Artists Feature: Strawberry Couture

It is starting to get cold out....or in some places it already is, and I just had to feature Ms. Lenore of Strawberry Couture. I've adored her hat's for a hot minute now and knew it was time to share that with you.

J: Where are you from and how do your surrounding affect your creative process??

 L:  I am originally from Ann Arbor, MI. Most of my ideas come between asleep and awake. I can ponder all day on a new idea. When I am about to fall asleep, the idea becomes clear.

J:  How long have you been designing and what is your favorite piece, why?

L: I have been designing officially designing since 2006. Designs itself have been forming in my head my whole life! The hat above, The Black Cloche is my favorite and best selling piece. There are so many ways to wear it as can be seen here: 

I have 2 of them in hot rose and toasted almond.

J: Where do you draw inspiration from?

L: Inspiration comes from everywhere and anywhere. They come at the wrong time for instance when I am washing dishes, an idea I saw on TV or a picture at a shop for a split second. Sometimes I will try to follow a pattern. I often have trouble following those so I make up my own version of it. Other times I have an idea in my head, once I finish the project, it will come out to be something else but better!

J: What do you feel makes you different from the next designer?

L: I feel different from others because I do not follow patterns; never have and never will. I will use them as a guideline. I often get request for patterns of my hats, but I choose not to. It's like asking shop owners where they buy their supplies. They WILL NOT tell you. It's my trade secret! I may give some guidelines, but I will leave it up to artists to come with their own material like I had to.

J: If you were stranded on a deserted island and could only take 3 things with you what would they be?

L: If I was stranded on a desert island, I would take my busy bag(bag of crochet yarn and needles), cell phone, and hubby. 

Jay.

Artists Feature- Myka Shoes

 

J: Where are you from?

M: I'm from Israel born and raised. Although I did spend a few years in the Netherlands where I studied at the Rietveld Academy of Art and Design in Amsterdam.

 

J: How do your surrounding affect your creative process?

M: My creative process is less affected by my surroundings, but rather from my interests. My current collection, Winter 2010/2011, is actually inspired by the movies of Pedro Almodovar, specifically the women from his movies. While my Summer 2010 collection was inspired by strong women in history. Basically I guess you can say I am inspired by strong women everywhere.

J: How long have you been designing?

M: I started sketching and designing things for myself since the day I learned to hold a pencil. My love of design really blossomed during my studies at the Rietveld Academy, and that’s when I really got more deeply involved in graphic design and the like. It wasn’t until two years ago that I decided to focus on shoe design. This is currently my second year in the business and I’m enjoying every minute of it! 

J: What is your favorite piece and why?

 M: My favorite piece is the Rebecca Snake-Embosses Heel because on one side it has a very simplistic design, yet it is an intriguing piece because it’s made from leather that is far from standard. I went for something less mainstream and more on the wild side. This is a twist that I try to put into all of my designs.

J: Where do you draw inspiration from?

 M: My inspiration is generally drawn from things that affect me deeply. Basically this goes back to question number two – strong women are always an inspiration to me, especially when they manage to break boundaries or change the course history.

J: What do you feel makes you different from the designer?

M: I truly believe that when you look good you feel good, which is why I design shoes that will make a women look good, and of course feel good, all the way down to her toes. I think one of my major differentiators is the “twist” that I add to my designs that keep the design classic, but with a pop of originality. My shoes go with your life, regardless of where you are or where you are going. Lastly, comfort is very important for me, especially when it comes to shoes. This is one of the things I focus on when designing – I want the women who wear them to be as comfortable as possible, all while feeling sexy and feminine.

J: If you were stranded on a deserted island and could only take 3 things with you what would they be?

M:It would be difficult to take my three kids without my husband, as they would be too much for me to handle. So I guess my best answer would have be sunglasses, a bathing suit and suntan lotion. If I’m going to be stranded on a deserted island I may as well get comfortable and die with a good tan.

Artist Feature - MillionaireKream

Woops this was supposed to be posted yesterday. My bad. But without further a due I present Millionaire Kream .

J: Where are you from?
M: I'M ORIGINALLY FROM OAKLAND CA AND I CURRENTLY LIVE IN BERKELEY.

J:  Bay area in the house! How do your surroundings affect your creative process?

M: I THINK THE ENVIRONMENT YOU LIVE IN HAS A HUGE EFFECT ON YOUR CREATIVE PROCESS. FOR ME I PULL MY INSPIRATION FOR THE THINGS I SEE AROUND ME EVERYDAY.

J: How long have you been designing?

M: I HAVE BEEN A FASHION DESIGNER SINCE I WAS A SENIOR IN HIGH SCHOOL SO ABOUT 7 YEARS. I JUST RECENTLY BEGAN DESIGNING EYE-WEAR ABOUT 3 MONTHS AGO.

J: What made you start?

M: I WAS WORKING WITH A RECORDING ARTIST DOING THE WARDROBE STYLING FOR A MUSIC VIDEO AND SHE ASKED ME TO MAKE SOME CUSTOM GLASSES. WE THOUGHT IT WOULD BE A NICE VISUAL FOR THE CAMERA SO I MADE TWO PAIRS AND BASED ON THE REACTION I GOT FROM EVERYONE ONCE THEY SAW THEM I WAS INSPIRED TO CONTINUE MAKING MORE GLASSES SO HERE I AM NOW! PLUS I WAS GETTING CRAZY REQUESTS TO DO CUSTOM GLASSES.

J: What is your favorite piece and why?

M: I REALLY DON'T HAVE A FAVORITE PIECE. I TEND TO BECOME ATTACHED TO ALL OF THEM IN THE BEGINNING BUT I REALLY LOVE EACH PAIR BECAUSE THEY ARE ALL DIFFERENT AND I SURPRISE MYSELF A LOT WITH THE FINAL PRODUCT.

J: Where do you draw inspiration from?

M: WHEN IT COMES TO THE SUNGLASSES I REALLY DON'T HAVE A DESIGN PROCESS. I JUST PICK A PAIR OF GLASSES AND LAY OUT THE MATERIALS I WANT TO USE THEN START WORKING. MOSTLY ANYTHING THAT CATCHES MY EYE OR IS DIFFERENT INSPIRES MY DESIGNS. I AM ALSO VERY INSPIRED BY MUSIC, I LISTEN TO ALL TYPES OF MUSIC AND DO FIND MYSELF INSPIRED BY THE ARTISTS SOMETIMES.

J: What do you feel makes you different from the designer?

M: I THINK WHAT MAKES ME DIFFERENT FROM OTHER DESIGNERS IS MY USE OF NEW AND UNUSUAL MATERIALS. AND I AM ALWAYS EVOLVING AND CHANGING AS A DESIGNER. I DON'T DWELL ON ONE LOOK OR STYLE TOO LONG SO MY DESIGNS ARE ALWAYS FRESH.I LOVE TO LOOK FOR MATERIALS IN UNCONVENTIONAL PLACES. I ALSO FEEL THAT BECAUSE I HAVE A REAL PASSION FOR WHAT I DO THERE IS A HIGH LEVEL OF CRAFTSMANSHIP THAT GOES INTO EACH PAIR. THEY DON'T LOOK LIKE I MADE THEM IN A KITCHEN. THEY ARE VERY PROFESSIONAL AND CLEAN.

J: If you were stranded on a deserted island and could only take 3 things with you what would they be?

M: IF I WAS STUCK ANYWHERE FIRST I COULDN'T FATHOM GOING A DAY WITHOUT MY IPOD, SECOND I WOULD NEED THE LOVE OF MY LIFE AND THIRD AN ENDLESS SUPPLY OF CHICKEN PAD SE EW (THAI FOOD).I'M REALLY NOT TOO HARD TO PLEASE BUT DON'T TELL MY FIANCE I PUT THE IPOD BEFORE HIM :)

Fab

Jay. =)