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!