Tell me your story, where did it all start for you?
I think unofficially I started in 1999.Well, that’s when I started to make clothing items, I could point the finger at my ex fiancée, she and I where is San Francisco Ca, we were checking out some of the shops and everything thing she found that she liked was leather or had feathers on it, and because she is a vegan would not wear them; motivated to please her, I got around to dusting off my dad’s old upholstery shop in the garage and I started making things for her.
Another finger could be pointed at my friend Daniel (Paradox) he made a point that bondage gear and corsetry I was making was a bit pricey and I should consider selling the stuff I make.
So 2002 came around and I guess I was learned some stuff and you can say good enough and content with making items and selling them, but mind you I was born a painter, and My education was focused on painting and sculpture, to me changing things up and considering myself a fashion designer was not gonna happen, I am a painter. That being said 2007 came around and I had began to get really good at making clothing; I made clothes not only to sell for extra buck but to also use as a tool to focus on something else to get my mind back on track when I would fall into a painters block. 2007 was the year I had my first fashion show at and also my first professional photo shoot with photographer Kat Brett and model Perish, these two events made my name be known real quick and before I knew it I could not keep up with the orders and keeping up with the demands the fashion world was asking from me. Painting is my first love and took a back seat to the clothing; so I think those two events in 2007 was the official starting point.
2009, I moved to Los Angeles and it was officially the start of the real MADNESS!
When did you decide you wanted to be a fashion designer?
I never really decided that I wanted to become a fashion designer.
I think I just answered this in question one, yeah?
To this day I don’t consider myself a fashion designer.
I am an artist that makes wearable art, conceptual pieces of art as an extension of the body. But whatever, it’s not too important that that is known, it’s just how I feel to respect to the fashion designers that went to school for and was put through the ringer and to earn that title…
Although, you may hear or read me say “I am a fashion designer”, I do that for the sake of argument, and not split hairs when the need to explain what I do to someone.
What do you look forward to in a working day?
A good workday, I need to have productivity, progress, and some kind of accomplishments happening or the day feels wasted and incomplete.
How often do you put out new designs?
When I started, I was happy with the work I was putting out there, so I put stuff out every week to two weeks.
But, as far back as 2011, I decided to put stuff out every 6 months give or take. I was working solo at this time because my girls where done with school and maybe even me and moved on, I never was able to replace them, so most of my time was spend with back orders, fashion shoots, and other gigs.
As of now though, I‘m revamping my business, if all goes well, I will have a traditional clothing line where I will have seasonal items, so far so good.:)
Tell me about what you offer as far as products, custom work etc
In the past I started out with leather work and rubber work, mostly corsetry, fetish bondage gear, club wear, armor, and …well, call me Mr. Miscellaneous, I did/do everything. Most everything I did was a one-of-a-kind and limited runs, also 90% of the time it was a made to order product. Most of my early works are conceptual pieces and not every day wear friendly.
As of now I am revamping, I want to create a steady flow of items such as bags, pants, jackets, shirts, shorts, gloves, dresses, you know, every day street wear.
As for custom work, well I don’t do custom work very often; I try to avoid it all together actually. Although I will make alterations to an already existing item, I don’t really fancy making other peoples designs (unless they are totally outrageous) and I don’t do knock-offs, no cosplay, and I do my best to stay away from the DIY stuff.
If I’m in a good mood I may touch steam punk, I do like the color brown.
What is your biggest pet peeve?
I have many pet peeves when it comes to the fashion industry, but I think the one that tops it off is:
THIEVES!
I hate thieves on many levels.
They take my intellectual property and profit off of it, something that took me a long time to create, the time and energy I put into something is easily violated, it’s like they are taking of piece me and using it to benefit themselves with no regards to what harm emotionally and financially it does to the source. It’s a reflection of the selfishness, greed, and disrespect many people has for one another, its criminal.
Laws don’t allow me to sue people for theft, because what is being taken from me is fashion, and fashion IS clothing and clothing is considered a utilitarian item, you can’t protect you fashion designs like I could a painting or sculpture. Although, logos can be protected but I don’t want to cover my gear with patterns like Gucci clothing, always being COVERED in that pattern; I want to make art not billboards, esh!
Ah gawd, nose bleed… Brb.
How would you describe your aesthetic? Has it evolved over time?
My look, well in the beginning, I guess my look could be described as if Antoni Gaudi and H.R. Giger got together and made clothing for a fetish clothing store.
My stuff is DARK, but could be darker.
As of now, I’m pretty divers. Although I usually stick to my roots but I have a bad habit of taking on challenges to satisfy myself….I have regrets.
I could go on telling you about my new stuff that I have not revealed yet but I’d rather show you with my work, it has a larger vocabulary and command over the English language than I do with a vernacular of its own.
Top career moments so far?
I have many, I can’t remember them all and some are still pending, so I’ll just give you my favorite memories but not in any order.
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I dressed up Pam on True Blood for the episode when her face was cursed by a witch.
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Had a small glimpse of my work in Dexter.
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Worked on John 5’s DVD.
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Did my part in Brittany Spears “Hold it against me” video.
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Dresses Marilyn Manson once or twice, I forget.
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Helped make some wardrobe for the witches in Hansel and Gretel: Witch Hunters(2013) movie.
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Loaned clothing for Emily Browning in the movie Plush(2013).
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Being back stage with my friend’s band The DARK opening up for Peter Murphy and being on the side stage (right) hidden in the shadows watching Peter play.
That felt like bragging….
What does a typical day look like for you?
I usually spend a typical day face down behind a sewing machine, computer, or paint brush, usually alone or with one or two helpers, with music playing fairly loud and the drudgery goes on.
How would you describe your personal style?
How I dress? I dress dark, but I try not to stand out, I usually like to be left alone when I go out and do my thing.
I’m not the peacock I used to be.
When you are not designing, what do you enjoy doing?
I like to write, paint, study and research people and art; I usually try to learn something. I’m not much of a drinker anymore and it’s also difficult for me to just sit back and watch T.V., my mind doesn’t really rest, even if I am caught glossy eyed and drooling over a TV show or a movie, my mind is still absorbing information and my cogs are still moving.
Fashion is a very competitive industry, have you ever had moments where you wanted to quit?
I never wanted to quit, but I did on many occasion want to take breaks.
Once when I found out 2 people where copying my designs and where claiming them as their own and making money, I wanted to stop…find them and eat their livers.
Another time is when I was no longer content with my work and wanted to stop and revamp return to the source that I was taping from originally. I felt like I was failing people by repeating myself and making mediocre work. I had new designs, grand things but was never able to bring them to life; they cost too much and took too much time to make, all my time and energy was already swallowed up by current events; I didn’t have much time for myself anymore.
I was over worked and my body was telling me to take a break, or you will stop involuntarily by some medical mishap.
I wanted to paint again.
What tips would you give to a budding fashion designer?
I will give 3 tips since my actual list is too long.
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If happen to work with others on a big project, utilize your right to have a contract. Have your project agreements on paper or even a legit email that the courts would recognize as a legal binding document; this is to protect yourself, your work, and your company, don’t be afraid to get a lawyer to go over your contract. Even if it’s a friend you may be working with, get a contract. Trust, honor, and integrity, is a big three in this industry that are usually pretended by some people who are looking to take advantage of you in a blink of an eye if they want something you have that will benefit them. Also if the company goes down or there is a disagreement in management and there is a split, you are protected and they can’t take what’s not theirs. You get the picture…
I used to joke around and say, “In Hollywood you know you found true love when the contract says it is so and also says you are getting paid.”
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If you didn’t go to school for fashion, it isn’t necessary but it would be wise to learn how to sew by industry standards, learn the jargon, learn about fabrics and other materials, hardware, treatments, color theory, etc., It will help you communicate with others that are professionally taught who you may become interns or employees, also during your schooling, you are guaranteed to learn more about fashion than you thought you knew, and guaranteed this will help you grow as a designer.
There are many benefits that come with extending your knowledge and skills.
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When you first start out as a designer, you may want to get as many quality photo shoots as you can of your work, and make sure you are credited. By doing this the model and the photographer will pimp out “their” work and you will be, should be credited the word will get around, or in this case images of your work and name start to get spread around, this if you haven’t noticed is free advertisement. In the beginning you will most likely TFP (trade for print) your brains out; you will run into a lot of gray areas about payments for services but in time you will know when to start charging and when you will start paying…and when it’s still cool to work for free.:)
Follow him:
http://eirikaswang.deviantart.com/
http://www.modelmayhem.com/543552
https://www.etsy.com/people/EirikAswangCreations?ref=si_pr
http://www.pinterest.com/silverpill/pins/
http://write-and-ramble.com/2013/10/15/artist-spotlight-designer-eirik-aswang-for-tm-blog/
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