Interview: Whosiepie
Today’s designer, Whosiepie, is literally right in our backyard. She’s so close she actually works in Trish’s shop, Mergirl. Laura is the brainchild behind Whosiepie and all of it’s fun bright wearable pieces of art. We love her spunk and her vast knowledge of anything related to fashion!
Laura was nice enough to stop sewing for two seconds and let us in on what Whosiepie is all about …
SD: Where did you go to school and what did you study?
LW: I received a BFA in Fine Art from The Art Institute of Boston in 1996. I also studied Painting in Italy at L’Accademia di Belle Arti in Viterbo, Italy.
SD: What was your first job in this industry?
LW: I currently, work for Mergirl in Trish Ginter’s workroom as a sewer. This is my first official “fashion industry” job. Its inspiring. She is a wizard. I have always been a painter and an illustrator. In addition to silk screening, I began making clothing and accessories about 6 years ago and sold my line through trunk shows and studio sales. Now I sell at Mergirl and on Smashing Darling - only - and I really, really like it this way.
SD: What inspires your designs?
LW: I am inspired by so, so many things…but in short, at the moment: Vintage Floral, Swedish, Japanese Prints. My latest clothing is sort of a blend of the Ladies of the Canyon - kind of 1970s California/Folky with an Annie Hall - kind of Understated Sexy/Tomboy idea … It’ll be on Smashing Darling shortly. As a standard, I am drawn to clean Italian designs, Indian and Moroccan Prints and Hues and of course, I love beautiful, soft, amazingly comfortable cottons.
SD: What is your design process?
LW: I draw from the millions of photos I take, illustrations, doodles or from Vintage prints and patterns for most of my silk screen designs. My aprons and bags are inspired by the fabric, exclusively. I dig for cool fabric and if its not interesting enough, I print on it. My clothing line is a mix of comfort and functionality and I work hard to find unique fabric that lends itself to those elements. Again, if its not speaking quite enough to me, I’ll brand it with a silk screened print.
SD: Describe your philosophy behind your designs?
LW: Its basically the same as my philosophy for living, in general. This lifetime will go by fast and can be really hard at times, so to hold back and to not give yourself the opportunity to express your true style would be a shame. I feel that way about the clothes and the prints I make…Be comfortable, be mindful but be one of those people that you, yourself, would look at and say, “That person really knows him or herself.”.
SD: What does your average day entail?
LW: Up at the crack… coffee…email…listen to the headlines on NPR as I scramble over to my studio…sew a bunch of 80% finished WHOSIEPIE pieces that I’d started the day before, label them and then start a few new pieces that I won’t finish until the following day. Scramble over to MERGIRL BOUTIQUE…park myself at Trish Ginter’s Overlock Machine…laugh…sew MERGIRL clothing…hydrate… sew…sell… sew… laugh…Finally, I mosey home and often go to bed so early that my friends are dumbfounded at how it is even possible for one to sleep that early and on through the night. I love that.
SD: If you knew then (before you started your business) what you know now, what would you do differently?
LW: I’ve learned so much from the various avenues I’ve cartwheeled down but I will say that TECHNOLOGY is definitely my friend.
SD: In your opinion what is the best and worst current fashion trend?
LW: I was astounded when I saw folks cruising around in those primary-colored, puffy REEBOK hightops! Don’t get me wrong - I totally wore those the first time around - in WHITE, though. And I was in 7th grade so I didn’t really know any better. No one did - It was 1984.
SD: Who is your greatest influence and why?
LW: 100% = My mother. She has been sewing for 50 (!) years. It was (is, still, in a way) her living and she did it (does it) so gracefully and masterfully. She sewed 24/7 in our house growing up. There was always a sewing machine humming, ladies being fitted in their custom gowns or clothing designed and crafted by her, lines of handbags, alterations, curtains, pillows…and on and on. I’d accompany her to the
Fabric Store several times a week and race to the pattern catalogs where I’d remain for the duration of the visit. They fascinated me but as my mom still points out, I was mostly making fun of the hairdos.
SD: What do you think the hardest aspect of the fashion industry is?
LW: FOCUS. Being independent is so great but it requires a lot of discipline. Sometimes its tough for me to concentrate on one aspect of my business. I - kind of - have to keep moving at all times.
SD: Do you have any events you are getting ready for in the near future?
LW: I am just ramping up for the oncoming Holiday Season which is ALWAYS a great time of year for WHOSIE.
SD: What’s next for your line?
LW: Funny you should ask…Like many, I have environmental concerns. I am joining the Eco Revolution and launching a new Grocery Bag today. I have a lot planned for this line and it will continue to grow. Available exclusively at SMASHING DARLING.
SD: If there was one designer on Smashing Darling you could ask a question to who would it be and what would you ask them?
LW: I would just like to tell Nichole Angelina Grazioli that I like her style - especially the Ruffled Booty Shorts. Really cool.
