She-bible is pair of bffs who create clothes in their hometown, San Francisco. the clothes include tops and dresses and coats and are all comfortable, cute and a little different. read on for my interview with one of the designers behind She-bible, Deirdre, and if you are in San Francisco, visit their shop!
How did you get started creating your clothing line?
In 2001 we started silkscreening t-shirts. We were using American Apparel t-shirts. Many people didn’t know who they were back then and thought they were our own shirts. When they started saturating the graphic tee market at the prompting of our boutiques we took the leap and made our own tee. We then made a dress and just started slowly adding products. We don’t have fashion degree backgrounds. We are the slow and steady types.
What three words would you use to describe your upcoming collection?
fall 2010 – seventies, future, ski lodge
What do you think makes your designs different?
We try to make classic items with little twists, an unexpected pocket or a pleat here. We also try to use organic products where ever possible and make our goods in small batches in San Francisco. We keep a close eye and hand on our items.
What do you see in the future for your collection?
We just opened a boutique in San Francisco and are really loving this aspect of the business. Our next big hurdle is to get our shop curator (curatorsf.com) online. We have lots of gifty things and accessories that are specially made for our shop. We’d love to open that up to our web customers. Think Tom Selleck portraits, handmade salted carmels, knit dogs, the most amazing jewels!! There are some mini-projects in the works but sometimes its hard enough to design, produce and run the store the two of us.
Why should people buy clothes from an independent designer over a mass-market store?
It’s a personal choice. I know first hand it can get expensive to always shop with independents. I’m not here to condemn people for going to H&M or the like. I think the best closets have a mix of high and low. For me in particular I’m super busy, and I don’t like things that wear out right away. I lean on my clothes and I don’t have time in the morning to fuss with what I’m going to wear. I do favor investments pieces – the $60 t-shirt I may wear for 3 years, or the $200 fleece coat that will see me through several seasons. Of course I think independents add a flavor and design choice that someone in a boardroom may not approve, so it’s likely you will get more fresh ideas out of smaller companies. It’s important to us that through the sampling and production of our collection we are adding jobs to the local economy and supporting other small businesses.
