Wednesday Indie Artist Fixx with Laura Good

I know that  it is still technically summer (at least in the Northern Hemisphere), but I am getting so tickled thinking about fall fashion..and I bet you are too. That’s why I decided that today was the perfect day to share my Wednesday Indie Artist Fixx interview with Laura Good from Hier Apparel. Laura’s clothing and accessories have me doing  a little ‘bring on the cooler weather’ dance at my desk.

Where did your shop name come from?

Hier Apparel is derived from hier, a Greek prefix meaning sacred and stands to magnify the elemental qualities in everything.

Share some of your inspirations.

I draw inspiration from my imagination and experiences, as well as the past and the past’s perception of the future. My designs are increasingly modern and minimal, but rooted in an appreciation of organic geometry and its ever present reflection in modern culture and urban infrastructure.

What’s your favorite comfort food and why?

It’s hard to choose just one. I would say fresh fruit in general. It’s refreshing, nourishing and I hate going a day without any.

Share something silly about yourself.

I’m terrified of most insects. It goes against my general character, but it’s a phobia that I just can’t shake.

What’s better all the money in the world or all the free time?

I don’t think those things exist independently of each other, at least not in our present world.

What does indie mean to you? You can give a literal definition, choose to be a little esoteric or a combination of both.

In the most obvious and literal sense it’s short for independent and that’s what it’s all about to me. I have a strong motivation to be more self sufficient. To take the road less traveled, explore, experiment and teach myself.

When did you get your start and what made you decide to take the plunge?

I have always been a creative person whether it be studying ballet, visual art, sewing, music or film. I enjoyed all of these activities, but I knew I needed to pick a focus and clothing design seemed like the most realistic way to make a living. I joined Etsy in June 2007, with a few items in my shop, and a goal of quitting my job within 3 years. By February of 2008, I was making consistent sales and by April, I quit my job. My work and business has continued to grow and I can’t thank Etsy enough for making it possible.

What’s been your biggest accomplishment so far?

I won the Best Etsy Vendor award for Chicago Magazine’s Best Of Chicago edition and was featured in the August 2010 issue. This was my first time in print, so I was pretty excited.

When you aren’t working on Hier Apparel, what do you like to do?

I love to cook. I’m obsessed with whole foods (not the store) and I love to make everything from scratch. I practice yoga regularly and have found this to be the perfect replacement for ballet. It’s so much better for the body and it’s just as challenging and technically detailed. I also love to ride my bike, watch movies, play with my kitties and work in a garden.

What’s been your favorite piece/design that you’ve ever created and/or your favorite project you ever worked on?

That’s a tough one. I think each new piece I create becomes my favorite until I create something else. Right now, I’m very pleased with the Moon Pearl Dress.

What’s new or in works?

I released a new bag design a couple weeks ago  and have more bag designs percolating. I’ve started dabbling in jewelry design, mostly necklaces and I’ll be releasing a few designs by early September. I’m also working on some cozy winter designs right now and I’m hoping to get my work into some local boutiques in the near future.