It’s the quiet ones you have to watch. As Astrid Brucker worked steadily towards her goal of fashion design, she took a few detours into styling and costume design.
Working on movies, TV shows, and commercials, Brucker enhanced her eye for shape and form, and she started her own line in 2008.
Her first collection appeared in WWD, since she was prominently featured in the Supima Premium Fabrics fashion show.
I had been sewing and sketching for a long time, designing everything from wedding gowns and sportswear to textile designs. I’m inspired by New York City, and designing costumes taught me a lot about cultures, time periods, silhouettes, and fit.
tFS: And now you also have shawls, handbags, and jewelry. How much are the accessories influenced by the clothing line?
AB: The accessories are influenced by the style lines in the clothes, such as the triangle bag, which perfectly complements the cowl neck dress with the diamond-shaped insets.
The circle bag is a great shape for all seasons, and works with the whole collection. My circular shawl shape was inspired by my idea of a cover-up for my dresses, not having to wear a cumbersome coat for fall.
I just recently started making modernist necklaces out of plastic soda can rings.
tFS: What do you have planned for Fashion Week? Will you be showing?
AB: I have a number of showroom appointments but I will not be having a show under the big tent.
tFS: What direction do you see the Spring/Summer 2011 line taking? Do you have any particular inspirations for the coming season?
AB: My inspiration comes from the seaside. There will be more blues and more lightweight, innovative fabrics – like an optic jean effect that looks like a cross between denim and cotton but has much more drape and fluidity. I definitely have a more relaxed, bohemian approach for Spring 2011.
All photographs courtesy of Astrid Brucker. Learn more at www.astridbrucker.com and www.astridland.com.
