Anyone who knew me as a kid would probably recall that I was a big fan of rainbows. It was an 80’s thing, but still, it was something more for me. Fast forward to my adult life and I’ve found myself immersed in a career and day-to-day life surrounded by color, texture, and pattern. My favorite color is still Rainbow.
I spent many years as part of the Men’s Design Team at a most iconic lifestyle brand whose motto is #livetheislandlife. I never imagined my career as a Menswear Designer could be as luxurious, colorful, and fun as it was at Tommy Bahama.
On the opposite end of the spectrum from corporate fashion, I also spent several years working in the Ethical Handicraft & Fair Trade sectors: in Seattle with Refugee Artisan Initiative, where I developed & implemented sewing training and production programs for refugee & immigrant women; and in north India, where I worked as a designer and production manager for several mission-based, artisan-focused companies.
My earliest design work was with Beppa, one of the original art-to-wear, made in the USA, cottage industry design companies based in Seattle, WA. Having just graduated from University of Washington with a BFA in Fiber Arts, my work at Beppa was 100% hands-on, small scale production of high-end natural fiber textiles and clothing.
My grandmother, who was a seamstress at a high-end Boston department store back in the day when such jobs existed, was a huge source of my inspiration to pursue design. I learned to sew sitting by her side as she worked her prized vintage 1950 black and gold Singer sewing machine. She imparted in me her love for “fancy” fabrics and appreciation for well-made garments that has become part of who I am today.