Recently I stumbled across the very cool brand, Waltz, an San
Francisco based womenswear line founded by designer and pattern-maker Danielle
Colen. The brand focusses on a topic which I am very strongly against in our fashion industry today and what we call 'fast fashion'. Danielle started her brand in 2014 in response to the fast-changing, trend-driven fashion
landscape and our overcomplicated modern lives, the brand is about paring down
to essentials. Waltz creates classic, timeless staples that allow women to
simplify and streamline their wardrobes. The brand is committed to
sustainability through long-lasting, quality-made garments and most of all supports ethical
manufacturing in the US.
As well as the brand having an excellent ethos the clothes are utterly divine I think you will agree!
Why did
you decide to get into fashion?
I got a
late start in fashion. I always loved clothing, but I didn't touch a sewing
machine until after college! My mom didn't sew and neither did any of my
friends. I was always artistic though, and I knew I wanted to pursue a creative
career. Initially I wanted to be an artist – a photographer – but after doing
that for a while, the fine art world started to feel too insular and academic.
I wanted to return to what I loved on a gut level, and that was fashion. Once I
started taking classes in draping and patternmaking, I fell completely in love
with the construction process. For me, fashion is a perfect blend of creative
and technical thinking.
What is
your latest collection about?
The line
is about wardrobe essentials, staple pieces that I think every woman (myself
included) would like to have in her closet. The collections never have a grand
narrative or theme behind them. Instead I approach fashion design more from a
product design perspective. I think about what pieces are lacking in the
market, or what's already there but could be refined and improved upon. I am
striving to create pieces that stay in a woman's wardrobe for many years, so
its important to me that each piece is well thought out and not based on a
passing trend.
My first
passion was photography and I am constantly finding inspiration in that field,
particularly architectural photography. Right now I'm falling in love with the
work of Lucien Hervé. He photographed for Le Corbusier, but the resulting
images are more abstract compositions of light and shadow than they are about
the buildings themselves. I also find a lot of inspiration in garments from the
past.
What was
the feel you wanted to create from you lookbook/campaign shoot?
My
intention for the lookbook was for it to feel quiet but confident and strong.
We chose the location to emphasize the clean, architectural lines of the
clothing. I wanted everything to look polished, but not slick.
What's on
you're wishlist for 2016?
“Building
Images” book of photographs by Lucien Hervé, Acne Row Jeans, Santal 33
body oil from Le Labo, Kara backpack
Five
items you can't live without?
black
jeans, comfy sneakers (usually nikes), breakfast tea with milk (preferably PG
Tips), music, audiobooks
Post a comment
I adore all your comments!
Massive Style Stalker Love
SSSx