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Tuesday, June 15, 2010

Women's wear clothing: An Interview with Amanda Archer


This weeks interview features Amanda Archer from Amanda Archer Collection. Amanda is located in Chicago.

Tell us a little about yourself.
I'm a California beach girl at heart, moved to San Francisco to pursue my lifelong dream to become a fashion designer, graduated in 2003 from FIDM, spent 5+ years working in the industry as a designer before launching my own label: Amanda Archer Collection. I met my husband in San Francisco, he is a fabulous chef, we recently relocated to Chicago for my husbands work where we live with my 11 year old baby kitty.

What special things do you create for weddings?
I create non-traditional wedding dresses and custom dresses for bridesmaids, I'm also known to make matching ties and flower girl dresses from time to time.

Who or what sparked your interest in making wedding-related items?
My background is in evening wear, special occasion women's wear dresses. My passion is designing dresses for all sorts of occasions, (I also love designing coats:) But what really got me into weddings was designing my own wedding gown and bridesmaids dresses, it was such a wonderful experience, I wanted to relive it over again many times.

What is a little known fact, or something unique about your work that is interesting?
My dresses are so wearable even for non-wedding related events, Some of my cotton wedding and/or reception dresses can be dyed afterwards to be worn again, which is great because I believe in being able to wear a dress for more than one event.

If you are married, what’s the one thing you wish you had for your wedding that you didn’t?
Etsy! I did a lot of my own DIY wedding details, but I didn't know much about Etsy at the time, it would have been fun to explore different ideas.

What is your favorite wedding song?
The Luckiest by Ben Folds

What trends do you see happening in your specialty at the moment?
People are thinking more modern, simplistic and unique, getting away from the satin polyester "traditional" wedding stuff you see everywhere.

What is your favorite part of the wedding journey?
Picking out the fabric and designing of course, but I loved our reception which was held at Aureole, Mandalay Bay in Las Vegas. It was sooo beautiful, we had swans in this pretty outdoor pond, even a view of fireworks during our champagne toast, and the dinner was AMAZING too:)

What advice can you share for all the brides getting married this year?
Have FUN!! Don't let the pressure of the "perfect" wedding get to your head, your memories will be of all your friends, family and the laughter and tears of happiness you all share.

What is your perfect honeymoon spot?
Paris, France

If you could pick anyone famous that would purchase your items for their wedding, who would they be?
Zooey Deschanel, although she is already married... so I would need to go back in time.

If you could choose 1 item from your shop that you wish every bride could have, what would it be?
A LWD (little white dress) perfect for the reception, rehearsal dinner or honeymoon

What are some of your favorite shops on Etsy, wedding or otherwise?
I have so many favorites, but to name a few I've had a wonderful experience with: luxedeluxe, charmdesign, and tinatarnoff.

Do you have a website, blog, where we can read more about you and your work?
http://amandaarcher.com
http://independentdesigner.blogspot.com/


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