Discovering Atèlette's Voice

This August marks my third year as a self-taught designer and as someone that really struggles with recognizing my own achievements and milestones, I'm working on taking time to slow down and self-reflect instead of always chasing the next step. Mindfulness, intentionality, whatever you want to call it. I don't really have the vocabulary for it yet, and I'm not too worried about how to define it, more concerned right now with actually doing it.

Entering into my third year of design, my process is a lot different now compared to year one and year two. I'm realizing I can and should lean into my own lived experiences and the places I have lived as inspiration for Atèlette. From my island upbringing in the Philippines, to immigrating to the US and living in the Hudson Valley and summers in Vermont, to my family's big move to Texas, my "you only live once" decision to move to Budapest, then eventually making my way to Los Angeles and the Pacific Northwest. 

What does my brand and my clothing line look like using all of these places I have lived in as a backdrop? I mean, it's pretty varied, they're all pretty distinct chapters in my life, but putting it all together, there's my own sense of style and aesthetic borrowing all of these elements from so many different things I love and find inspiration in. 

I was watching an old season of Project Runway, and I've always loved when designers have a very clear and distinct DNA but can also evolve and change and yet still feel so recognizable. That's what I would like to do for Atèlette, define and refine her well enough so she's distinct. I don't think I'm there yet. I do get some comparisons to other brands, like my line reminds me of Brand D and brand C and brand S. I don't mind the comparison, but eventually I want to be recognized just for being myself, for being Atèlette. The comparisons probably stem from the fact that I'm still so new to this space and obviously these brands have a lot more clout and recognition than I do, so I understand it. Every time someone makes these comparisons though I always want to respond with, "Yes, and all their ideas came from vintage and antique references, so really, we're all borrowing from the same place just interpreting them through our own voice."

Simply put, I do not want Atèlette to be known as a look-a-like brand. I have my own views, my own references, my own experiences, and my guiding star right now is figuring out how to make my voice clearer and more distinct without having to shout or make too much noise. 

I am not really sure how to do that yet other than to continue doing what I am doing and refining my process. I am currently working on Pre-Fall styles and my process now is different than even just six months ago. Is it better? That remains to be seen. Though, I am really excited with everything I have been sketching lately, and I get all giddy when I see my drawings and realizing at some point in the future these drawings will be actual garments I get to wear! 

For Pre-Fall I am drawing inspiration from Tasha Tudor and her love for the mid 19th century silhouettes and aesthetics, from my time spent living in Hungary and traveling around Eastern Europe via train, Andrew Wyeth color palettes, and just a little bit of the charm of rural countrysides whether that be the Philippines or Texas. I'm looking at my new designs and it feels so true to me, it feels very personal, and also a lot more cohesive and linear. And I think this is how eventually I give Atèlette her distinct voice. By staying true to who I am, honoring my past, and weaving in all the things I love into my work.

Cover Image: Harald Slott-Møller, Danish, (1864-1937), "Midsummer's Night Eve", 1904