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A Sunny Afternoon

Posted on by TheAmericanEdit

It’s always exciting to watch someone you admire follow his/her dreams – even if you don’t know that person in real life! I’ve followed Sarah Sherman Samuel’s blog (have you seen her amazing cabin renovations?!) for a long time and was thrilled when she launched her product line, A Sunny Afternoon. The patterned textiles are gorgeous and add the perfect pop of color to any table, and the wood pieces that she makes with her dad in northern Michigan (one of my favorite spots!) are gorgeous and unique… I’m currently using my serving board as a display piece – always love a good multi-purpose item.

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WHAT INSPIRES YOU?

I am inspired by so many things it is hard to summarize but here’s a list of a few things that currently give my creativity a healthy boost: being outdoors, photography, storied objects, unexpected color relationships, creative collaborations, fashion, beautiful light, traveling, pattern play, and the beauty in natural imperfections.

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WHAT IS YOUR BACKGROUND?

My background and formal education is in Graphic Design. My professional career started as a designer at an Ad Agency but I quickly realized that was not right for me, so I pursued more creative opportunities before eventually landing at a company that was looking to manufacture their own line of fashion paper products. It was a new start-up company and at the beginning it was just me and the two owners working to build the line. It was there that I found my niche in designing products and patterns and then marrying the two. Through the 5 years I was there I served as creative director and helped build it up to a successful company that still has a large presence in Target and other retailers. I eventually reached a point when the line was established, that I knew I was ready to break away and start working on my own dream.

I love applying the graphic design principles into the roles of maker, stylist, and creative director and A Sunny Afternoon has become a wonderful outlet for each one of those. From developing each product, styling and art directing photoshoots, as well as designing the brand identity and website, every aspect has my personal stamp on it.

WHAT MAKES YOUR DAY?

I absolutely love it when one of my pieces brings a little joy into someone else’s life. Every item I make has a lot of thought and love built into it so when someone else gets that, it’s like a big high five. 🙂

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WHERE DO YOU MAKE A SUNNY AFTERNOON? 

I split my time between my Los Angeles studio and my father’s workshop in Michigan.

WHERE DO YOU ESCAPE?

We have a small cabin in Michigan that is the perfect escape. Whenever I have a creative slump or life just gets too busy, a trip there always sets things back in order.

WHY DO YOU MAKE YOUR COLLECTION? 

A Sunny Afternoon was born out of my desire to create beautiful things. I wanted to build a line that marries my style with my love of the outdoors, gathering for a meal, and the handmade. The idea of making picnic-ware and home goods that are useful, beautiful, and long lasting is what has driven me further to create the first collection.

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A Sunny Afternoon is nominated for a Martha Stewart American Made Award! Make sure to vote!

A Sunny Afternoon is a TAE A-LIST brand.

Images by Jessie Webster for A Sunny Afternoon.

Shop Mille

Posted on by TheAmericanEdit

I don’t know how to describe Mille (formerly Pretty Mommy) other than to say it is my happy place. Michelle has created a little version of (retail) utopia in South Minneapolis for those of us who dream of items that are lovingly and meaningfully made. I used to think that I had to travel or shop online to find the newest brands, now I know that I just have to wait for Michelle’s Shop Mille newsletter sharing what’s new in the shop. (But don’t worry – Michelle actually opened her B&M location after being an online shop, so everything she has is available online!)

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Le Feu de L’eau candles/ Shannon South clutch

You feel at home instantly, with the gorgeous vintage rugs underfoot, my favorite Le Feu de L’eau candles (gris!) burning throughout, and the supply of coffee and treats Michelle has available for her steady stream of visitors or friends… you certainly don’t feel like a customer when you are there.

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Electric Love NYC dreamcatcher/Clare Vivier Duffle

Even more amazing than the products Michelle stocks is the company she keeps – through visits to the shop, I’ve been introduced to amazing, inspiring women – designers, artists, and makers who are so kind, creative, and supportive it is mind-boggling.

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 Ilana Kohn/My Line/LNA

Really, the only bad thing about Mille is that now I have to come up with other excuses to travel… because I can get all of my favorites right here in Minneapolis. Make sure to check it out… and let me know your favorites!

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Kelly Lamb Bowl / Le Feu de L’eau candles / Dream Collective Jewelry

[photos by the amazing Wing Ta]

fashion week.

Posted on by TheAmericanEdit

“Clover Canyon is made in California, and always will be.”

Fashion week.

The (sartorial) world lives and breathes fashion week. It comes in like an avalanche a few times a year, causing never-ending FOMO and an acute case of seasonal confusion.

But we love it. Fashion Week (#MBFW #NYFW, if you will) has become as much of a spectacle as the clothes themselves – and it’s amazing. I’m always amazed that the shows go on with minimal interruption, each and every year.

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“Part of THE ROW’s mission is to support high-end fashion manufacturing in the US.”

I have ample experience creating product lines, but the majority have been with huge scale and resources behind my team. Creating a highly innovative line without that? It’s incredibly difficult… as any casual Project Runway viewer can attest.

Sampling and producing clothing is a complex process, it takes not only a huge amount of work and skill, but it also takes infrastructure – people trained in the techniques needed to create the garments and machines readily available to produce the product.

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“Nanette Lepore is an advocate for Save the Garment Center and Made in NYC. Making it in America ensures that the fashion industry will continue to thrive in this country for years to come”

This infrastructure used to exist… and likely led to our favorite American designers (Oscar! Diane! Marc!) becoming who they are now… At one point, 95% of clothes sold in America were made here, and these designers and makers made New York City and the Garment District into the pinnacle of the fashion world that we know today.

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“Core to HONOR’s mission is a dedication to bringing industry back to Manhattan’s historic garment district, respect for the art of garment making, and fair treatment of the skilled artisans who create them. HONOR garments are developed and produced exclusively in New York City.”

However, today, less than 3% of the apparel that is sold in the United States is made here. At what point does this infrastructure cease to exist?

When that happens, what will happen to our beloved fashion week? What will happen to American fashion and innovation in general? Supporting American-made labels has economic benefit, yes, but more importantly, when you support these labels, you are investing in the future of fashion. You are setting the stage for the next Diane/Marc/Oscar to take his or her rightful place. Who wouldn’t want to be a part of that?

Featured – some of my favorite shows from designers who make it a point to produce domestically.

for more – see Made in Midtown & Save the Garment Center. Images via WWD.

Rebecca Atwood

Posted on by TheAmericanEdit

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Rebecca Atwood launched her first line of gorgeous hand dyed and painted pillows and vintage-framed artwork last April… conveniently, right as we were moving into a new place. I was lucky to snag my favorite pillows and was amazed by the quality when they arrived (I used to source throw pillows and in general am pretty snobby about textiles!). The work evident in these items is phenomenal; Rebecca is a true artist and has created an amazing line. I’m not the only person who thinks so – her line blew up the blogosphere and is now available at retailers including Steven Alan, Garde Shop, and Furbish studio. Her second collection launched yesterday. She was kind to chat with me a few weeks ago… for more inspiration, check out her blog, The Fold!

WHAT DRIVES YOU?

I’m not team sports oriented, I’m very competitive with myself. My parents instilled that in us – you have to work hard, so you better love what you are doing.

Family and friends. My dad is a big influence, he always told me to do what you are passionate about. When I decided to major in painting (as opposed to something that seemed more commercially viable, like textile design) my dad was so excited and said – why would you do anything else?

WHAT GETS YOU THROUGH THE DAY/THROUGH THE WEEK?

My husband. He works long hours so I look forward to seeing him when he gets home.

My morning cup of coffee.

Building in creative time each week – time for making doesn’t always happen but it’s important to focus on it – it’s a good reminder as to why I’m doing what I’m doing.

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WHAT ARE YOUR STYLE ESSENTIALS?

I’m not the stylish sister! [note – Becca’s referring to her older sister, blogger Grace Atwood – I think there can be more than one stylish sister in a family!]  I love my basics and I like to keep things pretty simple. I’m a jeans girl. I love Emerson Fry, my Clare Vivier pouch. I do love interesting shoes. I’m not a big jewelry person – I love my delicate everyday pieces.

WHERE ARE YOU INSPIRED?

Walking around my neighborhood in Brooklyn. In the Cape where I grew up – I’m not working when I’m there so I can soak things in. A lot of the line was inspired by the Cape in the off season. Travel – particularly India. I could spend all day in the markets in India.

WHY ARE REBECCA ATWOOD DESIGNS MADE IN AMERICA?

I wanted to bring back a closeness to the production process, which definitely meant making it here. It is really important to be a part of HOW the product is being made. I’m not opposed to making a product somewhere else, but there is something about being able to go somewhere daily and see the work being done.

I always want some items to be made in house – they let me push things forward and allow for newness and surprises to happen in the process. Being involved and knowing how something is made is so important. Not all designers know how their product is made.

It’s about bringing attention to the production process. I get to choose. I never got to choose before.

WHO INSPIRES YOU?

So many people! I’m a huge fan of ceramics – Lindsay Emery of Suite One Studio in North Carolina makes my favorite dishes, Josephine Heilpern of Recreation Center in Brooklyn is doing inspiring work with glaze and patterns. I really admire the work ethic and vision of Maura Ambrose of Folk Fibers

I’m so excited about what other people are doing and the movement that is happening.

I never thought I’d have my own business. As I worked in more jobs, I realized that it was what I needed to do to be happy. 

rebecca-atwood-collection-4Thank you, Rebecca, for taking part in my first brand interview on TAE! So excited to see where you take your brand next!

ALSO! Rebecca has been nominated for a Martha Stewart American Made award! Please be sure to vote for her – up to 6 times a day!

[images by Emily Johnston Anderson, courtesy of Rebecca Atwood]

Rebecca Atwood is a TAE A-list brand.