Especially as a smaller company not all suppliers take you seriously, so this is probably the best about working with Berto!
To be able to experiment with materials, talk about this and to later order fabrics again is invaluable.
What was your first project?
My first actual project with clothing was a collection of men’s underwear which was one of the graduation projects I did at the Design Academy (I actually first graduated there, after which I also studied fashion design).
Creative process: do you work instinctively or planning each single small step? Where do your ideas come from?
My process often goes quite organically but since last year I am actually setting up my brand as creating a UNIFORM, proposing a look, for which it will be more important to really document my process, as this is a vital part of how pieces are developed. So now I will be working both ways. I always start with an idea about a silhouette I feel like making. This comes from vintage pieces I have in my archive and my personal preference at that time. I look at imagery for and atmosphere I want the look to radiate and then start on toiles, or re-work toiles I previously did.
What did you think when you have been contacted by Berto first?
Actually I discovered Berto at the Denim Days in Amsterdam when I had my bag brand. I was looking for other materials I might make my bags from. The past 2 years my (bag)brand has changed substantially and therefor I still have not fully experimented and used he denim the way I want to. I never did make bags with denim as I felt more natural to use it for clothing. I have been doing (deluxe) toiles in denim, but as I still had my bag brand it was difficult to really focus on the clothing. At the end of last year I decided to stop with the bags and focus on clothing, so for summer 2018 I will be diving into the process of using denim for the UNIFORM.
Which Berto’s fabrics have you been working with for your project/collection?
For the first toiles I have done I have used ROCK-ME air one, GLOBE SKY and DANDY BLU ONE. There was also a more shirting like fabric.
What's the most meaningful part about this project in your opinion? What have you been able to achieve thanks to this program?
It is amazing to be able to order smaller quantities at an affordable price and I have also always really appreciated the sincere interest and openness for smaller companies/designers. I find it so valuable that Berto is open to me as a designer. I used to speak to Arianna who was always so interested and sincere. Especially as a smaller company not all suppliers take you seriously, so this is probably the best about working with Berto!
To be able to experiment with materials, talk about this and to later order fabrics again is invaluable.
“Less but better” could be read as an endorsement for purity in design but in fashion design too. It can also be adopted as an environmental message about reduction and sustainability. What do you think about this?
I super agree with this and this is completely how I work. Starting with a “UNIFORM’ comes from all my years working on pieces I wear myself. This has been an ongoing process. Having a bag brand with my brother made me realize even more which my priorities are and the need to put more emphasis on this. (but of course I has also given me invaluable business experience). The reason for thinking about denim for bags is that I do not want to use leather anymore. I am vegan and try to live as responsible as possible as I think this is essential the way the world is now. Things have to change. Especially creating and being a designer I feel we should educate people and make them more aware of what they buy and why.
Is there anything you'd like to do that you haven't done yet?
It is time for the UNIFORM to be online and I would love to continue this process. This also means working with your denim, finally shooting with all kinds of models (as in sizes and age) and trying to create work following my ideals. Making people aware of what they buy and why. It would be amazing to be able to work with new materials, such as a silk like fabric where no animal is harmed.
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