Q & A: Arielle de Pinto

The first time I set eyes on a piece of Arielle de Pinto's bold yet delicate, hand-crocheted jewelry, I couldn't stop staring. The obvious aesthetics grabbed my attention initially, but after careful examination I couldn't help but wonder how much energy, blood sweat and tears went into each piece. It's not easy to gain praise in the fashion industry, especially with jewelry, but Montreal based Arielle de Pinto has made quite a name for herself (rightfully so), and is stocked at a growing list of Style Bite faves. It was only natural that I wanted to know more. I asked Arielle if she would answer a few questions, and she was game. Here's what she had to say:
S.B: Your jewelry making technique appears to be an incredibly intricate process, and very inventive. How would you describe the process? How long does it normally take to create a piece?
A.D.P: It is straight up crocheted chain. I can't tell you any more then that, and I especially will not tell you how long it takes. I can assure you that it is hard on the body.
S.B: What kind, if any, of formal training do you have in jewelry design?
A.D.P: ZERO
S.B: Before starting a collection, or designing a new piece, who or what do you turn to for inspiration?
A.D.P: Inspiration comes from activity for me. seeing things, doing things. If I become too isolated I lose all ambition. If I get an idea and it is not executed within 36 hours, I struggle to maintain interest. I have my materials on me at all times, and some of my best work comes when I am in transit, like on an airplane for 10 hours or in a car. I'll work until I get nauseous.
S.B: When you aren't wearing your own pieces, who else are you wearing? Jewelry and clothing.
A.D.P: Anntian, Electric Feathers, the no.6 line, Boessert/Schorn, Aesa Jewelry. I also love Von Sono.
S.B: If I'm correct, you're based in in Montreal, do you have any favorite boutiques there? How about favorite online boutiques?
A.D.P: Reborn, Les Etoffes, comissaires...local 23 can be good for digging, and headquarters boutique has some interesting things. I never buy anything online except for the occasional piece of junk on ebay though I love to browse the oogabooga online shop . Also erie basin has a beautiful website.
S.B: Any big plans or projects for 2009?
A.D.P: Yes, huge. To stay in one place and cook myself meals everyday. I travelled so much in the past couple of years to promote my line, the only thing that is in my mind is setting up an apartment, and working on showpieces. I do, however have a show coming up mid-January in El Paso, Texas at the Stanlee and Gerald Rubin Center for the Visual Arts
Arielle de Pinto is available online at no6store, Reborn and Stand up Comedy.

Images from S/S 2009 lookbook

Q & A: Arielle de Pinto

Q & A: Slow and Steady Wins the Race

I have a few good friends tying the knot soon, and I've quickly become accustomed to the fact that wedding dresses are expensive, sometimes unnecessarily so. With that said, when I heard that one of my favorite labels was working on their next project, a one hundred dollar wedding dress, I wanted to know more. I've been a huge fan of Slow and Steady Wins the Race for quite some time now; their conceptual and witty, yet highly fashionable collections provide both wearable pieces, as well as a reflection on clothing as a whole. So, when I had a chance to meet the force behind the label, I couldn't help but pose a few questions, and Slow and Steady Wins the Race was nice enough to respond. Warning: we're not just talking about wedding gowns here.
S.B.: S.S.W.T.R. is such a great concept. It's much more than just a collection of clothing, shoes and accessories. What was your main impetus or inspiration behind starting the line?
S.S.W.T.R.: Thank you. It started as a series of thoughts that had been incubating in my head since college. I wanted to communicate certain ideas using a certain visual clothing vocabulary and create a challenge of developing things out of limitations. Economic eloquence.
S.B.: You've done a number of different 'diaries.' Do you have a personal favorite?
S.S.W.T.R.: Nº19 LUXE
S.B.: If I'm right, you only produce one-hundred copies of each style? Why such limited production?
S.S.W.T.R.: That was the original framework, but due to high demand, it has been increased to one thousand. Every style is still available since the work in its entirety functions as a living archive.
S.B.: I hear that your next project is a one hundred dollar wedding dress. This is brilliant. Is it true? And if so, can you elaborate? Why a wedding dress?
S.S.W.T.R.:Yes, I'm exploring the history of the wedding dress and what it signifies—a very emotional exploration, and I want to incorporate that very same feeling in the design. But it's also about upending expectations: The reason a wedding dress costs what it usually does is that it's supposed to be the "ultimate" dress. The wedding is traditionally the most important day in a woman's life, and the dress is supposed to be the most glamorous piece of that day. So how would a one hundred dollar wedding dress affect that equation? And what associations would it bring to the table?
S.B.: When you aren't wearing S.S.W.R., who else are you wearing? Any favorite designers?
S.S.W.T.R.: I have a lot of traditional boys clothing, But I do love original Helmut Lang, Pierre Cardin, And Alaia.
S.B.: What's next for S.S.W.R. Any other plans or collaborations in the works? If so, do tell.
S.S.W.T.R.: 1) Nº20 RAINWEAR collection with Stand-up Comedy In Portland.
2) Guest designing a capsule Collection for Urban Outfitters.
3) And new top secret collections for FW09 and SP10.
Slow and Steady Wins the race is available to purchase on their website, as well as online at Stand-up Comedy.

Q & A: Slow and Steady Wins the Race