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As people in creative fields, many of us can look back and see how our activities and interests as a child led to the work we do today. We may have grown up and grown out of clothes along the way, but some things never change. Creativity and other values that are important to us show up in our adult life through our fashion businesses.
This is certainly true for today’s guest Bergen Anderson. Her brand, Lilla Barn, makes colorful and sustainable clothes for kids and grownups alike.
As a lifelong sewist, Bergen Anderson started Lilla Barn in order to make colorful, genderless, sustainable, baby clothes that stand out in a world of pinks and blues. In the last 12 years, she has grown her brand to include grown-up clothes, accessories, and homegoods including a storefront/studio in Andersonville, Illinois.
Inspired by visual artists who play with color and texture, her work is intended to bring joy, creativity, and individuality into everyday life. Bergen enjoys exploring the overlaps between traditional craft ("women's work"), modern textiles, and functional fine art. As a slow fashion advocate, she believes the personal is political and that our consumer habits and creating habits should align with our values.
This episode explores: Fitting the customer- Why Bergen designs what she likes even though she is technically no longer her own target customer
- Bergen’s process for patternmaking and sizing and its pros and cons for fit
- The hardest part about hiring a small team for Lilla Barn
- The extent that creative habits are intertwined with personal and business lifestyles
- The projects Bergen wants to take on in her business once she has a bigger team
- How opening a retail space changed Lilla Barn’s business model
- How to communicate brand values in a way that is meaningful and relevant even as the broader culture changes around us
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