Darling Designer Profile: Stacie Taylor – Designer, Stacie May

Stacie May is a San Diego-based designer whose vintage inspired looks possess a unique timelessness. The inspiration for Stacie May’s whimsical, flirty, yet graceful looks can be attributed to a combination of life inundation and appreciation of antique and vintage collectibles. She has a flair for experimentation with fabrics, colors, textures, and cuts that compliment, and is inspired by art, music, movies, history, and architecture.

Darlings: How did you get into fashion?
Stacie May: I got into fashion at a very young age. When all the other girls were playing make believe with their Barbie’s, I was actually more interested in designing her clothes. I’ve always been surrounded by and experimented with all forms of art. Fashion Design was the form that I became most interested in mostly due to the medium of fabric and what it does when manipulated to the body.

Darlings: When did you start your own line of clothing?
Stacie May: Some would say I started when was 9 or 10 when I actually learned how to use a real sewing machine and starting turning old jeans and hand-me-down clothing into new pieces. Officially, though, I launched my first full collection the year I graduated college in 1995. I’ve mostly been designing for fun and a way to express myself as well as doing costume design until the past year when I decided to launch my own business.

Darlings: Where do you turn for inspiration for your designs?
Stacie May: My inspiration comes mostly from moms, grand-moms, sisters, aunts, nieces, and girlfriends. In addition, I grew up with parents who had an ever-growing ecclectic assortment of antiques and vintage collectibles which I now appreciate as treasures. I often times go antique and vintage window shopping for inspiration. Fabric also inspires me. Just looking and feeling fabric will spark new ideas for designs.

Darlings: What does your average day entail?
Stacie May: Because I am an independent designer who has only recently launched her business, I work a day job to support myself and my business endeavors-for now. After the 8-hour or more day job, I spend another 6-8 hours a night and 75% of my weekends juggling a number of tasks such as updating my website, designing, promoting, producing my next collection, keeping up with the demand of the current collection, researching, doing photo shoots, creating advertising collateral, the occassional interview, sending blasts, and networking to really get my brand out there. It’s a lot but never seems like it because I love doing it so much.

Darlings: Does your community feel like a supportive locale for emerging designers?
Stacie May: Recently, San Diego as a whole has become less of a lazy beach town and more of a cultural Mecca due to the many emerging art, music, theater, and fashion groups. San Diegans in general are slowly but surely starting to embrace the idea that they don’t have to travel to LA or New York to get their fashion fix. Hopefully with exciting things happening such as the launch of the first annual Fashion Week San Diego this past October and the rise of independently owned boutiques in the area, independent fashion awareness will heighten here.

Darlings: Who is your customer?
Stacie May: My customer base right now consists of women of all ages, backgrounds, and body types which meets my exact goal for Stacie May. I strive to make my designs wearable, comfortable, and flattering for a variety of women. The funny thing is that some of my business is actually coming from boyfriends and husbands who want to see their girlfriends and wives in a Stacie May. I think that’s great.

Darlings: How do you market yourself and your label?
Stacie May: Being a participant of Fashion Week San Diego 2008, Scottsdale Fashion Week 2008, and the upcoming Escondido Fashion Week 2009 has presented many opportunities for Stacie May. Simply showing the Stacie May collection has proven to be the most effective marketing tool. Networking and joining networking groups such as Stiletto Evolution Group here in San Diego have also introduced opportunities as well as opening my boutique with Smashing Darling.

Darlings: How do you see your company in the future?
Stacie May: Stacie May is going to grow into a successful clothing business. However long that may take, and no matter how many obstacles there may be along the way because of it, I would really like to see Stacie May remain independent. I love how the the up and coming indie designer community is evolving into such a supportive, creative, free-spirited, and encouraging environment in which we all look out for each other.

Darlings: Describe your personal style?
Stacie May: My personal style varies a lot depending on the situation. I can completely go comfy in my favorite pair of jeans or Dickies, a screen print tee, and of course a San Diego staple-flip flops. I also like to be very girly at times and for the right occasion I’ll completely go ultra femme with heels, eyelashes, makeup, and jewelry. I also have things in my closet that hit everything in between. As a general rule though, I’m much more comfortable in the relaxed jeans and T-shirts.

Darlings: Who are your fashion icons (past or present)? Do you think they influenced your personal style?
Stacie May: Some of my favorites consist of Diane Von Furstenberg because of her inspiring attitude and confidence, Gianni Versace, for his artistic vision, Stella McCartney for her relaxed but feminine style, Erte for his originality and extravagant detailing, and my absolute favorite currently is Elie Saab. What Elie creates is true beautiful art as fashion. My personal style is probably more along the lines of Stella McCartney with a dash of Elie Saab.

Darlings: Do you have any current fashion obsessions?
Stacie May: I am obsessed with Vintage clothing particularly from the turn of the century up to the 1960’s. I have a tendency to buy pieces of it just have it in my closet even if it’s never worn. I frequent vintage clothing stores just to study it and be inspired. I’m continually fascinated with the construction, cuts, and detailing of the past. There are so many hand-crafted and tailored details, hand beading and trims, hand sewn hems and buttonholes. I think that true tailoring is a thing of the past that should make a comeback. It’s the detailing and time that it takes to do those few distinctive things that make pieces so special.

Darlings: Is there anyone in the Smashing Darling community you have a question or comment for?
Stacie May: Smashing Darling is an excellent concept. I love the idea of having a store or “mall” for just independent designers and I’m pleased to be a part of it. I think the general public is also starving for somewhere to shop where they can get things that are completely different than what everyone else might be wearing. Cheers to you, SD!