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 avant garde independent designer Desira Pesta. Her dreamlike Spring 2008 collection is full of ruffles and perfect tailoring and is inspired by the circus, Iceland, and Film Noir.



Tell us a little about yourself and your work. I am Desira Pesta and grew up with a menagerie of interests in the woods of Pennsylvania. I received my BFA in Painting and Interior Architecture from Syracuse University and printmaking training from a tiny studio in Italy and have a well-rounded repertoire of life experiences. I've held a variety of odd jobs including being a personal chef, wedding coordinating, shepherding, jewelry restoration for Alexander Calder's work, housing construction, and gelato serving. Since its birth in 2004, my company has blossomed into an entirely handmade women's and men's couture, custom, and ready-to-wear wearable art one-woman factory in Brooklyn New York. I do a lot of small run and one of a kinds that are odes to vintage and conceptual fashion history with a large reliance on the desire to conserve materials. I use a lot of vintage fabric yardage and upcycled materials, as well as hand-drawn silkscreened prints. I use a lot of natural fabrics and have a love for quality, interesting lines, flattering cuts, true craftswomanship and color.

How did you get started as a designer? Being a tom boy who was obsessed with architecture and fashion magazines, I have been dabbling in fashion ever since I spied clothing I couldn't afford, yet knew I could make. The inception of my clothing company was in 2004 on my twenty-third birthday when I brought a box of freshly made five color print silkscreened t-shirts into a tiny boutique in Florence, Italy called Open. With meager Italian, I convinced them to start selling my painterly t-shirts and they obliged. After returning from Italy after a six month stay, I became obsessed with silkscreening and sewing, had a fashion show and garnered selling spots in eleven U.S., Italian, and Canadian boutiques.

Any advice you would give to aspiring designers? Make as many contacts as you can and always ask for advice when you can. Don't ever think you know what you're doing without some assistance and guidance, there's too much to know. Keep pushing yourself despite any hardships, and really know your craft and perfect it. Never stop experimenting with new things. When it comes to what you do, become an expert. Never spread yourself too thin, and always charge a fair price for your work.

What inspires your work? Sculpture, architecture, painting, historical fashion, art history, the work of my peers, and the desire to abstain from having a 9-5 job, so I push and push myself to keep going.

Who are your favorite designers? I love Es Orchestres, Balenciaga, Chris Benz, Rebecca Turbow, Wooden Mustache, Ohne Titel, Roberto Robledo, and Charles & Ray Eames.

What are your top fashion & beauty must-haves? I have been obsessed with vintage clothing since a young child. Fashion must-haves are great well-fitting vintage blouses, dresses, coats, and shoes. Always mindful of good skincare, I only use the best moisturizers from Kiehl's and Bigelow Pharmacy, as well as mascara and red lipstick almost every day. I should have grown up in the 1960's.

Where can people find your work? My main online shop is my Etsy shop, which is desirapesta.etsy.com. I also have a men's Etsy shop at ersatz.etsy.com. Brick and mortar stores include Love Brigade Co Op and Sodafine, which are both in Brooklyn, NY, Feel Design in Beacon, New York, and Needles and Pens in San Francisco. I also sell on cutxpaste.com from time to time.

Anything else? I love what I do and can't wait to see what's to come in the future. My goal is to provide costume and wardrobe for film.