An Interview with a 15 yr old Clothing Designer from Chicago

Meet Isabel.

She’s 15 and resides in Chicago, IL.

I was fortunate enough to meet her father during his visit to our vintage store in Galena, IL last summer.  He spoke highly of his daughter’s talent. Isabel falls right into the handmade community and I’m thrilled that she accepted my invitation for an interview.

Q&A with Isabel:

1.  Describe yourself in one sentence.  I’m kind of a dorky teenage girl who likes to dress up in 1960’s housewife dresses, wear pillbox hats, and make pretty dresses.

2.  Tell us how your desire to become a fashion designer started?  Are you self taught?  It all started when I was 11/12 years old.  I had to make a cape for a Halloween costume idea.  I bought some red velvet, cut out a circle, traced a hood shape, and sewed it together by hand.  After that, I started making them for friends.  I began to make clothes and got my first sewing machine that year for Christmas.  The sewing machine allowed me to create tops and skirts.  I fell in love with making clothes and couldn’t stop sewing.  That’s when I knew that I wanted to become a fashion designer.  Isabel Lily Designs was born!  {My own clothing line!}

Yes, I’m self taught.  I learned mostly by taking old clothes (dresses, shorts, pants, jackets) apart, studying the shapes, tracing them, and piecing them back together.  It was a helpful way to see how clothes were made and it taught me how to create my own patterns.  

3.  Describe what fashion means to you.  I love fashion so much because I feel that it’s one of the best ways for anyone to express themselves. Weather your wearing a vintage piece, designer clothing or something from Forever 21.  When someone doesn’t like a particular piece I’ve designed (and I like it), I don’t let it affect the clothing I create.  Sometime I just make something more outrageous to make them angry.

4.  Where do you get your inspiration from?  The 1950’s and 60’s are definitely my favorite fashion eras.    A lot of my inspiration comes from watching Audrey Hepburn movies.  I always keep a sketchbook close at hand just in case I think of an idea.  Additional inspiration comes from designers I admire and looks I see on the streets!

5.  Do you follow “what’s trending” in your designs?  Or do you work off of your own creativity?  Any particular style?  When making my clothes, it’s almost like a remake of something I saw and really like but couldn’t afford.  That way, I can have something that looks similar to the original along with adding my own touch to it as well.  Most of the time I come up with designs from my own personal style and then think what might be in trend at the moment and add some changes to it.  But it not always affected by that.

6.  What’s your favorite part about conceptualizing a design?  Describe the process for us.  Do you sketch the idea first, then purchase material?  Or vice versa?  Do you have textures and colors in mind before/after the design is in place?  My favorite part has to be when I finish my garment!  If the end is exactly what I imaged, I’m super excited!  Usually when I’m designing I draw out an idea with fabric, color, and texture in mind.  Although sometimes when I have such a specific fabric in mind and I can’t find it anywhere, I get really upset.  Lesson learned: Sometimes it’s better to go fabric shopping and then design my piece.

7.  Have you ever recycled other pieces to reinvent a new piece?  Yes!  Taking things apart and redesigning them into something that matches my style.  I recommend it for anyone who’s a beginner with sewing.  It’s fun to go to thrift stores and find an ugly dress and make it into something cute.

8.  What are some of your fashion goals?  My first goal is to continue sewing and learn new techniques to improve my skills.  After high school I would like to attend Central Saint Martins in London for fashion design.  And see where I go from there.  What I really want is a chance to show my designs on the runway during fashion week!

9.  Name a few of your favorite designers?  Rodarte is definitely my all time favorite.  I also love Miu Miu, Carven, Jason Wu, Stella McCartney, Timo Weiland, and the classics like Valentino and Oscar de la Renta.

10.  What advise do you have for other aspiring designers?  As a fashion designer, stick with your personal style and what you like to make (very important).  Don’t change your own style or perspective because someone doesn’t like it.  Stick with what you believe looks good, what you like, and what is uniquely yours*.

Where can readers find out more about you and your work?  I have my sewing/style blog where I write and share pictures of my designs.  I also have an Isabel Lily Designs Facebook page.

Fun Facts About Isabel: 

Favorite Food:  I love French food, so Creme brulee

Favorite Movie:  The Virgin Suicides or any Wes Anderson movie

Chocolate or Vanilla?  Chocolate, definitely!

What’s the best thing you have dressed up as for Halloween?  Probably my Margot Tennenbaum costume or my Holly Golightly one. 

A peek inside of Isabel’s design studio in Chicago, IL.