What do you feel most hopeful and most frustrated about as a young designer?
I feel hopeful that I may one day change the things that I see wrong with the industry and make them right. There is a very small amount of designers that I can look up to and I would love to be able to be one of them for the next generation of designers.

The most frustrating thing about being a young designer is being pressured into putting your morals and ethics to the side in order to make an extra dollar at the expense of other people or the environment we all live in.

Who are your favorite eco and non-eco designers?
I feel bad for not being able to answer this one fully. I don't really follow the designers, models and industry VIPs of eco and/or non-eco designers. I was never interested in that aspect of the industry. For me it has always been about clothing that has a strong design, great cut, superb fit and impeccable craftsmanship. I think that CLOAK would be a good example of a designer that embodies this description

What was the best part of showing at the Ethical Fashion Show?
The best part of showing at the Ethical Fashion Show was being able to meet other designers that are actually making their goals happen in addition to being a part of a new revolution in the way everyone will view fashion. When I first started to learn about ethical/sustainable fashion, I thought that I would be alone in an uphill battle. After meeting all of the great designers that were doing what I wanted to do I felt a sense of relief followed by a sense of "no more excuses… get out there and get started."

How do you feel about fur?
I feel that fur on an animal is beautiful and mesmerizing. When I see it on a human, I find it socially irresponsible, distasteful and flat out wrong. There is no need whatsoever for fur in the modern world. There is no excuse for it either.

My boss started to use fur in his line even though I told him many times of my stance on the issue. After this I sent him an e-mail asking him to rethink his decision and to research the topic.

I told him to go to furisdead.com and look at the videos and that if he didn't see a problem with it to go ahead with the fur idea. But I refused to be a part of it in any way shape or form. I would not pick up production, give input on the designs or sell the product in the store. I was ready to train someone to replace me.

After I returned from the Ethical Fashion Show he took me out to lunch and told me that he would no longer design with fur. It felt good to know that I got him to stop but I wonder if he would go back to using fur if I was to leave.

A recent post about re-purposed fur accessories generated a lot of reader debate. Would you ever re-use long-dead fur?
I would have to say no. I am all about recycling and upcycling but when you reuse fur you are in my mind saying that it is ok to use new fur. How is the consumer to know that the fur they are buying is recycled or just labeled recycled? How are people in the streets to know that the fur you are wearing is recycled? Reusing fur is just as bad as new fur designs for the whole anti-fur movement.

What's next for you?
Besides working at my job as a fashion designer, I am also creating my own Spring 07' line which will be showcased at Satya in Philadelphia. In addition I have partnered up with a close friend Susan Golembiski (who taught me the ropes of the fashion industry at a young age) and opened a store in Reading PA which will consist of young designers, ethical designers, my own sweatshop free clothing, organic and sustainable fashions, art recycled/reworked home furnishings and more. The store is called Frock, and we can be reached at frockonpenn@comcast.net.

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