Venus Girl of the Month: Tatiana Mclane

A 17-year-old L.A.-based designer gives us a peek inside her fashion fantasy, and shows us looks from her spring 2010 line

By Siera Cerny
Published: October 14th, 2010 | 12:00am

Tatiana Mclane started her fashion line Queenie4ever at age 9 and was the youngest designer invited to L.A. Fashion Week in 2009. Using her fairy tale fantasies and real life experiences, Mclane creates clothing for a new generation of girls and proves she's got an eye for girly, accessible pieces as well as elaborate party dresses. She told us about her hopes and dreams for the future, how she has fun in the present, and what it's like to be the head designer of Queenie4ever.

Venus Zine: What do you love most about designing clothing?

Tatina Mclane: I love the freedom I have to be creative. Also, seeing others wear my designs is amazing!

VZ: Are there any challenges you face being a teen fashion designer?

TM: There isn’t always enough time to work on my designs and go to school. So, I stay up late a lot and wake up early just to get everything done on time.

VZ: At this point in your life, what is most important to you and why?

TM: Getting into college. I just got back to L.A. from attending Stanford Summer College in Palo Alto. I fell in love! Living in the community, going to the classes, and hanging out with people from all over the world made me realize how excited I am for college life and the intellectual challenges that lie ahead. Also, the school has a completely sustainable (and beautiful) campus. My dorm room didn’t even have AC! But I learned how important it is to save energy in order to help the planet and that inspired me.

Queenie4ever showed at an Emerging Designer showcase during L.A. Fashion Week.

VZ: What is it like working with your mother? How does the collaboration process work?

TM: She is supportive of my endeavors, but also has a great eye for fashion. I am head designer, but I consult my mom a lot. She is my personal manager and takes care of the business and legal affairs for Queenie4ever. We also have a lot of fun together and like to coordinate our outfits for special events and promotional outings.

VZ: Aside from designing clothing, do you have other hobbies? What do you do for fun?

TM: I love Japanese culture, so I spend a lot of time in L.A.'s Little Tokyo and at Kinokuniya Bookstore where I find Japanese Manga Books and browse through Japanese fashion magazines like JJ and CUTiE. My friends and I like to shop on Melrose, hang out and meet new people at Universal City Walk. I also love to play dress-up, trying on clothes with my mom at Betsey Johnson and Tarina Tarantino.

VZ: If you could go anywhere in the world and do anything you wanted to do, what would that be?

TM: I want to go shopping and look at the fashions in Harajuku! My friend, Frankie Clarke (who is my Queenie4ever muse and model), and her mom, Daniella (the designer for Frankie B. Jeans), got to hang out in the Harajuku Fashion District recently. After hearing about how amazing and creative the styles were made me want to see it for myself. I'd also love to go to a summer festival in Japan to experience the food, games, and culture first-hand.

VZ: Where do you see yourself in 10 years? Is there anything you hope to accomplish that you haven’t already?

TM: In 10 years, I see myself with a college degree and traveling the world while working in the entertainment and fashion industry. I would love to be a professional wardrobe stylist. I also see myself opening up Queenie4ever boutiques in L.A. and Tokyo, where I hope to sell my designs to girls who love clothes and music—and I want to host fun tea parties at my stores.

VZ: How do you dress on a regular basis? What is your favorite article of clothing right now?

TM: I wear a uniform to school, so I only get to wear different types of clothes on the weekends. My signature style is cute and girly: ruffles, bows, and cameos. I love shoes especially lace-up boots and Mary Jane flats.

Some of my favorite pieces right now are my navy blue sailor mini dress I found at Buffalo Exchange, my Queenie4ever black lace and pink taffeta party dress (seen on Queenie4ever runway), my Gwen Stefani Harajuku Lovers messenger bag, my red Victorian lace-up boots from ModCloth, and my Tarina Tarantino owl necklace and bracelet that Tarina gave me for my birthday.

Tatiana Mclane (seated) and Frankie Clarke (standing) wearing Queenie4ever's Prom Collection on location at Melissa Joan Hart's L.A. candy store Sweet Harts.

VZ: Any current projects you’re working on?

TM: I am really excited about my sustainable reconstruction collection that I named the “Kimono Project”—I take old kimonos and reconstruct into modern, wearable pieces. I was inspired by a sustainable fashion show I saw at Stanford. I thought it would be really cool to combine my newfound desire to be more eco-friendly and my love of Japanese culture. I'll debut the Kimono Project collection during L.A. Fashion Week October 14, 2010 at EM and Co Boutique. I'm also designing costumes for the school play. I actually have the lead role—my character is a princess from a Japanese folk tale, which is a perfect fit for me!

Want more Tatiana? Check her out on Twitter, MySpace and Facebook!

---

Think you have what it takes to be the next Venus Girl of the Month? Leave us a comment below, or email intern@venuszine.com and tell us why we should pick you!