Blasphemina’s Closet combines fantasy, fun, and fancy for those who like their fashion to be made of the stuff of fairytales, prep school uniforms, and Japanese street fashion.
On Thursday, March 3, Blasphemina's Closet, will present its first solo show, L'ecole de la mode, at Hell’s Kitchen (Time: 9 p.m. Admission: $10 at the door)
Owner/designer Samantha Rei took time out from designing, fundraising, and organizing to provide a peek inside Blasphemina’s Closet.
Love the title of your solo show. Where did it come from?
“My new collection is heavily inspired by British private school uniforms from before 1950, the uniforms from Christ Hospital (the first school to use uniforms and to this day has the same Tudor-style), and reform schools. 'L'ecole de la mode' literally means 'School of Fashion'."
Why a solo show? Why now?
“I've been in business for 10 years. I decided that 2011 is time to focus on my label. While I will continue helping where I need to, I think it's time to make sure I'm moving in the direction I want to. I had the option to do a couple of ensemble shows out of state or to focus all of my energy on a local solo show. I think this is the right choice.”
You're raising money for the show. Has it been a challenge or are you someone who has always been comfortable asking for the money?
“It has been a bit of a challenge. In the years I've been in business, I've never taken out a business loan, I've never had grants and I've had to put the majority of the money I make back into my business."
"Upon consulting some friends and colleagues, the suggestion to give fans, clients and other small businesses an opportunity to help me out came up and it seemed like a good idea. I am really good at working on a small budget so with a small nest-egg; I feel I can put on a good showcase of my collection. I'm very grateful to the people who have helped so far and if I get a good amount in the up-front, I can give more to charity at the end.”
What can we expect to see at the solo show?
“Well, I've lovingly said it's school-themed, but that doesn't mean you need to show up in a Legs Avenue costume. In fact, as a fan of class and modesty request that no trampy schoolgirls show up! Have fun with how you dress, though! At all of my events I ask that people show up fancy.
A little over a year ago I saw the local band Skittish play at Club Underground and I fell in love with them. They call themselves folk, they are really starting to evolve into more punk cabaret in my opinion...Their new album, The Perfect Shade of Green, is actually a really large inspiration to me for this collection.
FairShadow Photography will be hosting a school picture day style photo-booth. Models will walk around after the show to answer questions. I'll be selling look-books to benefit the Civil Society, a local group that helps victims of human trafficking that I've been fundraising for over the last year. It'll just be a big fun party!”
Some of your designs are “Lolita”. What is “Lolita”?
"Lolita is a style of fashion originating in Japan in the 1990s that embodies femininity, innocence, modesty and class. To the Western eye, the girls look like pretty dolls, whether Gothic or sweet, and seem to exude youth. It's heavily trenched in Victorian style, so there are very tailored and fitted silhouettes with amazing detail. It has nothing to do with the book by Nabokov…and unlike the titular character who is a nymphet, these girls dress for themselves and other girls and don't focus on what you need to do to make men and boys happy.”
Where does your inspiration come from?
“Books, mostly. I read a LOT of books. Mostly young adult fantasy/sci-fi and fairy-tales. My favorite series right now is the Foundling's Tale Trilogy (formerly called the Monster Blood Tattoo series) by D.M. Cornish. They have charts, appendixes, maps and illustrations, all things I love in a story. I'm also inspired by movies, bookstores, Japanese designers, historical research, travel, and my favorite designers.”
Tell us about the Blasphemina’s Closet woman.
"She loves cake, tea, food made from scratch, a good glass of wine and anything that she can discuss with her friends and make them envious of what she consumes. She learns and reads; she dreams of travel and has an effortless time making friends because she's honest and open-minded. She's a princess. She's a warrior.”
Celebrities would you love to dress?
“Eddie Izzard, Kerli or Toshiya (bassist from the band Dir En Grey). I've wanted to dress Eddie Izzard since I was 19! He is a very fancy man.”
Favorite fairytale?
“Three-way tie: Snow White, The Juniper Tree and Allerleirauh. My favorite story is Alice in Wonderland. That's a funny question! I just asked that on my Facebook fan-page!”
What’s next?
“I'm hoping to start approaching investors this year. My two-year plan is to go into production. It looks like I might be doing Seattle Alternative Fashion Week this Fall. I'd like to do a trade show by 2012. I have a lot of traveling to do this year (New York, LA, Atlanta, Seattle, Madison, WI).
I'm going to move out of my home studio sometime this year so I can have more space, take on more interns and get out of my husband's hair. I'm also looking at starting a family in the next year. I'm hoping to have very fashionable children.”
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