Friday, November 8, 2013

Feature Friday: Handsome and Lace

I am a designer for little girl's clothing utterly and completely, but I have been faced with many of my friends and family members giving birth to little boys recently that it makes me want to attempt a boys line. I will admit, it's almost easier making little girl's clothing. Add ruffles and bows and you're basically set. I hear all the time from my friends how it is so much more fun to shop for girls than boys. I have experienced this first hand trying to find fun boys clothing for baby showers and birthday gifts, and I've got to say, it is hard to find something stylish and cool, and it doesn't get easier the older they get.
 
I came across a beautiful shop awhile back called Handsome and Lace that specializes in unique bowties and neckties that are "tailored to stand out." Designed and created by Keira Morgan, these incredibly vibrant and fresh pieces are perfectly suited for the dapper man in your life who has his own style and isn't afraid to stand out. I love all the beautiful fabrics and prints she chooses to create truly unique and memorable fashion accessories because let's face it, "bowties are cool" (bonus brownie points for all those who get that reference)!
 
 
1. How do you define art?
I never really thought of art as something you can define. It's personal, whether it be a painting in your favourite room or a tie (wink wink) that you love to wear more than any other, it's up to your interests and feelings to draw you to it. Art is anything if you can see it, it's there. 

2. How would you describe your art?
My art is totally selfish! I create whatever pleases my soul and senses at the time. It's exciting, unique, fun, thoughtful, extreme at times, or subtley beautiful. 

3. Name three adjectives that describe your artistic point of view.
  . Colourful
  . Detailed
  . Artful
 

4. Who has most personally influenced and inspired you as an artist?
Hmmm. I never had anybody to look up to growing up and I can't think of anybody in particular now who inspires me in that way. Is that something I should be worried about?? I think I'm inspired by visuals and things around me more than certain people. Actually, when I was 17 an acquaintance (someone's mom) took an interest in me and bought me a second hand sewing machine. My first one. That definitely inspired me to create!

5. Has your artistic sensibility changed since you first began?
OH YES!!! It does by the month it feels! I went from using much crazier fabrics to keeping within a certain limit. I have jumped in quality a load not only in my fabric choices and attention to hand stitching details, but to my own personal style. I crave quality more than ever. If it feels like it won't have a long life, it isn't worth it! I don't need more disposable things. 

6. What inspires your art?
Every day! An email from a happy customer, a sale of a tie that I thought only I could love. My fiance's kind soul, living life to the fullest. I believe that what we are content with inside of us will bring ease to everything else even if it has no direct link. Being at peace brings out the best in my art. It really does! 
 
 
7. Do you have a favorite artist from another field?
 I'm VERY passionate about the creative choreography of dance instructors like Derek Hough from Dancing with the Stars. I know that sounds silly, but I watch dance with every part of me, so I cry a lot watching that show. I think Dancing is the most beautiful expression of art there is! Once I get the guts to take lessons I will. That's the only thing that eats me up inside every day. I MUST DANCE!
 
8. Who is your favorite competitor from your field?
Is it bad that I don't expose myself to other designers in my field?. I like to not be influenced by other ideas. I literally love to be the most unique I can be and I'd be afraid of something subconscious leaking in. Sort of like Earmuffs for the eyes...
 
9. Do you have any occupation hazards or mishaps?
HAHA. what a fantastic question! YES! I've stabbed myself in the eyeball with the tip of a sewing needle, and my middle finger, which I use to push the sewing needle through fabric as I stitch, is wrecked. deformed at this point. I also get tiny fibers stuck in my eyes, nose, lungs, and even my skin. After putting on my face powder each day there are hundreds of fibers from my cutting between shower and make up time. I've also cut fingers and furniture...
 

10. What did you wish you would have known when starting out?
I believe that in order to do something right, you have to learn in the moment, and not pre-emptively. I knew nothing before starting and through trial and error I've learned way more than I could have being taught or warned about. That doesn't work for everybody as some people need guidance to thrive but for me, I need to see, and do! 

11. What is your favorite item currently for sale in your shop?
LEATHER SUSPENDERS!!! I'm wayyyy too excited about them. Not just because they are cool but because they genuinely look soooooo good on the guys! *swoon !!
12. Who is your favorite author? What was your favorite book as a child?
Okay. You are the first person I will admit this to, other than my sweetheart. I've never ever read a whole book. My mind goes a mile a minute so after reading a paragraph, my mind wanders and I end up staring for 45 minutes before realizing what I've done. I'm very hyper active and don't appreciate reading. I have managed to get through half books though. "Raving Fans" is a good book. I only read 60% of that.
 

13. When you were little, what did you want to be when you grew up?
Anything creative. It started with an actress, then photographer, then hairdresser, then fashion designer, then drawing artist, until I started making womens accessories from neckties and then finally mens accessories. That allowed me to sort of bring everything together. I get to take the photos of my product, create fashionable things, and do some sketches for the new pieces. I also get to do my own hair every morning so it's all full circle!


14. Where is the farthest you have travelled? Where did you dream about visiting as a child?
I've been to Ottawa and Michigan for like 45 minutes. lol. I have never been anywhere. We were foster kids growing up so there wasn't any family trips or anything like that. I've never wanted to be too far from my sewing machine anyway. It scares me to be honest!


15. Which musician or musical group inspires you the most? What was your favorite childhood song?
Oh I have many many favourite bands! Pixies, Modest Mouse, Franz Ferdinand, RL Burnside, San Cisco, Budos Band. Whatever makes me feel alive because when I work, I dance and sing while I do it.  
 

16. Where can people find you and your art online?

6 comments:

  1. Ooh, LOVE the tie with the red specs!
    I also love her answer to Nr. 2 and kind of agree with it :)
    Wonderful feature and thank you for introducing this shop to us!

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  2. Lovely feature! The Superman bowtie is cute! The red specs tie is also cool! Those mishaps sound scary!....lovely shop:)

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  3. I wish my boys would wear ties! These are incredibly awesome.

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  4. Love the tone on tone necktie, very chic!

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  5. Totally awesome feature...something different...personalized for the gents. I like it! I always have such a hard time finding something for Mr. Hausfrau who works in finance and likes to dress up...this might be my ticket this Christmas!

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  6. I think my favorite is star wars bowtie...but again all items so adorable so hart to choose really!
    Great job on the interview!!!

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