Supayana

Supyana used to make clothes just for herself. Then she realized she could make money making clothes.

How, you ask?
So do we.


Chief Magazine: You've been sewing since you were a kid, but you didn't major in fashion design.  Did you always think of creating clothes as a hobby?

Supayana: Yes, it started out as a hobby, but after I realized I could make money doing it, it became a business. It was hard to let go of things I made in the beginning, because I was so used to making things for myself. I would put so much of myself into the clothing.

I have read that you started this as an eBay business to pay for text books.  What made you decide to stick with eBay even after you were picked up by brick and mortar stores?

Well, to be honest, I make more selling on eBay and on my webstore. Brick and mortar stores usually take 50%, so it's more cost effective to try and sell your things at retail price on your own.

Describe the moment you realized that you were a bona fide fashion designer.

Probably when I did an interview for the New York Daily News.  It was so crazy to see my face in the newspaper!

Have you designed for bands?

I haven't really designed for any bands; they somehow got a hold of my clothing. Chunx from Gravy Train!!!! wore my hoodie for a photoshoot.

Did you start this line of recycled, redesigned clothing for environmental reasons?  What do you think is most important about what you do?

I used to do a lot of reconstruction in the beginning, but it's really hard to find really cool patterns or nice quality jersey fabric (which is what I mostly work with). Now the majority of my items are made from new fabrics, but I try to be as eco-friendly as I can be. I try to use every scrap, however, and if I have any really small scraps leftover, I use it for throw pillows or stuffed animals. Also, I collect a lot of my buttons and notions from unusable clothing (i.e. a shirt that has a giant ice cream stain). The envelopes I mail in are made from recycled paper and I usually include a small note asking people to recycle their packaging.

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I assume the line is named after you.  Where did the "Supa" come from?

Oh it's so cheesy. I actually really hate the name Supayana, but it's too late. When I was 16, I named my eBay account "supayana" because I really liked the movie "Superstar."  I really related to Mary Catherine Gallagher. [sniffs armpits] Then I started selling under that name a few years later.and it kind of stuck. I wouldn't know what to call it now anyway.

Your shirts are so colorful. 
What inspires you?

My sewing is an organic procedure. I never really have anything planned out before I start sewing. Since I'm making new styles every day, my inspirations are quite vast... varying from something I've seen that morning, or going back to things I was familiar with in the past.

How long does it take you to create a shirt?  They're really detailed, but do you ever make it up as you go?

I almost always make it up as I go. I don't even have a sketchbook.

Where do you shop to get materials?  Where do you shop for you?

I get the majority of my fabric from the garment district in New York City.  I shop for myself at thrift stores, indie boutiques, and (guilty pleasure) H&M.

Have you ever thought about extending the line to accessories or outerwear?

I've actually started making really cute lacey underwear. They can be found at HQ Galerie & Boutique in Montreal. Also, my friend and I have been talking about making stuffed animals. He's going to design them and I'm going to sew them.

I understand that your designs are all limited-run, meaning only a few of each shirt are made.  Do you do custom sizing?

For my website, I usually just make them in my size because I'm lazy, but if I get a wholesale order for a store, I'll actually do the grading and make different sizes.

How much time do you generally put into each garment?

Maybe two hours of actual sewing, but then you have to count taking the photos, posting the garment online, answering emails, packaging, and going to the post office.

Especially since you've had no formal training, your shirts are so impressive.  Are you completely self taught?

I feel like the shapes are so simple! Yes, I am self-taught.  You can tell because I don't know how to sew zippers.

You recently relocated from Brooklyn to Montreal.  Why?

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Ch-ch-ch-changes! I just go with the flow of things. I fell in love with this city (and a boy) last year and I decided that I wanted to try it out. It's such a beautiful city and the artistic community here is great. Also, you can live in a mansion for the price of a crappy one bedroom apartment in Brooklyn. I'm going to be taking French classes in the fall, so I'm just going to study for a while, and then we'll see what happens. I'm so excited to learn French!

What are your thoughts on mass produced fashion?

It's surprising really cute right now, but it's also forcing me to change my style a little because it's finally caught up to what me and a bunch of my fellow DIY designers have been doing for years.

Any tips for aspiring, homegrown designers?

Work hard and don't give up. Things may be rough in the beginning, but don't let that discourage you. It's normal and you're not the only one who is broke. Always follow your intuition and be good to other people who you come into contact with. Make as many friends as possible. Never underestimate the power of networking.




Website

www.supayana.com

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