We’re picking the winners of our Siwy Denim giveaway this week. We hope you all had the chance to enter yourselves to win an awesome pair of cutoff shorts and jeans! We figured we’d nudge our friend Michelle to do a quickie interview with us. Luckily, she complied even with her hectic schedule, or we might have had to coax her with a dozen Butterlane cupcakes…
I understand you’re thrifty from way back, do you prefer vintage or new?
I like to mix vintage with new. It’s a delicate balance that needs to occur to avoid looking like you just jumped out of a time capsule.
What is the first brand of jeans you remember purchasing?
I remember saving up all of my birthday money and heading to Harvard Square where there was an Urban Outfitters outlet. I bought super wide leg Diesel jeans. I was 13.
Can you tell us a little about how you started designing Siwy? Were you experienced in designing denim?
At the time there were not too many denim lines that combined classic style, while complementing current trends and fit well all at once. I worked for a few designers and always found myself at various wash houses around the country. It was so fascinating to me that something as basic as indigo denim can yield such depth, beauty and range within minutes. It’s my passion and I’m always amazed at the personal relationship people have with their jeans.
Your jeans are described as both feminine and masculine, do you ever find it difficult to blend the two?
It’s a personal reflection of me I suppose. I appreciate the beauty and femininity of women but like the practicality and ease of masculine details. I don’t want to feel like I am wearing a costume or that all eyes are on me.
Which fashion era most inspires you in your daily life and designs?
I don’t have a specific time period as far as literal fashion style goes, but I do love the 70’s, where it’s apparent travel to other countries became easier. I like the mash up of ethnic influences that seem to bring the world together and open minds. It’s very chic to use cultural references in fashion.
You’ve talked about your design process starting with adding patches and other embellishments to vintage jeans, is that still your approach?
That was when I was younger and had a burning desire to create my own style with the limited materials I had. It was a starting point to view denim as more than just a pair of blue jeans, but something that had the ability to be more fashionable. If I add any embellishments to my current collection, it is always nodding to the idea that it’s a found piece of clothing. I want it to appear that the person picked up a pair of jeans at a thrift store or flea market that someone in the 70’s hand embroidered or added rainbow jewels to make something unique for themselves.
What is currently your favorite Siwy Denim fit and why?
I just spent a month in LA and it was all about the Madeleine shorts the whole time. The exposed pocket bags make me feel just a little more covered up and look like I ripped the legs off myself. I could get away with wearing them with just bare legs during the day and then slip on some tights at night, when it got cooler. Now that I am here in NYC, I choose to be in denial and still try to get away with wearing them in the cooler climates. They are very natural. They are just so easy and breezy.
I read an article somewhere that said people are attracted to one another through rhythm, what type of music inspires you?
I think some people would say I am dramatic with my emotions, but I think I’m just naturally extremely sensitive. My senses get overloaded more than others I think, so I listen to music that can help me express my deepest and darkest feelings and extreme feelings of happiness. That being said I love anything from Adele to EBTG to Jay-Z.
On your myspace page you list cupcakes as one of your interests, as a cupcake lover myself I must ask, “Which cup takes the cake?”
I love “Butterlane” in the East Village, and then of course in Los Angeles, “Sprinkles“.
For more information on Michelle Siwy and her designs stop by her website www.siwydenim.com.
-Katy Bagli
05/19/2009 at 11:11 am
beautiful lady, beautiful spirit, beautiful jeans