Femininity in Fashion is SO back⭐️!
The overwhelming diversity and creativity that can be shown through fashion is exactly why it’s one of the best ways to express yourself! Because fashion comes in different sizes, shapes and aesthetics you can produce unlimited creations. Recently, we’ve had the amazing opportunity to interview a top notch designer, who is known for her ethereal and handcrafted clothing.
Her Instagram account “Petite Delicates”, really caught my eye. Not just because they were made with beautiful fabrics, but because it’s reminiscent to something you’d see in a vintage Disney princess movie. Her talent wasn't the only thing evident but her skilled precision to hand crafted clothing as well. We are very excited to share this interview with our readers!
1. What made you want to start designing?
In 2022 my cat was approaching the end of her life. When she was diagnosed with end stage kidney disease, I wanted to spend as much time as possible with her and stayed home to take care of her. To provide for her, I started a business from home. At the time I was really into vintage garments and I had my own personal collection. I was just reworking vintage garments, putting my own spin on them. Then I posted them and some went viral. It turned out that people were willing to buy my things, and most of all, people liked my taste. My cat was very supportive and would watch me sew intently, despite being sick, and loved resting in satin and silk. She had her own wardrobe too, including a pink satin birthday dress I made for her, cut from scrap vintage fabric. After she passed, I continued reworking vintage, thinking about her with every piece I made. When I was reworking vintage clothes, about 30-50% of it was my design. But I thought, why don’t I make it 100%? Eventually I started turning to handmade, making things from scratch, and that’s when I grew significantly. In a time of hardship I fell into a career I never imagined I would end up in. I found something I liked and was good at and naturally it kept growing because I was so passionate about it. I started this brand out of love for my cat and I see this brand as a way of immortalizing her memory. My logo is actually a stylized version of her ears.
1b. Is there anyone is your life who influenced you to start hand making clothes?
No one in particular inspired me. I just naturally transitioned into handmade. Handmade items appeal to me because there is a beauty to how much time and love is dedicated to each piece. That’s what makes it so special.
2.Do you have a favorite fabric you like to work with?
I love using Ponte de Roma fabric. I use it for a lot of my pieces. It’s a thick high quality knit that’s easy to maintain because it doesn’t wrinkle easily. You can definitely feel how high quality it is and that’s why my customers love it.
3.What is your favorite color combination you like to work with?
I love using pastels—mainly pinks. I love combining them with yellow, green, and blue. My brand has a soft feminine aesthetic so this color palette suits it and is what my audience is drawn to.
4.What Inspired your store name “Petite Delicates”?
My brand name comes from the fact that my pieces are comprised of petite and delicate things. I also intentionally chose these two words because the words “petite cat” are hidden in it to describe my old cat. She was a little old lady, standing 1’2.
5. Has designing always been something you wanted to do?
Designing isn’t something I always wanted to do. When I was little I wanted to be a marine biologist because I loved the ocean. My mom actually worked in a garment factory. There was a time where she would pick me up from school on her break and take me to work to finish her shift. I’d ask her if she needed help, and she would say, “No, I do this kind of work so you don’t have to in the future.” I didn’t look at any sewing machines for years because she didn’t let me. But I was naturally drawn to fashion because I saw it as an admirable art form, I loved dressing my cat, and because of the chain of events that led to me falling into this career I mentioned before. My mom of course finds it odd that I love this work but isn’t it beautiful how some things come full circle? She didn’t want me to be like her because this line of work is daunting, but why wouldn’t I? She’s hardworking, and this craft takes a lot to master and I love the challenge. The point of existence is to work on becoming better than who you are, so it’s alright to put yourself in a situation that makes you slightly uncomfortable and challenged. It helps you grow. You never learn any life lessons or anything about your true potential when you are never challenged. I think one of the purposes of life is to find what you have to offer to the world and this journey has helped me discover that.
6. If you could describe your brand in three words, what would they be?
Romantic. Dreamy. Elegant.
7. When you are creating, do you like to listen to music? if so what kind?
I do listen to music while I work most of the time. I don’t have a particular artist I listen to, but a genre. The type of music I listen to is dreamy beach vibes. It calms my soul and helps me get in the headspace to make dreamy pieces.
8. What are your plans? Would you like to open a shop or boutique?
Currently my plan is to keep growing and reaching more people. I think my brand could appeal to people who love the look of lingerie but want to implement it into streetwear. Right now I’m mainly focusing on my online presence. In this day and age it’s the best way to reach people. It’s also most cost effective for me because I’m essentially bootstrapping. But I would like to have some pop up shops in the near future. So far, no plans for a brick & mortar location but that isn’t out of the question.
9. Do you have an end of the year goal you would like to achieve concerning your shop?
I want to keep my specific year-end goals a surprise for my followers. I definitely have things in store for them this year. A general goal I have is to keep reaching more people, and the right audience. So far I’ve received a lot of support and kindness. It’s told me that people really are interested in my creations and I want to keep that up.
10. What advice would you give to aspiring designers?
Fashion is a very demanding industry. First you need an insane amount of grit, determination, self-motivation, and confidence for this field. My advice is to seize the opportunity to bring your vision to life. If you never start and finish your work, you’ll never see what you can do. You might get a lot of criticism or doubt from the people close to you. You might feel discouraged from the lack of support or when some of your designs don’t turn out as well as you want. You might doubt yourself. But don’t let that doubt excuse yourself from the pursuit altogether. Your only choice is to develop a better mindset. The second you believe your work is not important, you have given up and that I believe is the lamest thing someone can do. Give up. I believe one of the purposes of life is to find what you have to offer to the world. Push yourself and don’t give up. Fortify yourself. Become more than what you are. You will learn so much pursuing something that challenges you. Create a story where you can look back on your journey and proudly say ‘I have been my own hero.”
Bonus Question⭐️: What season gives you the most inspiration when designing?
Bonus: I get the most inspiration in the spring and summer. My pieces are most reminiscent of those seasons with their bright color palettes and romantic silhouettes. When that time of the year comes around, inspiration is just everywhere when you look. You could like the neckline of a top a lady across from you is wearing, or the hem of a dress the woman next to you is wearing. I’m generally an optimistic person so it carries over to how I approach life. I like to focus on what I like around me. When I do that, it inspires me to create something beautiful on my own.
We would like to thank “Petite Delicates” again for her time and her wonderful answers ⭐️! If you like to see more of her ethereal designs be sure to follow her Instagram @Petitedelicates.
