This interview makes me happy. All of you darling designers make us happy. Thank you for keeping us inspired to stay on our path, follow our dream. Anjia Jalac has been on the site for some time. She was one of the first crew to respond to a question we shouted out to the community, she was listening – that keeps us going (hint). We met her at our first Darling Soiree last June (there will be more, promise)…and now we can all get to know her a bit better in the interview below. The best part – she shared a sneak peek at some of her new designs about to land in her (delicious) Darling boutique … love and cupcakes for all!

Cheers to the fun-loving, show-stopping fabulous dame, who wears what she pleases, whenever, wherever, and with whomever she sees fit.  Where wardrobe is one fierce accomplice to her ever changing, sassy sense of style.  Something different- sometimes delicate, carefully hand crafted, guaranteed original, and hardly ever bland.  Some inspired by time periods, some by textures, some by people.  Built from recycled vintage, found fabrics, reworked textiles and some good ‘ol fashion lovin’, of course.  Guaranteed fresh from Brooklyn, NY.
love, anjia

Darlings: Where are you from originally, and how did you get into fashion?
Anjia: I grew up in Marinduque, Philippines!  When I couldn’t spend the day outside, because of rain or a fever, I would doodle girls in different outfits.  I guess that became a bit of a love affair.  Nothing else came along that interested me more than making clothes…

Cupckake Skirts – coming soon

Darlings: When did you start your own line of clothing?
Anjia: A little over 3 years ago.  Before that, I was making clothes here and there for friends, myself and family.

Darlings: If your studio walls could talk, what would they say?
Anjia: Hmm. Well, the time I spend at my studio has fluctuated on a roller coaster scale: a few obsessive over-nighters in a row, then there’s an absence on my part.  Inspiration comes in bursts.  I think my studio would prefer a little more consistency in the relationship, and would say so, if she could. I definitely agree. We’re working it out. =)

Darlings: What inspires your designs?
Anjia: Friends and lovers, live and inanimate.  Vintage science fiction, space creatures, desserts with frosting, reptile parts, insects, found objects, indigenous people, functionality, recycling, old technology and machinery, my sister, natural textures, Tom Waits.

Darlings: You are also a freelance costume designer, tell us all about it! Any favorite costumes, and what for?
Anjia: It’s fun!  I’ve had the lovely opportunity to work with Bill T. Jones, making costumes for some of his modern dance pieces and it’s been a great experience.  Doing research for a specific costume project sometimes carries over to my collection and definitely adds to the design process.  I’ll run into inspiration that I may not have ever come across if it wasn’t for the certain project.  As far as favorites, I have a couple.  But if I had to pick the most fun, I think it would be for the British Columbia Milk Ad campaign.  Those were the teeny tiniest costumes I’ve ever built.  It reminded me of when I was kid, trying to make costumes for my dolls- fun!

Darlings: How do you market yourself and your label?
Anjia: It’s a clothing line made of, and with, love.  I try to carry that through, from conception to presentation.

Darlings: What is a day in the life of Anjia like?
Anjia: ummm. ..It varies from day to day

Bearded Lady, $190

Darlings: Is there anything that drives you crazy about the fashion industry?
Anjia: Nothing that’s been enough to keep me away. =)

Darlings: Who are your fashion icons? Do you think they influence your personal style?
Anjia: My personal style is very mix and match.  I can’t really peg it on any one icon.  I’m a big fan of the functionality in the clothing of tribal cultures mixed with the feminine lifestyles of past eras and the silhouettes of sassy vintage science fiction pin-ups.

Dragoness Tunic, $150

Darlings: Do you have any events that you are getting ready for in the near future?
Anjia: I’m brewing up a couple of events for the summer.  I’ll be posting updates soon at www.loveanjia.tumblr.com!

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