Josh Elliot
Form follows function
Emily Ryan’s designs have a blueprint all their own
By Tori Rosin
Published: August 5th, 2009 | 12:15pm
Inspiration is poured into each piece of Emily Ryan’s clothing. “1920's couture, Japanese costumes and design, science fiction, soft sculpture, and landscapes have continually inspired my work,” she said.
She also found design fodder in other media inside and outside her home base of Portland, Oregon. “Some more recent sources of inspiration have been a trip to Japan, freelance work at Michael Curry Design, an amazing puppet shop, and working with Marie Watt, a very talented textile artist.”
Ryan began designing eight years ago. She said the women behind Seaplane, a store known for promoting local designers and artists, propelled her career forward. “I happened to meet [the former owners] in the first few days that I lived here. Aside from being incredibly talented and creative, they also are supportive and encouraged me to start designing, sewing, and then showcasing pieces at Seaplane,” she said.
Another part of Ryan’s business process was to share a store with colleague Liza Rietz. “Liza has a great business mind and she has offered endless advice which has greatly contributed to the growth of my business. It's neat to share the process of a project with someone who shares a similar vision,” Ryan said.
Ryan built her Etsy storefront last fall. “I am very thankful that Etsy exists,” she said. “I think Etsy is amazing in the sense that you can reach people worldwide and work directly with the consumer. Etsy has allowed many small fashion businesses to stay afloat in this current economy, and it provides a new business model for designers.”
Part of the challenge Ryan sees with her work is consumer reliance on mass-produced clothing. “The industry moves so quickly, and because most clothing is made in sweatshops it has lost its value somewhat,” she said. “It's really challenging to make a living as a fashion designer. It takes many, many hours to make a garment, and we've become accustomed to inexpensive clothing. People often don't understand the time it takes to make pieces, thus are reluctant to pay for the time it takes. ”
Ryan remains positive about the future. “I’ve made many sacrifices to keep doing what I love, but it's worth it!” she said. “Creating a new and beautiful design is always so rewarding.” She hopes to use her different sources of inspiration to advance her work. “The future goals for my line are to continually be innovative, forward thinking, artistic, and incorporating new techniques. I hope to eventually have ample time to devote to laborious and sculptural designs.”
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View more of Emily Ryan’s work online at emilyryan.etsy.com
Issue #29
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