Featured Indie Designer – Label.of.Hope

I know, shame on me for not updating for so long! But I know you’ll forgive me, for I have brought you the first of our Designer Spotlights: Label.of.Hope!

Name: Hope E
Age: 27
Hometown: Upland, CA
Current Location: Alta Loma, CA (lol, it’s only like 2 miles away)

How did your interest in fashion begin?I can never find what I want in stores! I remember even when I was a little tot I never liked the clothes I had to wear. After a while one just gets fed up & starts DIY-ing.

What motivated you to start selling your designs and what were your expectations when you started? I had no real intention to do much of anything. I was working a full time day job at a doctors office & selling my boyfriends “goods” on eBay at night. The first few diy items I sold were ones I’d made for myself over the years. I added some new trim & put them on eBay. When they sold I was like, wow, someone just bought something I made!It becomes addicting after that.

Do you have any formal training in fashion, art or design? None. I’m still debating whether that is a good thing or not, though.

Is Label of Hope your primary job? Yes, for now. I do take part-time jobs when times are tough.

How many people are behind the scenes at Label of Hope? Me & whoever can take pictures of me, lol. Seriously, without the support of my friends and family I’d never be able to do this so I’d really have to count everybody in.

What are some of the best and worst aspects of being an independent designer? The best would have to be not worrying about any deadlines. There is no real stress when you don’t have to worry about the “mainstream” demand. I don’t do high end fashion shows, expensive photo shoots, seasonal lines, or deal with temperamental people.

I’m not sure I could say there is a “worst” for me. I feel fortunate. Designers have to take out huge loans just to launch their first line and, all the while know that it will be years to accomplish success, if at all.

Where do you get inspiration for your designs? Hehe. I am a people watcher. There’s nothing better than to sit with a cup of tea and watch people go by. I also get a lot of inspiration from the fabric itself. If I am stumped I’ll just stare at it until something comes to me.

How would you describe your designs? I try to do different things: mod, vintage, girly… but no matter what they look like one of mine. It’s funny, how you can see someone’s work & know it’s theirs. I don’t know how to describe it.

Any advice for aspiring designers? It depends on if they want to be the next Coco Chanel or if they just want to make clothes. Honestly, if you want it for money & fame be prepared to be very disappointed and very broke. Not one high name designer (that’s been around for longer than a season or two) has become an overnight success. But, for the girls who just love to sew & wouldn’t mind making a living out of it: be patient and don’t freak out if every week isn’t profitable. You have to find your own niche; don’t get caught up in all the hype & lose focus of what you love.

Do you have any interesting hobbies (outside of sewing/designing)? I’ve been building a couple websites for other people so my free time is scarce. Otherwise I goof with polymer clay a lot , and I love to build/paint resin kits.

One last question. In their prime, who had the better mustache: Burt Reynolds or Tom Selleck? Oh man, that’s a tough call. I’ll go with Tom, because Burt’s already a classic.

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