If you want to add some excitement to what you wear, Erika Hendrix has what you need and want – handmade sweatshop free limited-edition clothes and accessories for women and men. I recently had the pleasure of catching up with with Erika. In my opinion, this emerging designer is working hard to shape her brand. The clothing she is designing is young, funky and fresh. I think she does a great job at continuing this message with the way she photographs her items. It is all consistent and congruent to her messaging.

Trish: How did you get into business of fashion?
Erika: I wasn’t always into fashion, when I was in high school I wore awful clothes like acid washed jeans and big sweaters, but I found my love for fashion after I graduated.

Trish: When did you start your own line of clothing?
Erika: I started sewing when I was pregnant in 2002 and I knew I want to make clothes to sell, not wear, so I went to boutiques and asked if they want to carry my line and it all went from there. I started Erika Hendrix in July 2005.

Trish: How is your clothing produced?
Erika: Everything from the idea to the finished product is made by me…I am a one woman sweatshop. Whats very important to me is that you look and feel good in your clothes, so I use mostly stretchy fabrics made of natural fibers, such as cotton or linen.

Trish: Where do you turn for inspiration for your designs?
Erika: Oh, everyday life is my biggest inspiration! Give me a washcloth and I get tons of ideas. Or different books I find, I just bought a Pin-up book which is very inspiring.

Trish: How do you market yourself and your label?
Erika: I do most of my networking and marketing online or through word of mouth. I have my website www.erikahendrix.com and I am on other awesome sites like Smashing Darling!

Trish: How do you see your company in the future?
Erika: To get my items in as many boutiques all over the world, everyone should know Erika Hendrix. I just introduced my first full collection and I will bring out a collection every 6 months, Spring/Summer in Dec/Jan and Fall/Winter in Jun/Jul. What I don’t want is for my clothes to be mass-produced. I have been asked before and I turned it down because I always want Erika Hendrix to be a limited-edition eco-friendly label.

Trish: What does your average day entail?
Erika: Getting up early, checking emails, filling orders from the website or various stores and entertaining my 5 year old. Soon I will start designing my new Spring/Summer Collections, that’s my favorite part!

Trish: Describe your personal style?
Erika: It’s a bit of everything but I love skinny jeans and tank tops. I like it easy and comfortable, especially with a 5 year old son, but still stylish - Unique and Stylish, just like the clothes I am making!

Trish: Who are your fashion icons (past or present)? Do you think they influenced your personal style?
Erika: I don’t really have a fashion icon. There are certain styles that I think influence my personal style, like punk and rockabilly. And I just love to do my own thing, not being mainstream.

Trish: Do you have any current fashion obsessions?
Erika: Oh, like I said skinny jeans or pants, everything skinny. And I love big cardigans, waist belts and heels…I could go on and on about all the amazing things I love…

Trish: Is there anyone in the Smashing Darling community you have a question or comment for?
Erika: Everyone on Smashing Darling is so talented and you all ROCK! Just keep doing what you are doing! And I think we should all be aware of how important it is to support small and independent businesses and tell everyone about it!

If you enjoyed this interview, you may also like to read the interview with Kaytee of Papusza Couture. Don’t for get to check in tomorrow for How Do You Wear Your Indie Fashion. As always, don’t forget to sign up to our newsletter and RSS feed the blog. If you would like to be featured in one of our segments, contact me, trish@smashingdarling.com

One mor thing…Enter the SheFinds Freebie Friday to be in the running for the $500 Shopping Spree to Smashing Darling.

I am asking indie designers to share with the community…Who Inspires You. I thought this would be a great way for designers to share with us other indie designers that they may turn to for inspiration. Today’s indie designer spotlight is done by Laura Larson designer for Whosiepie.

So thrilled to discover NYC-based MATTA’s updated, user/shopper/curious-follower friendly website! Lots of gorgeous photos of new products. Its nice to know that you can count on your favorite designers to continue to inspire…

I have been obsessed with Cristina Gitti’s simple yet beautiful, clean designs for many, many years. I’d collected lovely, handmade bags from her previous line MALATESTA - purchased from DINA VARANO ’s shop in Connecticut. I went on to covet her sweet sarongs (in matching cotton bags) at shops in San Francisco like NEST and WORKSHOP. All of her pieces - treasures to me.
From Matta’s website:

“Matta is fresh, timeless and liberating. Matta is a combination of a simple style and endless possibilities.”

“Founder and designer of Matta, Cristina Gitti has always been inspired by the numerous possibilities of handmade design. Her textile and clothing ventures have been based on the central theme of limitless forms of individually made creations and her journeys. Her travels continue with Matta collections in the same combinations of mixing age-old techniques with new colors. The feeling of movement and sense of history translate in the vibrant color palate and through the varied textures.”

“The Matta ready-to-wear collection includes lightweight cottons, wools and silks, which are tailored to create shirts, tunics, skirts and dresses for women. Rich textiles and fresh tones are further developed in pashmina, wool and silk shawls, scarves, home accessories and children’s clothing. Cristina continues the collection by creating hand stitched leather sandals, handbags, recycled paper products and more.”

Smashing Darling has paired up with SheFinds for

Freebie Friday: Win A $500 Shopping Spree At Smashing Darling

What: $500 to spend anywhere on SmashingDarling.com.

Why: Smashing Darling stocks a seemingly endless collection of jewelry, clothes, and all kinds of accessories from independent designers you definitely won’t see in the mall. There is quite literally something (actually, a whole lot of things) for everyone.

Probably because we’ve been more than a little into Mad Men lately, we like the retro look of this Elleira Couture jacket and the classic vibe of this Kate Boggiano sweater.

And the jewelry is fabulous too. This elegant-hip necklace from Jennifer King Designs would work well against a solid-colored tee or with a blazer and camisole, and this cool ring from Manic Trout is made from wire and a vintage button. We could go on.

How: Go to SmashingDarling.com, look around, then come back and comment telling us one or a few of the things you’d buy with $500.
And don’t forget stop by MomFinds for a chance to win a pair of Robeez Mini Shoez.

1. Post in the comments section at SheFinds.com about what you’d buy at SmashingDarling.com.

2. You must supply us with a valid email address and sign up for the SheFinds newsletter.

3. The contest starts now and entries must be date stamped by our server no later than Friday, October 3rd, 2008 at 11:59 AM Eastern Time to be eligible.

4. One winner will be selected during a random drawing and will be announced in the October 7th SheFinds newsletter. The winner must reply via email as instructed in the newsletter to claim the prize.

5. No prize substitutions.

6. You must be 18 years old or older to enter and a resident of the USA.

7. No purchase necessary.

8. Void where prohibited.

9. Click here for the full rules.

My personal effort to make my wardrobe more earth-friendly has always included independent designers; without them, we wouldn’t HAVE a “green” fashion movement, nor would we have the choices we do now of stylish, eco-friendly clothing & accessories.  But lately, I’ve been exploring more vintage options; “new” raw materials aren’t being used, to create them, so buying vintage is essentially fashionable recycling.  And since I’m not the greatest thrift-store shopper around, searching for vintage treasures online is my favorite way to shop.  I love that at Smashing Darling, I can shop from a few eco-friendly designers AND vintage sellers at the same place…so just for fun, here’s an outfit I put together:

fabulous reworked 50’s black swing dress
lovely vintage embroidered handbag
gorgeous vintage mother-of-pearl cuff from India
to “modernize” the outfit a little bit, a comfy bamboo/organic cotton wrap top by Sandmaiden

Don’t forget to pop over to Grechen’s Closet to see what she has to say today.

Last Call For…
Fashion Workshops
This Weekend in Atlanta!

Sept 27th & 28th:
*HOW TO START YOUR FASHION COMPANY (Clothing + Accessories Lines)

*HOW TO START YOUR FASHION COMPANY (Boutique + E Commerce Website)

*HOW TO MANUFACTURE /MASS PRODUCE YOUR CLOTHING + ACCESSORIES LINES

*HOW TO BECOME A FASHION STYLIST

We only have a few spots left so register now or get more info @ www.mshopnyc.com!
M Shop NYC has rocked out a NYC boutique, are E-commerce website owners; produce tons of Fashion Shows & Special Events for designers, retailers, and corporations nationwide; have a Public Relations arm; are Fashion Consultants; co-design the successful line LaMa, as well as our own M Shop line ; and have dressed everyone on the A-List including Mary J Blige, Shakira, L’il Kim, Lenny Kravitz, Pharell, and the Dixie Chicks.
We have been seen spitting fashion tips and trend spotting on Full Frontal Fashion, Fox’s Ambush Makeover, The Today Show, and every funky fashion magazine out there. And we do it ourselves, without any press person working for us.
In addition to the most informative workshops around, we currently teach at Parsons The New School For Design in NYC, and have a marketing partnership with 24/Seven, the Fashion Industry’s leading job placement agency. We teach a separate How To Manufacture/Mass Produce Your Clothing + Accessories Lines Workshop that you’ll need to mass produce your line once it’s designed. We also do Manufacturing and Production Consulting (with over 20 years of fashion manufacturing and production experience in the NYC Garment District) and have written the guide booklet “HOW TO MANUFACTURE/PRODUCE YOUR DESIGNS,” available now by clicking here. For more information on the instructor’s background click here.
*This workshop has been attended by Chris Stokes (Music Producer and Film Director), Marques Houston (Recording Artist and Actor), and their team to gain fashion industry knowledge for their new high end line Christopher Brian Apparel.

You will learn:
1. Business Aspects-
How to start, structure, and form a working business plan, various options for your company structure, the proper licenses or registrations you will need. Learn how to get loans, financing, or grants, do’s & don’ts of using your own money, and other helpful resources that will get the job done.

2. Developing, Producing, and Sourcing your Clothing and Accessories Line-
How to get your ideas out of your head, even if you can’t sketch, and made into an actual line - whether it’s shoe, clothing, or accessories. Getting samples and patterns made, graded, and more. Find out how to secure fabric and trims, and to create development sheets. Learn the importance of timing and being able to deliver your products, spotting trends, conducting market research, and building a collection that will sell to retailers. Learn all of the options for selling your line, including trade shows, showrooms, sales reps, and tons more.

3. Marketing and Brand Identity-
How to pick & register your business name, the importance of logos, trademarks, company image, and identity. Once you have that- how to target the right market based on what you are producing or offering to make sales.

This 2 hour workshop is very thorough and intense, but is a fun place to network, meet, and learn. You will gain knowledge on all aspects of starting a fashion line. In fact, you will most likely not find all of this information in any one place. This workshop provides invaluable consolidated information based on experience that makes applying it extremely approachable. A question and answer period will follow so that you get your personal questions answered. In addition, all registrants will receive access to our Fashion Blog and a very thorough Resource Guide that includes tons of resources you’ll need along the way. No recording devices permitted. *Any other use of the workshops, including for reproduction purposes, modification, distribution or republication, without the prior express written permission of M Shop NYC is strictly prohibited.

Reserve your spot now, as space is limited and fills up quickly. Payment is required at time of reservation to guarantee your spot. All major credit cards, PayPal, as well as money orders are accepted. Register right here online. Or contact: workshops@mshopnyc.com or (718) 501-1349 to order, or for more information.

Name: Laura Larson
Occupation: Designer (of whosiepie)
Location: East Bumble, East Coast

This is my husband and I on our wedding day — just about a month ago.
Photo by Nancy Dion
I am wearing a MERGIRL COUTURE custom gown — bias-cut silk charmeuse with a vintage, cotton crochet {ahem} tablecloth (old) for starters.

Photo by Nancy Dion

Custom sterling silver earrings (new) by DINA VARANO. A FOUNDLING “poppy” hair pin (borrowed)

Photo by Nancy Dion

and a really amazing pair of SALVATORE FERRAGAMO (blue) wedges.

My husband is wearing JOHN VARVATOS pinstriped trousers, shirt by ROBERT GRAHAM, vest by PENGUIN and shoes by REEF.

What’s your favorite piece of clothing?
Eggplant STEWART+BROWN organic cotton longsleeved tee. Several years old. Many, many washings. Love it.

What 3 things can’t you live without?
My Beautiful Husband
Hot Sauce (Challulah, namely)
Coffee

What one word describes you most?
Observant

If you would like to be featured in this segment, How Do You wear Your Indie Fashion, please email me trish@smashingdarling.com. Let the community see who you are and what you are wearing. It is a great way to give a shout out to your favorite indie designers.

This interview was originally posted by the blog Digital Ape, a blog written by James Grady.

ANNA HOVET: FASHION ROCKS!!

Name: Anna Hovet
Age: 23
location: Chicago
contact: ahovet@yahoo.com-Fashion ROCKS ?!?!?
Hell Yeah!!!

-How old were you when you started getting involved in fashion design or the fashion world in general??
I got into fashion when I was 10 and started watching music videos. Instantly I was infatuated with the over-stylized music video attire…keep in mind this was back when female singers/rappers actually wore clothing in music videos. I started developing my own fashion path and decided to attend the School of the Art Institute of Chicago - this education pushed me to my creative and critical limits to make me the designer I am today.

-who’s your favorite and/or most influential designer, and why??
Lara Miller. She is a Chicago designer and fellow SAIC alum whose beautiful garments are all environment friendly, American made, and multi-functional. I interned for her and continue to be inspired by her creativity, work ethic, and moral standings.

- So If you had the choice of all designers in the world to work with/for, would that person be your choice??
Oh wow – I guess I’d want to work for myself. As an artist it’s hard for me to compromise my designs for someone else’s vision. I wouldn’t mind learning some tricks from Betsey Johnson though

-What influences your work, and can u describe the process of materializing an ideal??
My work is influenced by my world – everything around me – nature, photography, fabric, social themes, seriously…give me an ear of corn and I’ll create a collection based on it!! Haha! I have a major obsession with the female form and how fabric drapes on the body. When I get an idea for a collection or garment I sketch dozens and dozens of ideas out and edit them down. I begin by draping fabric on my dress form until I have it perfect, mark the fabric, create a pattern, sew up a muslin garment to work out the kinks, cut the fabric, and sew it up!

-Does your work reflect your personal fashion taste?? Can you describe your style?
My style is a mix of so many aesthetics I have trouble defining my particular style, I just make and wear what I like! My womenswear is often very girly, bright colored, and form fitting, while my menswear is more urban and structured. I love making found objects into wearable art. My everyday outfit consists of my grandma’s shoes, designer skinny jeans, hypercolor tee, vintage jacket, my mom’s jewelry from the 80s, and an Obama08 pin.

-what are things you steer clear of when designing clothes??
Anything that I’ve ever seen done before.

-what trends in fashion make you “euggghck” or rather cringe??
Right now it’s bootcut black pants and Crocs but trends are constantly evolving so I might be rocking them both in a few years haha!

-Have you done any runway shows? If so, how does it feel to see models hit the runway in your work??
Yeah, I’ve styled and had pieces in a number of fashion shows for AKIRA, SAIC, and The Fashion Revolution. It’s always nice to see my garments on models, but it’s REALLY exciting when I see everyday people wearing my clothes because they love them. I feel such a sense of purpose when people love and understand my art.

-what future projects are you working on??
I’ll be slaving over my sewing machine creating custom orders for while then back to the drawing board.

-Do you sell your pieces?? If so, where can people buy your stuff?
All my pieces are one of a kind so I often have a hard time letting them go. But I do custom orders and I’m selling the coolest fall jacket you’ve ever seen on SmashingDarling.com. Check it out: Anna’s wool-convertible-jacket

-So yea, I’m balling on collegiate budget, but if i were to inquire about a custom jacket…how would i go about contacting you? Do you have a website??
Best way is to email me directly at ahovet@yahoo.com. My website is www.annahovet.com - It’s designed and maintained by goldenwebmaster.com – if you need a website holla at him!

-last question, what are some of your interests and hobbies outside of fashion design??
I have sooo many! I travel every chance I get, I love art, dancing, politics, my dog, Lil Wayne, prismacolor markers, robots, Kahlua, owls…

-shout outs:
Maggie O and Danimal

I stumbled upon the movie The Devil Wears Prada this weekend and just happened to watch it long enough to catch the scene in which Miranda (Meryl Streep) is very precisely telling her new assistant Andy, how, whether she likes it or not, she is a part of the fashion industry. She explains to Andy (Anne Hathaway) she is a part of the industry just by there mere fact that she wears clothing. With one flick of the tongue Miranda makes it clear which part Andy has made the choice to be a part of.

This made me think about our community as a whole and about all of our members individually and the part we all play in the fashion industry. It made me ask myself, do I want to be an active member of this industry and care about what I are putting out there or do I want to be passive and act like it is something that is happening to me…not caring what message I am sending to the rest of the world.  Even though I see myself as an active member of the fashion industry, and you may too, I think it is always good to check in and question myself to be sure that what I think I am, I really am as a consumer and a designer. If you don’t see yourself as a part of this multi–billion dollar industry, you will want to watch this video clip. It will shed a little light.  The Devil Wears Prada

My dear girlfriend Michele is pregnant.  She also happens to be drop dead gorgeous but is having lots of days where she feels decidedly not gorgeous because she is pregnant. For all of us that have gone through the amazing/terrifying experience of pregnancy, we know how she feels…With your body changing rapidly and your emotions in turmoil it’s difficult to find clothes that you feel comfortable and stylish in.  Keeping this in mind, I wandered through all of the wonderful shops in Smashing Darling and chose some beautiful things for her that will keep her feeling and looking chic (both now and postpartum) and also help get her prepared for the new baby!

Who says you have to look frumpy when you’re pregnant? This gorgeous dress from Sandmaiden is so chic and because of it’s empire waist, it can be worn while pregnant and for years afterward.  The lovely grey Molly purse is nice and roomy so you could potentially stick a bottle and some diapers in it as well as your personal items.  I love pretty much anything that Dina Varano does but this beautiful bracelet looks stunning and comfortable and you could use your wrist as a rattle if you were desperate! The lotus earrings from stone soup are so simple and elegant and just short enough to avoid grabby little hands.  And we can’t forget cool baby gear…The Silbo designs blanket looks so soft and lets face it- it never hurts to start pushing music early right?  These cool t-shirts from Studio 119 are made to order with whatever name you wish and they are such a fun conversation piece!
To read more about Michele, and see more of my favorite Smashing Darling things for Mamas take a peek at my blog lusciousmetals.blogspot.com.

Stone soup lotus earrings
Sandmaiden chemise
Dina varano bracelet
Studio 119 motorcycle shirt
Silbo designs baby blanket
Molly purse