We love all of the amazing independent designers out there. In order to find out more about just what makes all of these creative types tick, we present to you an ongoing segment called Indie Designer Interviews.

Today's interview is with Anisa Makhoul, a Michigan native who received a BFA from Minneapolis College of Art before moving to Portland, Oregon where she started producing her designs locally and founded Makool Clothing. For the past eight years Makool Clothing has been growing a cult following right at the cutting edge of the fashion scene. Makool has a loyal following online, as well as selling to items wholesale to boutiques.



Tell us a little more about Makool Clothing and how it got its start. Makool Loves You is the independent design emporium that was founded by Anisa Makhoul and Graeme Nelson. We opened Makool Loves You last year creating an online storefront for Makool Clothing, the cutting edge indie-design label conceptualized by artist turned designer Anisa Makhoul. We wanted to create a unique selling platform for Makool customers to purchase hand-selected accessories, jewelry and art, specifically chosen from small design labels, artists, friends and like-minded, artistic individuals in the industry and to showcase emerging fashion talent across the nation.

Makool Loves You celebrates individual craftsmanship and this is reflected by the items available for purchase at the online store that all share a 'handmade at home' feeling. Makool Loves You does not carry mass-produced clothing, art or designs. All items we sell have been made by talented individuals who are paid a fair working wage.

Makool's 'arts and crafts' sensibility is also reflected by my own collections produced under the Makool Clothing label, available at the online store. Makool's collections feature raw-edge pieces, and are created from luxury handmade, unique fabrics such as soy or bamboo and every item by Makool Clothing is a limited edition piece. By limiting each piece in every collection to fifty items per individual design, Makool keeps the lines exclusive and prevents designs becoming over-produced, and we put out new lines every 4 to six months.

Any advice you would give to aspiring designers? Just do it. If you want to have a business or make something, do it, and keep doing it, because eventually you will get good at it.

What inspires your work? Not wearing my glasses! Sometimes I see people on the street and think "Wow! I love their outfit", but then I get closer and realize they looked better from a distance without my glasses on!

Who are your favorite designers? I'm inspired by European labels like Cash Copenehagen, and Heimstone. More importantly my fellow Portland, Oregon designers, lines like Holly Stalder, and Leanimal, no other labels speak to me as much as the here and now of what's going on in Portland.

What are your top fashion & beauty must-haves? Wellies and a vintage bicycle.

Where can people find your work?
www.makoollovesyou.com
Makool.etsy.com
www.cut+paste.com
www.beklina.com
Last Waltz (Seattle)
Seaplane (Portland)
Local 35 (Portland)
Johnny Sole (Portland)
Sirens & Sailors (Echo Park, LA)
Double Dutch (DC)
Cat Bird (NYC)
NY Pull (NYC)
Cliche (Minneapolis)