Maintaining Creative Habits and Values As the World Changes with Bergen Anderson of Lilla Barn
How Fitting: design a slow fashion business that fitsShow Notes
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
Fitting the lifestyle
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
Fitting the values
How to communicate brand values in a way that is meaningful and relevant even as the broader culture changes around us
People and resources mentioned in this episode:
Lilla Barn website
Lilla Barn email
Lilla Barn Instagram
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