Featured Indie Designer – DaddysGirl

Go check out the rockin’ gear by Liane of DaddysGirl Streetwear! (But first read her interview…)

Your Name: Liane Marguerite
Age: 37
Hometown: Calgary, Alberta, Canada
Current Location: Strathmore, Alberta, Canada (just outside Calgary)

How did your interest in fashion begin?
Before I was born my mom was a professional dressmaker. When I came along she thrust her love of fashion on me. I never ever played with baby dolls, it was Barbies all the way, and I handmade Barbie clothes right from the get go. My grandmother had a fit when she saw me with a needle and thread at three, and my mom said “relax, she knows what she’s doing.”
What motivated you to start selling your designs and what were your expectations when you started?

All my life I had been making my own clothes and reconstructing vintage clothing. Then about three years ago, my father, who was my absolute favorite person in the world, got sick and passed away from cancer. It made me rethink what I was doing with the time I had, and I decided to spend more of it doing the things I loved. Hence the name Daddy’s Girl Streetwear. I started putting some of my designs and vintage finds up on Ebay with only the hopes that it might be a hobby that paid for itself. As time went on it grew into a part time job. Now I am trying to expand it into a full time job.
Do you have any formal training in fashion, art or design?

I don’t have any training other than home ec in junior high and art classes in high school. Of course my mom taught me everything she knew, and years of trial and error on my own clothes taught me plenty!
Is DaddysGirl/Glam Grenade your primary job?
At this time it is my secondary job. I am in the process of expanding it into my full time job. Currently my full time job is as an assistant to my husband in his building maintenance company.
How many people are behind the scenes at DaddysGirl/Glam
Grenade?
At last count, 24 or so, but we just had some serious layoffs… No, seriously, it’s just me at this time. I am slowly training my husband to do some of the grunt work so expansion can be easier.
What are some of the best and worst aspects of being an independent designer?
The best aspect for me is that I love being creative. I dry up in a non creative or structure driven job, so this keeps me stimulated. Plus all the reward is my own, and the hard work that I put into it is for my own personal benefit, not some big company.
The worst part is you have a really hard time getting your designs out there. You have to work your butt off. I work far more hours for my part time wage off Daddy’s Girl and Glam Grenade than I do for my full time wage working for my husband. The pay SHOULD be reversed!
Where do you get inspiration for your designs?
Many places. I love street fashion, and enjoy just sitting on a patio on a busy street on a nice day sipping a drink and watching the people go by. I also get inspiration from dreams. I have had a couple of dreams where I make something particularly complicated I have been trying to figure out, and then I wake up, try it out, and miraculously, it works!
How would you describe your designs?
My Daddy’s Girl line is arty punk rock club wear. It is designed with the late teen, early to mid 20-something in mind. She might be in a band, or just loves to wear fun, colorful one of a kind clothes to show off her flamboyant mentality. It is everything I would have loved to wear at that age. I am also working on another line to come out sometime this year that is geared towards a slightly older, less rockstar group that still wants to be super stylish and unique. Look for it in the fall.
Any advice for aspiring designers?
Be certain that this is what you want to do. You have to have a passion for this, you have to HAVE to do it, or it will beat you down. It takes A LOT of work, time and discipline to build up a line, a clientèle, and a future in this business. You also have to have a tough skin and be able to take criticism without being hurt by it. People WILL tell you when they hate it, and no matter how awesome your designs are, someone WILL hate them. You have to only be certain that YOU love them, and push forward. I would also say that to try things out on yourself first. I will give you a good idea of what works and why. Plus when people say “I love your top, where did you get it?” You can smile and pass them a business card.
Do you have any interesting hobbies?
I am a singer/songwriter in my spare time ( read: hardly ever), and I am currently working on a live set of cover songs featuring me playing an old school organ and a vintage moog keyboard with my husband doing random percussion and backing vocals. Weirdness.

You can find more about Liane’s designs at her website:
www.glamgrenade.com

and her shop:
www.grenade.etsy.com

More Liane!
Myspace
Facebook
Diyscene.com


One thought on “Featured Indie Designer – DaddysGirl

  1. Very cool designs. Liane has inspired me. The timing of this article is not lost on me. I have just set up a new blog called Stylopath http://www.alphaville/stylopath.com.au
    I am 37 years old and have recently resigned after 12 years as a retail buyer to focus on lifestyle design. I have a closet full of wonderful fabrics, a Janome sewing machine and a recently acquired reconditioned Singer overlocker. So now to create. By the way I love Moog!

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