Meet Emma Roscoe of Red Delicious, our featured designer for March What's your background and have you always been creative?  Are there other artistic endeavors you're involved in? I come from a very creative family and studied art through high school. In my former career in journalism I was not only creative with words but loved doing page layouts and designing magazines and brochures. A few years ago I returned to art and now enjoy exploring painting and drawing.

Your line shows a clear love for fabrics. What other things give inspire you?
I love color and pattern and only work with fabrics and I love – which is an awful lot of fabrics! I’m inspired by anything that has bold use of color, strong clean lines, and attractive patterns. That includes 20th century art, buildings, the gorgeous landscape of Seattle and the Pacific Northwest, beautiful gardens, skies, arrays of produce at the farmers’ markets, and of course many of my fellow artists.

How did you get into making handbags? What other types of mediums have you
worked in?
After designing and making my first bag I was absolutely hooked. I had been looking for a creative-based business idea and I realized I had found it. I spent several months honing my sewing skills and designs before daring to try to sell some bags, but once I made those first sales there was no turning back. Since then it has been handbags all the way.

Do you work out of your home or do you have a studio? What type of equipment do you use for the process?
I have a part of my apartment set up as a studio. Fortunately my work space can be small, though I need a lot of storage for fabric and other supplies. I use a regular domestic sewing machine which is made to go through several layers of fabric and is fast. My other equipment is a large cutting table and an iron and ironing board. I also have various gadgets which help the production process, but the relative simplicity of what I need to do my work helped me get the business off the ground.

What has been the most difficult thing so far about starting your own line?
Maintaining confidence during the start-up phase and pushing through the leaner times. There were certainly days when I wished for a simple salaried job. Having a support network of friends in the same field who I could talk things through with has been crucial.
 
Whose work do you admire?
I have a long list of other Seattle artists who I admire – fused glass artist Michelle Fokos, recycled materials artist Kim Groff-Harrington, natural candles maker Julianna Batho, silversmiths Kristina and Ron Sabando, artists Lisa Pettit and Elsa Bluethner, and many others. Their work is outstanding and they have each built successful businesses on their creative work.

Where do you find your inspiration?
My basic inspiration is to make the best life I can for myself, and embracing my own creativity is an essential part of that.

What advice would you offer new designers entering the market?
Be original and true to yourself. If you honor this your chances of success are much greater because you are creating from your heart and passion, and that will show in your work.

What is your vision for your business and where would you like to be in five years?
I envisage my business will always remain one offering items which are locally hand crafted and I have plans to expand the customization aspect of the business. In five years I expect to be at the helm of a larger business which is still as much about art as commerce.

Any other area of fashion you'd like to delve into?
I wish I could make shoes too! I have started to make clothes for my own use but I expect to stick with bags and accessories in my business.

What current trend would you like to see go away?
That buying knock-off bags is OK. It undermines all creative businesses and makes it harder for us to communicate the value of our work.

If you could have one item, new or vintage, what would it be?
Right now I would love to have a Diane von Furstenburg wrap dress.

What was your favorite fashion item growing up?
When I was about five my mum made me a trouser suit in dark green with bell-bottom trouser legs (this was the ‘70s!) and a waistcoat, both trimmed with colorful rick-rack. I loved that outfit. In my teens it was my black velvet blazer worn with a ruffled cream blouse, skinny jeans and ankle boots – very New Romantic.

You can find Red Delicious at Pike Place Market and online!

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
Effie's Heart - January 2008
Organik - February 2008