Designer Q&A: Alyssa Bowers

Meet Alyssa Bowers, an entrepreneur and clothing designer. She is laidback, easy to talk to and hardworking. You can find her t-shirts, hoodies, dog clothes, and more at our shop. Read on to find out Alyssa’s go-to style essentials, her fashion philosophy, and what she is up to next! 

 

Introduce yourself  

I co-own Vitae and I also own a clothing company, Acanthus Apparel, with my husband Joshua.

How did you get started?

Our clothing company kind of started in college when we taught ourselves to screen print. Then we took a break for a while. And then I bought my husband a sewing machine for Christmas in 2005 as a present. We started doing crazier shirts, like dyeing and sewing patches and screen printing. And people just started asking, “Where can I buy those?” So a hobby turned into a business.  That led me to meet the other women that I own Vitae with. We met at a fashion show. I had been working with a clothing company and was asked to do a fashion show. They (Julie and Melissa) were also designers in the show and that’s where I met them.   

Designer Q&A: Julia LoVan

Meet Julia LoVan, the woman behind J. LoVan Designs, Trouvés and modeling agent at LVN Models. She is a ton of fun to hang out with, energetic, and talented. You can find her work (bowties & dresses) at our shop. Read on to find out Julia’s thoughts about Des Moines, tired fashion trends and what she has next for Vitae!

Introduce yourself 
I’m a designer and an agent for a new modeling and talent agency called LVN Models. 

How did you get started? 
My Mom is a seamstress. I grew up sewing random items by hand (Barbie clothes, pillowcases) I remember going to the library, checking out magazines and just reading every single thing. I would even read the advertisements. I was studying the pages, and I realized that others would just flip through the magazines. I had never thought I could have a career in fashion, living in the Midwest, so I just did sports and thought about being a teacher and a coach. 

Other major fashion demarcations are my college internship in London with Zandra Rhodes Enterprises, my jobs at Chan Luu and Core Clothing, helping start Hope in the City and being a part of LA Fashion Week and at the same time being able to work with some great groups like Falling Whistles, Raven + Lily, Mike Colon photography, and showing my line at Project Ethos fashion show in Hollywood which got me on the cover of California Apparel News.

Beata Dirycz : Punchy color, gutsy goods.

Beata Dirycz

(Bee-at-ahh Dear-itch)

This contemporary, fun clothing label is one of a handful at Vitae that come from outside our area code.

Originally from Canada, for a time in L.A., Beata now calls San Bernadino home.  We have been working with Beata since the 'MySpace' days - so- for the long haul, know what I mean?

We always find her dresses to be stand-out peices that command attention.  Her choice of color, minimal lines and assertive, yet feminine detail have earned her a following internationally.