Luicia Apparel

Meet Sarah Wallace of Lucia Apparel, our featured designer for September What inspired you to start designing? I have always been full of ideas and once I realized that I could actually create all of these ideas, I had to go further. I feel like every day I learn something new or have a new realization about what I'm doing. It's a wonderful feeling. How did you get into clothing design? I have always loved clothes since I was little, and then when I was in high school I started looking at colleges and just thought there isn't anything else I could picture myself doing, so I signed up for the Art Institute's fashion program and the rest is history!

What's your background and have you always been creative? Are there other artistic endeavors you're involved in? I grew up in a very small town, so the fashion scene there wasn't exactly thriving. I actually didn't start to build experience in the field until I left for college. Since then I have worked under other smaller designers and worked some retail, all of which has benefited me greatly now that I am running the store and the line. I never used to consider myself a creative person, but it retrospect I was. I was always coming up with new ideas in lots of different areas. As far as other artistic endeavors, I definitely have a lot of interest, but for now I have all I can handle.

You line shows a clear love for feminine, colorful designs. What other things inspire your designs? I am often inspired by nature and scenery. I love the outdoors and sometimes the colors that occur naturally are more beautiful than anything created by man. I also find myself very inspired by small details I see in other clothing. Sometimes, I will be walking around the city and see a sleeve that just captures me and I think of what I could create with that method. For the most part, I am a very practical designer. I like to make sure that people are going to feel appropriate for their surroundings, for example the weather in that area, etc.

What other types of mediums have you worked in? More than anything else I love photography. It has always been a hobby of mine and always will be. I also love to paint, watercolor is my favorite.

Do you hand make your pieces? Explain: Yes and no. I design the line itself, make the patterns and then sew the samples. So I do hand make most of the process. From that stage on I hand it off to my production sewer and she creates multiples. If only I could, not enough time in the day!

What was the most difficult thind about starting you own line? For me, sales. Sales is something that I was fine with at ever other job I have had. Then when I started putting something so personal in front of people and asking them to judge it, I found that it was an intense struggle for me. Also, perserverance. There were so many days that I wanted to throw in the towel and work for someone else, but I pulled through and am so glad now!

How long did you design out of your home or studio before you were able to open up your own shop? It took me about two years of selling wholesale to small boutiques to get the line ready to be out on its own. I started with making a base of patterns for consistent fit and then had to learn about production and sourcing and all of that. It was not always easy, and I am not a very patient person, so two years was a long time for me.

Any advice for a designer thinking about going in that direction? Learn from anything and everything that you can, there is never a point where you know enough, it is a constant evolution. Also, make sure its what you really want, it can be stressful and you work yourself to the bone, but it is very rewarding.

Can you tell us a little about your shop? The main focus of the store is to support its signature line, Lucia Apparel. We also carry another local clothing designer, that line is called Clair and can be seen at www.alysonclair.com. We also carry a variety of jewelry and other accessories made by local designers. The store is very much a showcase of locally made goods. However, we keep our prices competitive with stores who are outsourcing overseas.

Whose work do you admire? The first thing that comes to mind is definitely Carolina Herrera. Her work is absolutely incredible, there is so much elegance and detail. I also have a lot of respect for LuLuLemon and Anthropologie as companies.

What advice would you offer new designers entering the market? Stay humble, you are always going to have questions that you don't know the answers to and you may look stupid at times, but you have to be able to look to others for help. Do whatever you can to keep the creative spark alive and don't let the stress oerwhelm you. Also, plan ahead!!

What is your vision for your business and where would you like to be in five years? I want to take this business far, once the Portland store has been on its feet for awhile, we will start looking into opening stores in other cities. I would also like to branch out design-wise and have different sub-labels available under the Lucia label. The first we are doing is Lucia Loungewear, which is obviously a line of sleepwear that will be available at our location as well as wholesale to other boutiques. In five years, I would like to have at least five stores open and have other designers working for the brand.

Any other area of fashion you'd like to delve into? I love a challenge, so I always find myself delving into things that are very difficult for me. Menswear is something that I know very little about and so I can see that being a definite possiblity in the future.

What current trend would you like to see go away? Skinny jeans!! I think that one is already on the way out anyway, but I have a more pear-shaped figure and that look is not flattering for me or most shapes.

If you could have on items, new or vintage, what would it be? An endless fabric supply!

What was your favorite fashion item growing up? Dresses, I was a tomboy that liked to climb trees in my dresses. I was always getting dirty, but I loved to look girly.

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
Red Delicious - March 2008
Marlo M Jewelry - April 2008
Ugly Baby - May 2008
Like a Rock Star - June 2008
Da-a tis - July 2008
Birna Jewelry - August 2008