A couple of weeks ago, I got the chance to a) model in Amanda Moss’ Summer 2015 campaign and b) meet the wonderful person and designer that she is.
On the day of the shoot, she had brought all these cool accessories to pair with her super flattering dresses and tons of savoury food to nibble on. Good fashion tastes and snacks? I’m sold.
If you don’t know Amanda Moss, well now is the time.
What was your inspiration behind this summer’s collection?
I have always preferred to design Spring/Summer collections to Fall/Winter collections. It’s fun to think of happy days filled with friends and picnics and bike rides in the park. As soon as I’m in that place, I can easily picture dresses in my head that would be perfect for those magical days.
When choosing the fabrics and colors for this season, I just tried to think simply of what do people actually wear in summer. What do I want to wear? Stripes are great because they’re classic and timeless, but also special and fun all at the same time. I generally don’t use a lot of color in my work. The stripes helped me to keep a denim inspired, neutral color palette, but make it slightly more exciting.
One thing we should know about Amanda Moss the brand and Amanda Moss the person.
There is actually not a big difference between the brand and the person. I am obsessed with trying to create/maintain something that’s truthful and sincere to who I am and what I know. I consider myself a clothing designer more so than a fashion designer. Amanda Moss the brand loves cats as much as the “real” Amanda Moss does!
Why do you design dresses only?
Until a few years ago, dresses had been pushed out of casual wear almost entirely. This massive wave of casual easy wear clothing that started in the mid nineties made it nearly impossible to even find a dress when you “needed” one. Then, slowly, cute casual dresses started reappearing. Also, they’re great because you feel extra special when you’re wearing one and it’s the easiest outfit, because you just throw it on and go!
After working as a designer for a few “fast fashion” companies, and always being told to “add more”, or “we’re missing this”, I just wanted to focus on one thing at a time. This is how I can be sure I’m doing it well. That isn’t to say that I plan to only design dresses until the end of time, but for now, focusing all of my creative energy on this one garment, is how I’m finding inspiration and motivation to keep doing what I love in a fickle industry, that frankly, I find rather disturbing.
One advice you would give to fashion design entrepreneurs?
I don’t know if I’d be the best person to give entrepreneurial advice to anyone. Locally produced, independent design work, in my experience, is very much a labour of love. If that is what get’s you going in the morning, then by all means, follow your heart and dig in, it’s going to be rough but very rewarding. Otherwise, do not do it.
How do you wish your brand will evolve over the next few years?
To be perfectly honest, I haven’t given that much thought. I do hope to continue to connect directly with the people and have loyal customers that look forward to my new collections every season. The relationships I’ve been forming are really important to me. I’m just going to keep connecting with like minded people and build the network of ethical small businesses that will inspire the growth of the brand.
All photos by Stephanie Lou
