While designing costumes for feature films and television, designer Astrid Brucker was inspired to strike out on her own and create her own collection of handmade modern dresses, jewelry, gloves, and handbags. We caught up with her to find out more about her label, astridland.

Tell us a little about yourself and your work. I'm a fashion designer with a degree from Parsons School of Design in New York City. Although I worked in the industry I was discouraged by all the copying, so I worked as a costume designer for film and TV for the past several years. I'd always dreamed of starting my own label and I was thrilled to have the chance to list my latest endeavors on Etsy.



How did you get started as a designer? I went to school to study fashion and had numerous internships.

What inspires your work? Nature, my surroundings, the people in New York, and the other cities I have traveled to recently such as Marrakesh, Rome and London.

Who are your favorite designers? Galliano, Peter Som, Gaultier, Mugler ...

What are your top fashion & beauty must-haves? Perfume, boots for walking, and matte powder.

Any advice you would give to aspiring designers? Study and play and design every day.

Where can people find your work? In New York City, I sell my handbags at Debut on Mulberry Street, my clothes at Tahir Boutique at 75 Orchard, Flirt in Park Slope and Subdivision in Long Island City.

Anything else? I have a web site at www.astridland.com that includes my latest collections, stores, and press. On January 14th I did a fashion show at Gotham Hall for Supima Cotton; more information about that is up on my blog at www.astridland.blogspot.com.


We love all of the amazing independent designers out there and we wanted to find out more about what makes these creative types tick. If you do too, check out more of our Indie Designer Interviews.