Kimberely Pledger of Effie's Heart, Our Featured Designer for January What kind of products do you create and where can people find them? The products at Effie’s Heart include women’s t-shirts, blouses, pants, kulottes, skirts, dresses, jackets, coats, tote bags, hats, gloves, and scarves. The overall style of the clothing at Effie’s Heart can best described as vintage European cinema. You can find them in boutiques in about 30 states and in Canada. There is a boutique listing on my web site: Effiesheart.com.

What inspired you to start designing?
The different people that I've run into in the bus stop of life have been my main inspiration. My father first. He painted in oils. He didn't do this for a living, but because he had to. His heart made him do it. As a child I remember him jamming out to 45's, drinking wine and painting until 3:00 A.M. I picked up this passion and work ethic for art from him. 

What's your background and have you always been creative?  Are there other artistic endeavors you're involved in?
I've always had a natural eye for composition and color arrangement. I have this sometimes nasty habit of rearranging and changing colors of subject matter that comes into my daily view finder. It goes beyond fashion - to interior design, cooking, and writing. I've always had this desire to make life prettier.

I have a degree in Fashion Design from the Fashion Institute of Design and Merchandizing in San Francisco. I have also worked at different theaters all over California in costuming. This was a wonderful experience. I learned about many  clothing periods. I also got the opportunity to make patterns - which made me an expert in fit, style lines, and creating flattering garments for many body shapes.

Nature seems to be a big inspiration for you. What other things give you ideas for your designs?
I am in love with the past. If you look at any photo from 40 years ago and earlier you'll rarely see anyone looking frumpy or dumpy. It didn't matter if they were cleaning house, going to the grocery store, or taking a Sunday drive - it just seems that people used to care so much more about fashion, style and beauty.  It just seems that life was a little more lovely back then. I have an appreciation for this old time style consciousness, but I also understand the need for comfort. This is what I try to bridge in my designs. Glamour of yesterday mixed with comfort and modernity. I try to make pieces you can wear to the office, but feel like your in your pajamas.

Do you do the screen printing for your tees and totes yourself?  If so, how did you get into that? 
I don't do my screen printing. I use a local San Jose screen print company. We are good friends. I did all the artwork for the screen prints for Spring/ Summer 07.

Whose work do you admire?
I admire many of the local designers here in the Bay Area. There is an endless supply of talented independent designers and artists in California. I enjoy working along side my colleagues at the many trade shows, trunk shows and fashion events that I am involved with.  Some of these designers include Paul Gallo of Gallifornia, Jill Dudensing, Hats by Chuey, and Jasmin Zorlu.

What advice would you offer new designers entering the market? 
The best advice that I could give would be to intern with an existing designer or manufacturer.  There are so many things they don't teach you in school. This intern education is priceless, and will get you where you need to go weather it's owning your own company or working for a major label. 

What is your vision for your business and where would you like to be in five years?
My vision is to have clothing in boutiques in every state and also overseas. I would also like to have a flag ship Effie's Heart store by then.

Any other area of fashion you'd like to delve into? 
My customers have requested men's wear. There is a huge new market for men's clothing. Men are becoming more daring and fashion conscious.

What current trend would you like to see go away? 
The pregnant looking gathered empire waist. 

If you could have one item, new or vintage, what would it be? 
A red Christian Dior dress from the 1950's with a hat to match.

What clothing item did you wear to shreds growing up? 
Levis jeans that I had hand painted.

Which designer has really inspired you? 
CoCo Chanel when she first started in 1920.

You can find Effie's Heart at the following locations.

Archive of Past Featured Designers:
Miyuki Ott - August 2007
Seed Clothing - September 2007
Moxie & Oliver - October 2007
MishMash - November 2007
Tarah Prater Designs - December 2007