Meet Mountains of the Moon
UPDATE: SEE MOUNTAINS OF THE MOON 2010 SPRING COLLECTION VIDEO AT BOTTOM
MEET MADISON BUYER DESIGNER: Melissa Baswell – Mountains of the Moon
What inspired you to jump into fashion?
I had an interest in fashion from a very young age, and started sewing with my mother when I was a child. In college (University of Wisconsin-Madison), I studied Acting/Theatre, and it was during a required costume design class that I basically had an epiphany where I realized I wanted to design for a living.
What makes Mountains of the Moon different from other collections?
A few years ago, I would have said being a line of contemporary women’s wear that is both stylish and eco-friendly makes us different, but there are so many sustainable lines now that this aspect alone doesn’t make us unique. (This, by the way, is a wonderful thing and something we’ve been working toward for a long time. Thank goodness so many designers are creating eco-conscious collections!)
Today, I think the main thing that makes Mountains of the Moon different is a concept still based on sustainability, but taken a step further. Our collections include a variety of styles, from casual to designer, but every piece is designed with consideration for the fact that truly sustainable fashion must be timeless, and can’t be “out of style” in one season. We really focus on creating pieces that the fashion-obsessed woman can appreciate, yet still feel chic wearing years down the road.
As a designer, what are your most difficult challenges?
Obviously, as with all independent designers, the state of the economy is our biggest challenge right now. People aren’t in a position to spend their money on clothing these days, and with so many boutiques closing and larger chain stores producing overseas and selling garments for cheap, it’s not an easy time to prosper. We’re incredibly thankful that we have such a wonderful customer base and have been able to stay in business and continue doing what we love.
The other big challenge is finding a balance between work and real life. I have a 60 to 80 hour work weeks on average, and need gentle reminders from family and friends that there is actually life outside of work!
What do you find most rewarding?
Seeing someone out and about wearing my designs is by far the most rewarding part of being a designer.
Who is your primary target audience?
Most of our customers are young, urban women, but really, our customer base isn’t defined by age, income, or location. I work to design styles that are versatile and can be worn in many different places and for many different occasions. It’s important to us that our collections offer a little something for everyone.
What’s in store for Mountains of the Moon customers in the near future?
Other than new designs and future collections, our customers can look forward to seeing our designs in person more often. We’re planning some really incredible local shopping events this summer, and we’ll also be involved in a number of different sustainable fashion events going on at music festivals throughout the country. We’ll have more details available soon on the Events page of our website.
Mountains of the Moon by Melissa Baswell: The Spring 2010 Collection from Mountains of the Moon on Vimeo.
Find Mountains of the Moon: Website * Facebook * Twitter
Seattle Fashion Week where is Bisma?
Seattle Fashion Week has been awesome and we are looking forward to tonight’s huge event, Established and International Designers. One designer however will be missing, Bisma Ahmed. Bisma was planning, but unable to attend SFW 10. We got a chance to catch up with Bisma and ask her about her line, B’ZMA.
How long have you been designing your own collection? 
I have been into fashion designing ever since I was a teenager; however I came up with my very first collection last year, during summer 2009. So it has been just about a year!
What are your design philosophies?
Progressive fashion that is asymmetrical in nature, more human than Godlike, is avant-garde yet maintains traditional fundamentals.
Is there a particular designer or two whom you learned from or draw
inspiration from?
Sabyasachi from India, HSY from Pakistan, Peter Som, and my all time favorites like, Giorgio and Gucci.
How would you describe the person who wears your collection?
I currently design women’s wear and would describe her as a young at heart, vibrant, energetic & independent woman who is elegant and trendiness oozes from her personality.
I can only imagine how intensive it is to design and present a
collection. From conception to development to runway, what is your
favorite part of the entire process?
It indeed is an intense process whereby I sketch my concepts first and then start giving them tangibility, and eventually put them up on the runway. The best thing about being in a creative filed is that you enjoy every step of it; hence pinpointing one stage is intricate. However when you hear loud applauses following your collection’s showcase, you cannot match it with any other feeling. Simply put of this world!
So far, what accomplishments are you most proud of? 
Winning Dubai Fashion Week’s Emerging Talent Competition and getting a chance to showcase my collection alongside big names in the fashion industry.
Last year you created a new design called the SMAXI, what inspired
you to create this and have you come up with any new innovative
designs this season?
The word Smaxi has been derived from the Eastern Sari, and the Western Maxi, hence my inspiration was fusion of the two worlds. I wanted to blend traditional fundamentals with contemporary concepts and come up with a new garment, and so SMAXI was born.
This season, sticking to my design philosophy, I have come up with garments which are very traditional in nature when it comes to choice of fabric and embellishments, yet the cuts and silhouettes are modern. I have creatively incorporated tailed and extended sides dresses into this collection.
What advice do you have for emerging designers today?
Stay focused, keep looking out for opportunities. Always have confidence in your work, at times it sells more than your designs! When you love it, they’ll love it.
Idylle Clothing – Whimsical and “Off”
Meet Tyler Ramsey, co-owner of Idylle Clothing, a juniors contemporary women’s line. Tyler is inspired by hand-drawn, old world imagery and french art from the turn of the century. He describes the graphic work as “a little bit whimsical” and a little bit “off”. A great cross between simplicity and the unexpected!
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