Special Feature:  Interview with Laura Gilsan

Ever wonder how the process of fashion design comes to life?  Recently, I had the chance to talk with a young aspiring designer who, in partnership with her best friend the technical sketch artist, has every intention of someday opening their flagship store in NYC.   Currently in their twenties, they have created Paperdoll maison de mode, what they consider “An Urban Fairytale”.

Shown on their Face book Info page, they passionately describe the purpose of their existence:  “Before the time of the department stores, celebrity fashion designers, online shopping, and factories mass producing cookie cutter couture, there was simply the designer and the consumer. Greed, power, and the love for money began to dampen their desire to produce quality fabrics and flawless original craftsmanship. So, a design duo felt they had to do everything in their power to salvage what they could for the art of fashion, thus creating the original Paperdolls.”

1-Where do you get your design inspiration?

“I get my inspiration from New York City. Every move in make, every idea I have is with NYC in mind and in heart. I also am inspired by color, music…”

2-Do you feel that your “formal” education (which is in advertising) helped     prepare you for this career or designing your own label?

“In terms of JUST the designing, no not really. My journey through education has led me to what I’m doing, however I don't think creativity and passion can be taught, it’s just something you posses. Some of today's greats like Marc Jacobs went to the best fashion schools in the world, but I know he possessed the talent prior to a Parsons education.”

3-Have you experienced working for a major apparel company?    If so, what would like to see companies improve on?

“I have, I worked for one whom fortunately, for them they are one of the top retailers in the world. They have a team of a hundred designers and manufacturer over-seas; they in particular, are doing fine. If I could change one thing, I would make it illegal for celebrities to design. It drives me crazy, because these days all you need is lots of money to hire a real designer and as long as their name is on it, buyers snatch it up. It breaks my heart!”

4-What do you wish people would understand about working in the fashion industry?

“That loving fashion is not loving shopping. Although they closely correlate, they are very different…That sometimes being the ‘bad guy’ is the only way things get done... People think that fashion is just pretentious over-paid people making expensive hand-bags...BUT fashion is art...its more than art because you wear it on your back.”

5-What is the most difficult aspect of running your own label?

“There have been a lot of difficult parts of starting this new venture. The most difficult has been starting it with my best friend of 13 years. It has put some serious strain on our friendship and our sanity. It’s hard to love something that not very many people respect, or care about. But when you see your garments go down a runway...none of that matters.”

6- What one piece of advice would you give to someone wanting to start a career in fashion?
“Be careful what you wish for, and make sure you love FASHION not shopping. Be ready for everyone you love and respect to tell you it’s silly, or for them to say they don’t get it... The fashion industry as a whole is not nice sometimes!”

Currently, while also working for 303 Magazine, (a Denver Fashion . Culture . Style monthly magazine in print and online) they will shoot photos of their Spring/Summer line this weekend in preparation for its launch.  After debuting their initial line with a run way show on NYE, they recently sent the Paperdoll  ”look book” to NYC investors.  As they continue to work closely with people in the Denver area to help get them to NYC and with their dedication, hard work, and perseverance will help this dream become a reality.