Haute Fashion Exclusive Interview with Designer Erin Fetherston

Local girl, Erin Fetherston, who was born and raised in Piedmont and graduated from UC Berkley, recently returned to her roots for a showing of her spring/summer 2012 Erin by Erin Fetherston line at the Neiman Marcus in Walnut Creek.   She honed her skills at Parsons in Paris for 5 years and then launched her namesake line Erin Fetherston in Paris but moved to New York in 2007, where she currently resides.  In between brunch bites and champagne, Haute Living caught a moment with Erin to talk about her inspirations this spring, her can’t live withouts and her incredible signature hair.

HL: There’s definitely a butterfly motif in your Erin spring line.  Where did that come from?

EF: Going into designing spring, I wanted to capture the energy of the 60s, the pop culture of the 60s.  I came across a photo of Mia Farrow at a Truman Capote black and white ball.   She was wearing this butterfly mask and had on this great shift dress.  I loved how modern this looked, it could have been Michelle Williams going to a movie premier.

HL: There was definitely this easy feel to the collection.  You design with the hip girl in mind.  And of course this girl would go to Coachella.  What would you pick out for her to wear in Palm Springs?

EF: This butterfly dress.  It has this walk in the park easiness with its shirt tail hem and looks cute with flip flops or boots.

HL: Three adjectives to describe your spring collection?

EF: Vibrant, flirty and chic.

HL: Tell us a guilty indulgence you have – or something you can’t live without.

EF: My dogs!  I have two white fluffy dogs, one is a Bijon Maltese and the other is a Chinese Crested.  Their names are Koala and Tulipan.

HL: Do you ever dress them up?

EF: I don’t believe in putting dogs in weird human clothes but they have really chic winter coats that I got from a horse and saddle company.  I did try it when I first got them, but then I felt like it embarrassed them.    But they do like fashion!  When I bring them with me to my studio, I feel like they’ll talk to me and go and sit by things they like.

HL: You’ve studied in Paris and work in New York.  Why don’t you tell us 3 designers, past or present, who inspire you?

EF: Christian LaCroix for his creativity and craftsmanship.  Chanel for her vision.  And current counterparts like Tory Burch or Diane VonFustenberg for their embodiment of a brand, a lifestyle.

HL: And now the most important question.  You have incredible platinum blonde hair and this signature bob.  Who’s your stylist!?

EF: Edward Tricomi in New York.  He’s a genius.

For more of Erin’s SS 2012 collection head over to Neiman Marcus Walnut Creek or purchase items online here.

Photography credit:  Drew Altizer
Location:  Neiman Marcus Walnut Creek
Date:  March 28, 2012