Amy Blea of Seed Clothing, The Featured Designer for September

What inspired you to start designing?
I couldn’t find anything I really wanted at the stores…necessity, the mother of invention.

What's your background and have you always been creative?  Are there other artistic endeavors you're involved in?
I have a business degree with a specialization in marketing.  I was always creative, but my mother told me to be practical.  They (my parents) thought creative pursuits were for hobbies not careers…so it took me awhile to find my path.  Eventually, I found my way to NYC and studied fashion design at FIT.    I have always loved to write, short stories, poems, I even worked at a local arts & entertainment newspaper for awhile.  I wrote mostly opinion pieces.  But fashion keeps me satisfied right now…sketching, draping, sewing, photoshoots, linesheets.  It's so fulfilling and all-encompassing, body, mind and soul.

Your line shows a clear love for feminine, vintage designs. What other things inspire you?
Fabric, color, my customer, function, architecture, photography, art, nature, a sunny day, a walk in the park, life…so many things!

Where did you get the idea to turn scarves into blouses?  What other fabrics and patterns are favorites of yours?
It was organic.  I had these beautiful scarves – colorful, silk, rich and drapey and I let them tell me the shape they wanted to become.

What has been the most difficult thing so far about starting your own line?  
You have to, not only, be creative about the designs, but also, about the business side.  You have to be thinking all the time, “How can I make money? How can I compete?  Can I run my business differently than them?  How do I grow?”

Whose work do you admire?
Vivienne Westwood, Isabel and Ruben Toledo, Rei Kawakubo, Alexander McQueen,  Martin Margiela, Yoji Yamamoto…those are some of my favorite designers.

What advice would you offer new designers entering the market?
Learn to market yourself…you are going to be your best representative in the beginning.  Learn graphic design, photoshop, illustrator…know how to sell yourself on the phone and through email and learn to create lists of clients, press people, customers etc.

What is your vision for your business and where would you like to be in five years?
I want to be a fully sustainable cottage industry.  I'd like to have a few machines and sewers in my own studio where we can fulfill small limited edition orders within a few weeks using materials on-hand and also create custom sizings for customers worldwide.  It would be a dream to have a supportive team on staff in a safe and employee friendly environment! – an assistant, a patternmaker, a cutter, creating healthy, fashionable clothing that sells.

Any other area of fashion you'd like to delve into?
Shoes

What current trend would you like to see go away?
Low rise jeans, bottoms…I am so tired of all those bellies hanging out.

If you could have one item, new or vintage, what would it be?
A pair of Prada shoes.

What clothing item did you wear to shreds growing up?
The only thing that qualifies is a black, lycra, shiny, stretchy, fitted long sleeved top with a scoop neck that I have been wearing since 1994.  It has gone to goth clubs and to work through the years…it is literally in shreds now (the elastic threads are popping and fraying) and I am finally giving it up.

Which designer has really inspired you?
Daryl K, she started out in her apartment too.  So, I can’t give up hope.

You can find Seed Clothing 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