BB: When did you realize you wanted to become an accessories designer?

ELLEN: I wanted to become a designer since I was a little girl. It was always my dream. I just didn’t know exactly  when it was going to come true.

BB: What was the first thing you ever designed?
ELLEN: I can answer that several ways…When I was little I used to make all my Barbie clothes She needed to be fabulous at all times… The first official design would be my bright red yellow and turquoise fringe necklace ( almost a year ago to the day).

BB: How long does it usually take you to construct a piece?
ELLEN: I have it down to a science now so it can take me anywhere from 30mins- 1 ½ hr to make one piece.

BB: Describe the general process you go through to design and realize one of your pieces.
ELLEN: It’s all in my head. I have a very vivid imagination. I actually look at the fabrics and start to think how would the colors go together . I grab the fabric and let my fingers go to work.

BB: What are some of your accomplishments as a designer?
ELLEN: I was recently featured in time out NY magazine (feb.24th issue) for there hot looks for spring issue.

BB: Where can readers buy your pieces?
ELLEN: Hillary Flowers Boutique downtown on the Lower East Side 40 clinton st. between rivington and Stanton, Bebebnoir in Harlem on 8th ave. between 116th and 117th, and at my online etsy store eldenwaclothing.etsy.com

BB: How long have you worked as a designer?
ELLEN: Its been a year since I left my job in Advertising to pursue this fulltime. Although I was all a designer in some form whether its illustrations, graphics, or fashion.

BB: How do you select your models?
ELLEN: Personality, personality, personality. We all know that models are pretty or have an interesting look, but I need people with personality.
Once you get in front of the camera the beauty can only help you so much. I want to feel emotions in my pics. Having a background in the Ad world really helps me out with this because I am familiar with the casting process so I know what to look out for.

BB: Do you consider yourself an artist?
ELLEN: Yes, definitely. I describe my pieces as FUNctional Art.

BB: What’s your favorite part about conceptualizing a design?
ELLEN: Selecting color combinations. Color says so much about a person and their style. It can totally make a break a sale.

BB: How do you prepare for a fashion shoot or show?
ELLEN: I like to flip through fashion magazines and websites so I can get a feel for different body language. I also just walk around the city and people watch. You can get great ideas for styling. I think all fashion has its roots in the streets.

To learn more about ELLEN WAGNER and her work, check out http://www.etsy.com/shop/eldenwaclothing

This entry was posted on Saturday, March 12th, 2011 at 9:47 pm and is filed under Interviews Designer. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.