane: Random Bonus Question: Lipstick or Lipgloss? What is your favorite brand?

Jennifer: I’m definitely more into a matte lip over a glossy one these days. Or maybe just chapstick. I love Nars Velvet Matte Lip Pencils, I rotate between Dragon Girl and Red Square depending on my mood. That and Fresh Sugar Rose Lip Treatment. Read More.. Read More..

Designer Bio: Anna Allen

Our third installment of Camp Comfort's Designer Bio features the lovely Anna Allen. Her understated yet beautiful designs have quickly gained a little cult following. So, we set out to find out what inspires Anna and her namesake line.


Roberta Jane: Tell us a little about yourself.
Anna: Hello, my name is Anna and I am a clothing designer and historian. I have been sewing for as long as I can remember and later became obsessed with the 19th century, particularly the 1850s-'60s time period. I have been studying clothing from the mid-19th century for about 13 years now. I started my business in November 2003 after graduating high school with the idea that I would only be creating historically accurate reproductions for living historians and reenactors. But a few years ago I decided to branch out and learn how to create my own patterns and garments for everyday wear. It has been a challenge, but very rewarding! I'm now able to meet both of my passions; history and clothing for today. When I'm not busy behind the sewing machine or in front of my computer (wink) I enjoy going to the park with my boyfriend, learning to cook new things, watch old movies, knit or participate in living history (though these days that is very seldom).


Roberta Jane: When and Why did you start your namesake line, Anna Allen?
Anna: I started designing and selling my own clothing line in May of this year. I have always been passionate about clothing in general, though my particular style has evolved quite a lot through the years. But as I have gotten older I am beginning to find my "look" and I wanted to have the chance to design the kind of clothing I would like in my own wardrobe. So essentially it's as if I'm designing a wardrobe for myself (though I rarely actually get to own any of my pieces!) And it's great fun coming up with new ideas and figuring out how to transform my ideas into actual patterns!

Roberta Jane: What are the 3 biggest inspirations for your collections?
Anna: History is a big one. When I decided to become a better seamstress, it was because I was so interested in historical clothing. And whenever I design a new garment, I'm almost always inspired by some particular garment from the past; whether it's men's working wear, little girl's frocks or simple dresses from the depression era. Although it's hard for me to choose just three, I'd say nature is another big one. I'm inspired by all the natural colors and forms. There's so much out there, you just have to open your eyes and see the beauty everywhere surrounding us. And lastly, I'm very much inspired by fabric! I have a client I sew historical garments for and every time she asks me to make her a dress, she hands me her fabric and says, "let the fabric speak to you." And I do. :) You'd be surprised how much fabric has to say!


Roberta Jane: As a blogger yourself, what are your Top 5 favorite blogs?
Anna: Oh boy, this is a hard one. I read way too many blogs. I have been thinking maybe I should limit my number and concentrate on a few that constantly make me happy and inspired. Although my list is always changing, here are my current top 5: un arc-en-ciel dans le lavabo, Mettes Potteri, 3191 Miles Apart, NIBS, The Pioneer Woman.

Roberta Jane: Random Bonus Question: What is your favorite season?
Anna: Summer! I know everyone and their mother likes fall, but I am a summertime girl. I love all seasons, don't get me wrong! But there is just something about the summer that I have always loved. Sundresses, bathing suits, lazy books, late evenings, outside concerts, gardening, green grass...bliss.

Be sure to check out Anna's blog Wildflowers:Pretty for more info. Thanks Anna! Read More.. Read More..

Designer Bio: Rennes

It's been a while since our last Designer Bio, so I decided it was time to bring this exciting feature back!

This time I have the extreme pleasure of bringing you a Camp Comfort exclusive (haha, that's in my journalistic voice) interview with Julia of Rennes! It's hard not to be a huge fan of Rennes, with it's beautifully simple designs and super soft leathers. So, without further adieu, here's what Julia had to say about Rennes:


Roberta Jane: Tell us a little bit about yourself.
Julia: Hi! My name is Julia and I make leather goods and accessories under the label Rennes.  Since I can remember, I've always been very busy with my hands, whether that would be sewing, drawing, or playing softball.  I grew up in the country in Connecticut and Massachusetts, and moved to Boston six years ago for college.  In school I studied art history and painting, which I loved; but in my off time I was always knitting and making jewelry.   When I have time, I play the piano and bagpipes, though it doesn't happen often. 

Roberta Jane: When and Why did you start your line Rennes?
Julia: I started Rennes as a hobby in 2008, the summer after I graduated school.  At the time I was working a retail job, so I would sew on my days off or at night when I got home.  At first I tried making clothes, but that didn't take off.  On a whim I bought leather and made a few bags, and to my astonishment they started to sell!  The idea of quitting my job and doing this full time kept coming into my head until I finally gave my two weeks notice and took the plunge.  In the beginning I had no idea what I was doing.  I didn't know anything about starting a business, and within three months I had ruined three different sewing machines - there was a different crisis every week.  These days I tend to break things at a more normal rate.



Roberta Jane: What are the 3 biggest inspirations for your collections?
Julia: One thing that has inspired me is simplicity, which has roots in a few different places.  In high school most of my friends were foreign exchange students, and I was obsessed with the things they wore.  The clothes were funky and cool, like I liked, but they were understated and classy at the same time, which I had never seen.  I had never been into fashion before, but this opened up a door for me as I was trying to define myself.  Another thing that has influenced me is having lived in a Quaker community for four years.  The experience taught me a lot about necessities and how we define what is important to us everyday, and how we live simply.  When I work I try to make designs functional with high attention to detail so they last a long time.  I think it is the small details that make a quality piece.

Roberta Jane: As a blogger yourself, what are you top 5 favorite blogs to read?
Julia: Only five?   Here are a few I read, in no particular order: Scout & Catalogue,  Vain and Vapid, Commas and Clauses, Bekvam, and Evaforeva.  There's about a hundred more that follow - blogs can be very distracting when you are trying to work during the day!


Roberta Jane: Random Bonus Question: What is your favorite color of nail polish?
Julia: I really like painting my toenails white in the summer.  I think there's something kind of fun about white toes, but I'm not sure why! 

Special thanks to Julia!

(Would love to hear from you - Do you like the Designer Bios? Any small designers you are just dying to read about? - Let me know!) Read More.. Read More..

Designer Bio: Bekväm Clothing

Camp Comfort reader Elise recently emailed me about her soon-to-be-launched (on Sept 9th) clothing label Bekväm. I was instantly into her super cute, feminine, and simple designs. I would very happily either of her newest creations: The Wilcox Dress (pictured below) and The Dorrit Dress (pictured further below).


I asked Elise a few questions about the start of her new venture, Bekväm - Here's what she had to say:

Roberta Jane: Please tell us a little bit about yourself.

Elise: My name is Hannah Elise and I make clothing for my own little label Bekvam. I live in a small town in Oregon. I've lived here my whole life, and I can't think of a place I'd rather be. I first started sewing(by hand)when I was around five. Eventually I worked my way up to using a sewing machine. The first time I sewed clothing(if a potato sack can be called that)was when I was in my pre-teens. I'm still sewing, but my clothes no longer looks like potato sacks(I hope).

RJ: When and Why did you start designing clothes for your label Bekvam?
E: I've always enjoyed the process of making clothes. I'm not sure of the exact date, but I started thinking seriously about starting my own label late last year. I wanted to make clothing for my label that was the same as the clothing I made for myself: sweet, comfortable and functional. I'm really picky when it comes to the clothes I wear, and comfort is always first . Eventually, these ideas turned into Bekväm clothing. The first garment I designed for the collection was the Wilcox dress, and that was in early spring.

RJ: Why the name Bekvam?
E: I wanted the name to convey the thought behind my label: comfort. So, I looked up comfort/comfortable in just about every dictionary I could find. Finally, I found bekväm in a Swedish dictionary. I liked the meaning and the way it sounded, it felt right.


RJ: What inspires your designs?
E: Children's books, classic literature, vintage clothing, flowers, trees, people...I get inspired by lots of different things and each one contributes to the final garment.

RJ: What would be the perfect occasion for wearing your Wilcox dress?
E: I want to wear mine when it gets cold and rainy(as Oregon often is). It's such a cozy dress, perfect for chilly Fall days.

RJ: If you could pick one person (famous or otherwise) to design clothes for, who would it be?
E: My Mother. She has always been so supportive and encouraging of my creativity.
She's just the best, and I would love to design clothes for her.

RJ: Bonus Question. What is your favorite flavor of ice cream?
E: I've always wanted to be asked this....And I have to say Dulce de leche....No contest.

Thanks to Elise for playing along! Make sure you check out her blog too!

Read More.. Read More..