independent jewelry and clothing designer: Norwegian Wood

i first found independent designer, Norwegian Wood, last year and loved the unique fringe necklaces, wood and leather jewelry, and the fun leggings.  and i learned from this interview with Angie, the designer behind Norwegian Wood, that there are a lot more exciting things to come!

How did you get started creating your jewelry and clothing line?

I’d worked in the mainstream fashion industry for the past 8 years, then got laid off at my most recent job as a head designer at a local denim company. From that point I decided perhaps it was time to take my destiny into my own hands, and Norwegian Wood was born.

What three words would you use to describe your current collection?

Spring 2010 – bright, geometric, modern

Fall 2010 – dusty, layered, archeological

What do you think makes your designs different?

I try to design items that help augment your existing wardrobe by modernizing things you already have. I’m also really interested in creating a collection that consists of seasonless core items that may repeat for more than one season, which are augmented by more season-specific items.

What do you see in the future for your collection?

I’m currently working on a new jewelry collection for fall 2010 that incorporates vintage metal components and reclaimed leather combined with agate, coral or coconut. I’m also collaborating with a local jewelry designer on a collection of gold and silver rings. In terms of clothing, I’m working on bulking up the range of offerings, by adding skirts, dresses, blouses and some pants to the collection. In short, a lot!

Why should people buy clothes from an independent designer over a mass-market store?

I think it’s really hard for people to buy their entire wardrobe from independent designers (due to cost, availability, etc.), so people shouldn’t think of it as an “all or nothing” thing. Instead, perhaps start to slowly add special pieces to your wardrobe, pieces you know you’ll love for years to come, not necessarily “practical” basics, although they could be if that’s your style. I think that if one takes this approach, then one day you will wake up and find you have an entire wardrobe of beautiful well-made clothing, instead of cycling through “must have” pieces every year. In the end, it’s the smart way to build a stylish wardrobe.  Think of it as creating a lifetime collection!