Twitter is awesome. I’ve met so many cool people using that service. Who would have thought that 140 characters at a time could be so powerful?
This month I was able to make the acquaintance of designer Juliane Camposano. Her new line is Rosel and is currently based out of New York. She graciously agreed to let me interview her about her line and the inspiration behind it:
Thanks for agreeing to let me feature you and your line on Fashion, Evolved. I really like the style of your designs and I think my readers will, too. I read on your site that your great aunt Rosel was the inspiration for your line. Can you tell me a little bit about her style?
My great aunt Rosel was a very progressive, modern woman in pre-war Germany. She had 4 children and was working at the same time which was most unusual for her generation. As a young mother she worked as a fashion illustrator and designer for a well known Berlin fashion house. The second world war forced her to relocate to the Northsea shore with her family. I remember spending endless childhood summer days at her house on the shore growing up with her grand children. She was always dressed impeccably well, Jackie O. at her Cape Cod house comes to mind. Her style seemed effortless and I would spend hours exploring her closet finding furs, gowns, Chanel suits, the most amazing hats and bags. Her house was decorated with the same ease and perfection. That incredible ease of style inspires me to this day in my quest to create effortless, comfortable fashion.
What is your design background?
I went to school in London to attend Central St. Martin’s college of Art and Design studying design and photography. After I finished I moved to New York where I have been working in the last 14 years in fashion and beauty advertising as Creative Director.
How is Rosel an eco-friendly line?
Rosel is eco-friendly due to the use of sustainable materials. The current collection is based on 100% bamboo fibers and I am currently expanding the line to introduce organic cotton and kapok. My primary focus is to research and find the latest eco fibers available for knit wear.
What kinds of things inspire you as you create new pieces?
My inspiration comes from a lot of different elements and the process is very organic for me. I could be walking through New York and discover something i.e. colors, patterns which I photograph. I read a lot of books and words become images to me that translate into a story for my line. I love to visit galleries and discovered one of my favorite artists Ghada Amer. Her work is incredibly inspiring to me. Movies from the 60’s and 70’s are an amazing source of inspiration, the fashion, the colors, the cinematography. And I am a collector of old, out of print photography books which add to the eclectic mix of resources.
Use three words to describe Roselwear.
effortless, sustainable luxury
What are you most proud of about Rosel?
I think I’m most proud of having been able to fulfill this dream of mine to create knitwear that I can wear due to my sensitive skin. It’s been a long search until I realized that I should create the pieces I am looking for myself.
Which piece is your favorite?
This is a tough one since on one hand I am a huge addict of anything one-piece like and adore the Boogie Jumpsuit for it’s effortless comfort but I am also addicted to the Rosel Shrug for the same ease of style.
What is your vision for the future of Rosel?
My vision is to keep pushing the boundaries to find the newest innovations of eco fibers. Comfort for my skin depends on the fiber and there are currently not many I can use. My goal is to be able to create the designs I envision based on these new innovative materials thus exploring the endless possibilities knit wear technology has to offer.
What kind of response have you had from the fashion community?
As I just launched this brand I am just starting to gather that feedback but have to say it’s been a very exciting journey thus far with great responses.
Where can people buy Roselwear?
Rosel is currently only available by contacting me through my website. I am working on my e-commerce site and with stores that are interested to take on the line in a couple of months.
How often will you be adding new pieces to the collection?
The line will be following the fashion seasons with new styles being added to the collection for Spring/Summer and Fall/Winter. I am currently working on additional styles to complement the current items for a full line up for Spring 10.
Who are some other designers than you admire?
I admire many designers, my favorites would be Missoni, Alexander McQueen and Rodarte. None of them eco friendly though.
Why did you make the choice to found an eco-friendly business?
As I mentioned it was based on the personal quest to be able to create knitwear that my skin can tolerate and eco fibers have the degree of softness just right for me.
What do you think will be the future of eco-fashion?
I think green fashion will become the new black. I grew up in 70’s Germany where recycling, eating whole grains and washing with green detergents was already happening then. In the beginning it was considered a hippy phase but it became a lifestyle, a social consciousness, it became the norm. I believe the same is going to happen to the green wave entering fashion. Even though there is a large fashion demographic that currently equates sustainable with hippies the luxury brands are starting to tap into the green market which shows that a social conscious shift in the luxury fashion industry is happening.
What does fashion mean to you?
Fashion is my passion. It defines who I am, it gives me the freedom to reinvent myself and to express who I would like to be at a certain moment in time. It’s a statement that doesn’t need words.
I also read on your site that you have two children. What do they think about your business?
My boys are 5 and 10 and it is amazing how much they grasp what I am doing. They love the fact that the material I am using is bamboo which one can find in enormous numbers on Long Island where we go on weekends. My little one thinks it’s so cool that he uses my Rosel stamp as a tattoo on his arms which makes me laugh! I have a 5 year old doing PR for me.
What was your greatest challenge in starting up Rosel?
The financial resources and the search for the right fibers were and still are the biggest challenges.
Tell me about your personal favorite outfit–the one you feel most confident wearing (whether you designed it or not).
Not to sound too full of myself but it’s my Boogie Jumpsuit with a Rosel Shrug over it. It truly is one of my favorite outfits!
Which celebrity or public figure has had the best personal style in history?
To me that would be Jane Birkin. She’s stunning, gorgeous, I just find her and her style throughout the years fascinating!
What sets Rosel apart from any other clothing line?
I believe Rosel’s unique point of difference is to produce eco-fiber based knitwear only, and to develop new, effortless and unique designs based on modern knit technology using innovative sustainable materials.
Visit Juliane Camposano’s website Roselwear.com to learn more about her exciting new line; and for up-to-the-minute fashion commentary follower her on Twitter: @roselwear
