Melissa Baswell
Style Studio – Designer Interview Melissa Baswell
In 2010, we will be getting down to business….And that’s the business of designers. Our next chat session is with Chicago Designer, Melissa Baswell who dishes on her inspirations, the world as an eco-focused designer and what she is doing for Spring…
Ava Cami paired with Chloe Pants - Spring 2010
Who are you as a designer?
Well first and foremost I’m a woman who appreciates chic, timeless style. Since I was a child, I’ve been drawn to classic fashion icons like Audrey Hepburn. She wore clothing with simple lines, but she always stood out because she had an eye for what worked for her body and the female form in general. I think that as a designer, my particular design aesthetic is a result of this admiration for simple but striking beauty in fashion. I find myself creating garments with clean, graceful lines that complement the body. I want the woman who wears my designs to feel effortless and elegant. Sustainable design is also very important to me. From my start as a designer, I have only used eco-friendly fabrics and materials, and have always produced locally in sweatshop-free environments.
Morgan Dress - Spring 2010
What is your inspiration for your current/upcoming line?I named my Spring 2010 collection “Etendue Sauvage dans la Grande Ville” which translates to “Wilderness in the City” or “Urban Wilderness.” My line in general has always drawn inspiration from the concept of discovering nature in urban environments, and I really wanted to touch on that for this collection. The designs are elegant and slightly romantic, but with an edge. Fields of wildflowers and ocean waves are represented through draping , ruffled detailing and floral prints, and are contrasted with symbols of urban landscapes, represented through tiered detailing and sharp lines.
Who is your design muse?
Like I mentioned earlier, I’ve always been incredibly inspired by Audrey Hepburn. This goes beyond just the way she dressed and her role as a style icon. She was smart and graceful, had a very care-free, undemanding demeanor, and managed to make simple feel glamorous in everything from the way she spoke to the way she moved. These are the kind of qualities I want to convey through my designs.
How can customers find your line?
Online at www.mountainsofthemoon.com, and at select boutiques throughout the country, as well as in Canada, Australia, Sweden and Japan.
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Studio-808, Inc. is the brainchild of Erin Creaney, a PR executive with a near-athletic enthusiasm for emerging designers. Finding herself searching the city for great designers with new and different looks, she knew a larger operation was in order. What's more, she felt the world needed to know about the fashion percolating in the Windy City. Thus was born Studio-808.com.
