looking. I love novelty prints, but I sold off most of mine, apart from a few crazy rare ones like a tarot card reading one I have. I get vintage pieces mostly to understand the structure and design of them, and how I could possibly incorporate the elements into modern design. These vintage designers were masters and their pieces were couture back then and couture now, so some things are impossible for me to do. You are a designer, model, makeup artist, businesswoman, collaborator, campaigner and all-round boss lady - I feel exhausted just thinking how busy you must be! What keeps you motivated when things get crazy, and how do you like to relax and recharge? I honestly look at someone like The Rock and I think, I GOT THIS. He literally does everything, while being kind, charming and amazing. I need him to do a TED talk, even just for myself. I don’t have kids for one, so that allows TONS more free time - I do have two fur babies but my lovely husband helps me take care of them. I never feel like I am doing enough, I am not painting enough, or sculpting, or writing or working. I think social media has a massive part in me feeling guilty about taking a night off or lying on the couch for the day. I have to take breaks because I have to remember I am one person doing 10 things, not 10 people doing one thing constantly. I just keep lighting the fire under my own ass every day. I take small breaks when I run myself like a machine, I try and take weekend getaways with my husband, or girl dates with friends to recharge and get that human connection I often miss out on when I am tied to my computer or art desk. I just try and keep telling myself I got to hustle hard so that I can reach a certain goal, and I am not going to stop until I do. As they say, I will sleep when I am dead. What can we expect from the Vixen brand in the next 12-18 months - do you have any aspirations, goals or potential new collaborations you could tell us about? I wish I could but sadly I have to keep everything we do under lock and key when it comes to designs and collaborations. My goals are to keep our momentum, while making people look and feel amazing in the things we create. I love seeing people happy, and if I make something that does that for them, then I feel like my life has a purpose. The concept of sustainability is at the forefront of fashion right now – what are your thoughts on sustainable fashion? Do you think it’s realistic for a small fashion business to operate sustainably?
I think the core to this movement is to make clothing that will not fall apart. Fast fashion is not about quality, it is about a quick buck. We do our absolute best to make the highest quality items as we can that will withstand for the long run. I think the brands causing the most damage are much larger companies who are constantly turning out poor quality products. The amount of fashion waste created by this is awful, but there are also companies taking these items and shredding them and cutting them apart to make new items. We make as many textiles as we can locally in America and almost all of our fabrics are printed here. The facilities we use to sew our goods are paid a living wage and our overseas facilities do the same. We hold everything in such high standards as we must be responsible. I think most indie brands actually operate like this, and work really hard to make really high-quality, well-made items. Do you have any advice or tips for women wanting to start their own creative small business, but haven’t yet found the confidence to take the plunge? Save all your pennies, because you won’t be able to pay yourself for a while, you may not be in the green for a year or two. If you have to have a full time or part time job to support your dream, DO IT! It will be worth it. Be prepared to work, a lot, and not have any days off. Life is about taking chances, so I feel like if you don’t try, not trying could haunt you for the rest of your life. How can readers outside the US get their hands on Vixen by Micheline Pitt designs? Well I have a few fabulous flagship shops like Deadly is the Female, Natasha Marie and Lana Rose who carry almost the entire line. We have a handful of other shops globally as well, like Top Vintage, and Rowena who also carry many of our classic pieces. We are always open to getting new accounts across the globe; we try and solely focus on having shops who have store fronts these days as we have so many strong amazing online shops like Unique Vintage, and of course our own site. Follow your dreams, no matter the sacrifice, or hellfire because happiness could be waiting for you. ♦ @michelinepitt @vixen_by_micheline_pitt @la_femme_en_noir_ Main photo by: @susieq
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