Features

Hey Erin, can you give me a bit of background on your roots? Where you’re from, how old you are, where do you call home, all that shit?

I grew up in a small suburb outside Toronto, Canada. I lived there until I was 18 then I decided to take the big leap to New York. Now I am 28 and I can’t believe 10 years have gone by here in NYC.  Recently, I call Brooklyn my home. Where I live with my amazing wife and dog Wow Wow.

I know that you got a start in fashion with Supreme. How did that come about and what were your steps afterwards that led you to do your own thing?

I still work for Supreme. I do both. I work at Supreme from 10.30am to 7pm everyday. I do MadeMe before and after that. Also, I work ALL weekend on my little baby MadeMe. 

Why did you decide to start a label? Had you always wanted to, was it out of frustration, or was it just a natural extension of what you’d been doing?

It was all of those things. I’ve always wanted to do this. Then MadeMe came to fruition during a time when I was really frustrated at the current marketplace. I really wanted to create a ‘streetwear’ brand for girls that gave us real options. That’s why I made Leather Jackets, Denim, and Flannel button downs. Now girls have a place to go for more than just a Tee Shirt. Last but not least, starting MadeMe was definitely a natural extension of what I was doing. Working at Supreme has shown me exactly what to do to make my brand successful. I am really, really grateful for this experience.

So when exactly did MadeMe start up and release the first collection? How many collections in are you?

MadeMe became an official brand in the Spring of 2007. I have just released my third collection and working very hard on my fourth.

Where did the name MadeMe come from and how is it representational of you?

There are three meanings behind the name. First, I wanted to show everyone what MadeMe who I am. Second. I am never going to make anything that I don’t 100% love, everything in this line is made for me. I made a promise to myself that I would never make anything I wouldn’t wear. Third, it’s a cute play on the word ‘Madame’…get it ‘MadeMe’?!?! I am so clever… J’taime MadeMe

Where does your inspiration come from when designing?  Do you scour the streets, or markets, or magazines or just dream? And what about Mademe do you think makes the label stand out from the crowd?

I am constantly cataloguing design inspiration for my reference. I read magazines, go shopping, go to parties, shows, etc. The whole time just checking out what people are wearing. I’ve always done this very naturally so when it comes time to design it always comes very easily for me.

What’s in store for your next collection? Is there a theme? Similar or dissimilar to past collections and any direct inspirations for what’s coming up?

Fall 2009 MadeMe is going to drop in August. The collection is entitled "BLONDES HAVE MORE FUN". You can check out the preview video on my blog www.mademeclothing.com/blog .It's a lot of leather, I have fur, I have flannel, I have denim. It's all the 'staple' MADEME goodness, just updated and hotter. I really think those are my trademarks, and why people come to MADEME. Check out the video.

Do you see MadeMe still producing rags in 5 years? Or do you think your success is a product of the current wave and popularity of womens street wear?

YES! YES AND YES!  MadeMe is going to be CRAZY in 5 years. You won’t be able to keep up. I can’t believe you asked me that???????

What are you picking as the key streetwear trend for 09?

I can’t give away my secrets. You’re crazy!

How do you handle the demanding timetable being an international fashion designer? Is it all that you expected it to be?

I don’t consider myself an “International Fashion Designer”. It makes me laugh even saying that about myself. I own a company that needs to make money. I design for fun. And no, being a businesswoman is not at all what I expected it to be. It’s a lot cooler than I thought. 

What’s your favourite part about designing and your most hated?

My favorite part about designing is finally having an outlet to express my own points of view. For the first time I can do whatever the hell I want! It’s great! At the same time, I am solely responsible for all my failures. So, if I make something that I think is crazy but doesn’t sell then I don’t have anyone to cover my losses. So, it’s really a double edge sword. But that’s what makes it exciting.

How do you measure your own success? Runway shows? Sell out collection? International press? Or seeing your threads on a missy on the street?

It’s the best feeling in the world to be walking down the street and see someone wearing something I made. I never stop them to say anything except once. I saw these two guys wearing MadeMe tee shirts from my first collection. I HAD to stop them and tell them that I designed those tees and that MadeMe was my company. It’s was really funny because they were obviously gay and REALLY into MadeMe. I loved that 2 dudes were wearing my tees!!! They were glowing and gushing about how they loved my stuff. It was really cute. That “made me” feel so good about what I do. It was the most fulfilling moment in my career.

There was a bit of a hiatus of fresh womens labels prior to ‘06. Comment? Historically, what brands were you into before this nu wave of female street wear hit the racks?

Growing up I would always wear men’s brands. That’s why I started MadeMe. I wanted to give girls like me who were into “street” fashion a place to go for clothes that spoke more to them. I used to wear (and still do) Supreme, Umbro by Kim Jones, and have always been really into Adidas.

What other brands are you into? Are there any particular labels that you think are creating particularly dope threads right now?

I’ve always really admired Opening Ceremony. Their business model is amazing. I like everything they do, from their retail to their collection to their parties. They are a really great place to go in NYC.

What’s your personal definition of style? What makes you turn your head on the street when you see a hot girl or guy?

I love people that are confident in their own skin. I know that’s a cliché, but it says a lot more than clothes. Although, it always seems that really confident people also tend to have great style. They tend to go hand in hand.

Do you have a particular affinity for colour, or fabric, or cut? Were you college trained or self taught?

I went to the Fashion Institute of Technology in NYC. But most of what I leaned about having my own brand came through my work experience at Supreme. I have been exposed to all aspects of the business from design, to production, to graphics, to retail and merchandising. My experience there has been so valuable to MadeMe.

What sort of clothes did you wear as a kid? And who in the world would you most like to dress?

From 1st grade to 6th grade I wore suits and ties. I dressed like a little businessman. At the time, I didn’t think anything of it! I had women kicking me out of public bathrooms, telling me to go to the boy’s room. Now that I look back on it, I was pretty gangster! The person I would most like to dress is Madonna of course.

For more info on MadeMe and to stay up on their latest ranges make sure you keep mademeclothing.com on your radar.


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