DIYthing

Today is the 2nd part of our interview with indie designer, Angela Johnson. She has some really great tips for indie designers looking to make it in the fashion world.

I asked Angela about being a designer-entrepreneur (DE) and she spoke of the difficulty of running the business side of the business as well as the creative side.
Angela:…yes, it’s difficult. I have to be able to use the right and left hemispheres of my brain equally well. Usually, if you are a creative person, you lack the logical that it takes to run a business. And visa versa. But, indie designers need to be able to do both. We don’t have the money to be able to hire the business people to help us, so we have to handle all of the business stuff. This makes it difficult to also keep up on the creative responsibilities. You just end up working a lot more hours and handling things that you may not consider fun. But, it’s totally worth it to be able to be my own boss and design what I want to design and not answer to someone else.

DIYthing: I love using t-shirts to make reconstructed clothing. I find that t-shirts give you such a palette of colors to work with when designing an outfit. Where do you get your t-shirts, or is it a secret?
Angela: I agree. And, it’s never a secret. I believe in being honest about everything in life. I also believe in sharing my contacts and knowledge because I love to help others. I don’t look at it as competition. Instead, I think of it as camaraderie. Sooooo….I get all of my T-shirts from all of the various thrift stores like Goodwills and St. Vincent De Paul’s around Arizona. I love to thrift shop.

I asked Angela more about why she works with t-shirts.
Angela:I used to have a clothing line called monkeywench when I lived in LA, but I moved back home to AZ in 2000 and found that I couldn’t continue monkeywench because there were no fashion industry resources here like fabric vendors and contractors. So, I decided that a good solution to not being able to have access to wholesale fabrics was to use thrifted clothing as fabric instead.

Angela’s designs are carried at online boutiques such as UnSung Designers. This piece is made from thrifted men’s shirts.

DIYthing: You have your ANNUAL LINE, your REDESIGNED LINE and your CUSTOM DESIGNS. Do you have a favorite line that you like to work on?
Angela: Definitely my Redesigned line. Don’t get me wrong…I do love custom designs because it gives me a chance to make something that I wouldn’t normally make and that makes me use my creativity. And I like my annual line because I get to make the ideas that are itching to get out of me. But, the Redesigned line is the one I make every year…it has been a staple in my line since 2002. It’s easy for me to make because I’ve made hundreds of these pieces with my own hands…yet it still isn’t boring to me because each piece is made from different T-shirts so I get to decide where and how to place the logos and which ones to use, etc…

DIYthing: I hear that items from your current line will be seen on next season’s America’s Top Model. Tell us more about that connection.
Angela: A stylist from America’s Next Top Model found me on Stars and Infinite Darkness and requested a sample of my black bubble dress from my annual line. I’m not sure when it will be on, so I guess I’m going to have to watch the show religiously to find out.

DIYthing: How did you get interested in sewing?
Angela: Ironically, I never learned to sew as a child. I didn’t learn until I went to Fashion Design college at FIDM. At that point, I had to learn it fast because everyone else in school already knew how to sew. I found that it didn’t come easy to me at all. I totally struggled. I also sucked at it badly. But, after years, I’ve had enough practice and am now a good seamstress. I still don’t have the confidence in my work that I probably should because of my insecurity in my ability to sew from the years I spent trying to get better at it though.

DIYthing: What tips do you have for other designers trying to make it?
Angela: Make sure you actually go to school for this. It’s a lot more difficult and complex than just sewing. From pattern making, to grading (sizing) and marking and cutting, it’s a lot to learn. You have to be able to understand how to do all of that in order to be able to create and sustain a successful line. Also, be prepared to work a lot of hours and never give up. I’ve been at it for over 12 years now and it’s still a constant battle to keep my line going. And lastly, be willing to do every job in the company….don’t just be the designer. You can’t run a clothing company well until you have experienced what it is like to be the designer, cutter, contractor, sales rep, accountant, and janitor!

DIYthing: I see that you also offer services that would be helpful for budding designers, can you tell us more about that?
Angela: I offer a fashion business advice service for anyone thinking of starting a clothing line. I have accumulated all of the tax, business, design and production information that I have learned over the past 13 years and have made a packet that I sell on my website. This packet can be purchased by itself or the person can make an appointment with me for a consultation to learn about the industry and ask any questions that they have. I do this because I remember how hard it was to find the resources to start my own business at an affordable price and how long it took me to learn everything I needed to know on my own.

DIYthing: What do you do for fun?
Fashion IS fun! =) I chose this as my career because it was already my hobby and I loved it and would be doing it anyways…. that’s the key to a happy life/career…do what you love and if you can find a way to make money at doing what you love, you will be happy. Other things I do for fun: I’m a mom of two kids and a wife. I love my family and just being with them is the most fun to me. We are a fun family….my husband and I are in our 30’s, but we are still like kids. He’s got a mohawk and skateboards with my 8 year old son. They build half pipes in our yard and listen to punk together. And I make matching dresses with skulls and stuff on them for me and my 5 month old daughter. We love to do things with our kids and take them with us everywhere….from art galleries to concerts to parties. Another thing I love to do but haven’t had the time to do in a while is snowboard. I’ve been snowboarding since 1989 and its the only sport I enjoy, but I’ve been too busy lately. =( And lastly, I love to paint. I just don’t have a lot of time for it. I have a few of my paintings on my website.

DIYthing: Anything else that you would like to share with DIYthing readers?
Gosh, I don’t know….I guess just that if you readers are into doing it themselves….they should turn that into a career. Not everyone is creative or artistic and if you are, it’s a blessing….make something of it!

Visit her at her website: www.angelajohnsondesigns.com
and contact her at angela@angelajohnsondesigns.com

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