Designer Q&A: Melissa Speridon

Meet Melissa, the designer behind Pink Revolver. She is great to talk to, funny and down to earth. You can find her jewelry and vintage inspired designs at the shop. Read on to find out how she got started, what she thinks of Des Moines, and what she’ll be up to next with Pink Revolver.

Introduce yourself

My name is Melissa Speridon. I am from Minnesota, grew up there. I went to a 2 year school in Minneapolis and took the design program there. I have always loved fashion. I have always aspired to do something artistic and make it into a career. I fell into that program and it taught me the basics of everything I needed to know to get started. It really groomed people into becoming small designers. All the professors there were doing something within the industry. I came to Iowa a few years later and fell into a vintage store. That kind of molded my design ideas and helped me find out what kind of niche I wanted to go into. Later, I met Julie and business ideas kept coming up. We kept pushing each other and it just kind of happened. It evolved from a tiny booth in the east village to our store, Vitae Design Collective. 

How did you get started?

I came up with the label first. Everything I like to do has a rough but feminine edge. Sometimes it is a little loud, but essentially wearable, nothing too crazy. I remember sitting around with my boyfriend and came up with the label name. It just made sense to me. Pink Revolver. It just came from there. I love a lot of fabrics from the 60s and 70s. I love that whole era of freedom, the movements, and experimentations. I was always drawn to that. That is how my designs are influenced. 

Instant Heirloom

There's something about spoon rings.  Just watching people notice them in the store validates that again and again. - they become so  fascinated by the craftsmanship, the detail, the density.  Even the 20-somethings that don't know the whole "spoon ring" phenomenon of their mother's era, or  that these are made from silverware at all,  seem to realize that they are holding a story.  It's a story we love.  Something useful becomes something beautiful...a keepsake with a head start has an added value that's hard to explain....but we don't have to, do we?  We regularly stock beautiful rings, bracelets, earrings and necklaces crafted by Dank Artistry of Ames, Iowa.

It's a Pretty Little world

Little Pretties is a delightful line of intricate charm and whimsy - which is a word I don't typically use - ever!  Hear me out though, it's not your mama's whimsy.  It's more like Grandma's, or the kind you per sued when you were 6 and found a magical tin of vintage buttons or discovered that there were sweet little violets hiding in the grasses of your lawn one day.  Little Pretties trinkets invite us to pause and remember why we crushed on that freckled boy and used up all of our matchy stationary...they're just sweet and we like them. 

Designer Q&A: Andrew Kingsbury

Meet Andrew Kingsbury, the man behind Decadence. He has a cool sense of style and is amazing at taking old objects and making them into new treasures. You can find his leather accessories at the Vitae shop. Read on to find out Andrew’s definition of style, his views on Des Moines and what he has next for Decadence.

Introduce yourself J

I’m Andrew Kingsbury. I am a graphic designer full time for Iowa State University and in my spare time I do jewelry making. I have been doing it since 2004 informally and on a professional basis since 2010.

How did you get started?

Originally I was just making things for myself and friends. I was interested in leather craft. I was buying belts from the thrift store and started making them for myself. 

Designer Q&A: Dani Ausen

Meet Dani Ausen, the designer behind daniAWESOME. She is exciting to talk to, fun, and creative. You can find her accessories at the Vitae Design Collective shop. Read on to find out Dani’s favorite trends, her top style essentials and what she will be up to next!

Introduce yourself
I’m Dani. I’ve always been a person who enjoys making things and being busy. That is what I do. I am always busy and always making something.

How did you get started?
I started making accessories four years ago, and I have been selling at Vitae for three years. I was in an Urban Outfitters 4 years ago and first saw feather accessories. I was really disappointed how expensive they were for the quality. I thought I could do better. I made hair clips for my friend’s wedding and people kept asking where they came from and that’s how I got started.

Koi Story: Acanthus Spotlight and Giveaway

Head over to the Koi Story blog and enter to win an Acanthus Apparel bee hooded scarf. There is also a designer spotlight featuring Acanthus. They answered some questions about how Acanthus got it's start and where they get inspired. Check it out and good luck with the giveaway!

http://koi-story.blogspot.com/2012/10/acanthus-spotlight-giveaway.html