Feature: Garnish Apparel

As wholesale manager, I have the opportunity to meet some really fun fashion designers. I grow a business and personal relationship with many and love to support their efforts! One of my (MANY) favorites is Erica Lurie, owner of Garnish Apparel. 

Erica has so graciously accepted the invitation to be featured on our blog. She just finished a new collection, entitled, "White Label Collection." This collection is quite different from her regular line of garments, but still oh so tempting! The best thing about her designs is that everything is Handmade in the USA! Along with a team of talented sewers, they sew the entire line in Portland, OR. The images scattered through this post are part of the White Label Collection. Enjoy and don't forget...support local and support indie design!



From the "White Label Collection" - Spring 2013

What is behind your business name?  

Garnish means to adorn or decorate.  One of the most immediate ways of expressing our personalities is by our choices in how we adorn ourselves.  So our dress has a powerful ability to shape our opinions about ourselves as well as other people's opinions about us.  I like for my customers to feel that when they "Garnish" themselves they put forth an image that makes them feel good about who they are. 

 

What is a typical work day like?  

There is no typical work day at Garnish!  That is what I love about it (and can at times be frustrating!).  When I arrive at work I can have an agenda and at the end of the day, what I accomplished often looks nothing like what I set out to do.   But that keeps things interesting as I hate repetition.  

What made you want to be a designer? 

I love working with my hands and creating things three-dimensionally.  And I LOVE fabric!  I find the challenge of fitting fabric to the body in just the way I want to be exhilarating. 

Did you go to school for fashion? Where?  

I was a Sculpture major and clothing and textiles minor at Montana State University in Bozeman.  Most of my sculptures were clothing in some medium... often metal. 

What do you use for inspiration? 

I find most of my inspiration from my fabrics.  I buy fabrics that I love and that work together and then from there decide if the fabric is most appropriate for a dress, a top, a bottom, etc.  I think I must find inspiration sub-consciously from nature as I love the outdoors and use it to rejuvenate me.

Who is your favorite designer?  

Oh, that's tough.  I'm going to go with Carolina Herrera.

Before you established your own line, did you work in the fashion field? Where? 

Yes, I worked at Adidas.  My boss gave me a 3 month leave of absence to work on my line... pretty amazing!

What is the best thing about being a designer? The hardest thing?

I love being able to come to work and be creative!  I also love working for myself but that can also be the hardest thing... ultimately it all falls on your shoulders. 

Nadira Dress - Designs from Past Seasons - Fabric is from Fabric Mart (No longer available)

Do you have any signature pieces you make every season?  

We have made our Amanda Dresses for many seasons and it's a great all around dress.  But we are feeling like we need to take a little break from it and re-introduce it down the road a bit.

What is your favorite fabric type? 

I can't answer that, I'd be excluding too many wonderful fabrics!  But I do love printed silks- they suck me in every time!

What colors do you gravitate to? 

I try to really vary my palette because different colors work on different people and all colors are so beautiful.  Right now I'm pining for the deep, deep indigo that is popular, especially in Europe.



From the "White Label Collection" - Spring 2013

Where do you go when you need to get away from it all? 

Into the woods...

What is your favorite food?  

All of them.  OK, if I must choose one I'd say lobster (sorry little guys).

Any advice for aspiring designers?  

Be ready to work your butt off if you want to get anywhere in this industry.  But it is so worth it.

What is one fashion trend you love? Hate? 

I'm loving the bold colors this season.  There are usually some trends that I hate, but this season I like most of them. 

From the "White Label Collection" - Spring 2013

How would you describe the type of woman that buys your clothes? 

Independent, confident (but not always when it comes to dressing themselves), often creative in some sense, knows what she wants from her life and goes out and gets it!


Are you are designer looking for larger quantities? The wholesale division of Fabric Mart may be the answer! Contact julie@fabricmartfabrics.com if you are interested in learning more.

Become a Fabric Mart Fabricista! 
Are you a designer or just love to sew for yourself?  If you've used a Fabric Mart fabric, we would love to feature you on our blog! Its a great way to show other customers what they can do with a fabric. For more information, contact fabricmartblog@gmail.com. 

~Julie