Alysha Kupferer
Base14 Part 2
Homepage: http://base14.com/blog/archives/category/fashion
Feature By: Lauren Kastner
Whether it's music, clothing, photography, or technology, Alysha Kupferer has chosen to be constantly surrounded by good design. As a Columbus native via Savannah, Georgia, Alysha and her brother Tyler run a highly collaborative brainchild of a website, Base14.
Alysha’s work in fashion, art and photography reflects the perfect compliment of concept and the concrete, right and left brain, instinct and cognition. Although having already entered the professional world of apparel design and the fine arts, Alysha has remained steeped in the passions of the vibrant youth culture she developed in Columbus. Toes dipped in all areas of art and design, Alysha is entering the most ambitious and inspired design project yet: her future.
“Constantly pushing yourself outside of your own comfort zone and pushing to limits of what others expect is what will set you apart and give you the most self-fulfillment.”
INTERVIEW:
C-buz: When did you first get into fashion design? What sparked your interest?
Alysha Kupferer: Like a lot of girls, I used to sketch clothes when I was young. It was something I did for fun, but I never considered it anything more than childish dreaming. But then in high school as I was considering careers I came to a sudden realization that Apparel Design is a real career. And even though I was starting to wrap my brain around the idea of myself as a designer, I told people that I would probably go into graphic design or photography. Then one evening my junior year, my mom said, “It’s about time that you look at colleges. What majors should we look into.” For the first time ever I vocalized my feelings and told my parents that I wanted to go into fashion design. From there, I had to hold fast to my decision as I encountered people who tried to advise me against it. But I am so lucky that I have my parents’ full support. They never once tried to talk me out of it, even though they still joke about how I could have been an astronaut.
CB: What is the thought process you go through when designing clothes or textiles?
AK: Often I am inspired by objects, music, art or historical clothing. I start with researching the inspiration and then make sketches until I am completely out of ideas. (I usually fill up three full-size sketchbooks every year.) From there, I will make finalized illustrations with correct proportions and color. Then it’s on to patterning and design tweaking. But I must also admit that sometimes I just experiment and come up with new things, or sometimes concepts will just come to me. It’s not always a thoughtful process. I’ve learned to go with my gut instinct and silence my left brain when appropriate. (This can be hard in my field; especially when you’re staring at a dress you’ve made and decide to take two feet off the hem. You’ve really got to trust yourself when you pick up those scissors and start cutting.)
CB: In one of your blog entries, you mentioned you were inspired in a dream for a design. Does that happen often?
AK: Yes. I try to keep a sketchbook within reach of my bed at all
times. Unfortunately, when I look at my sketches and notes later, few
will make sense.
CB: Who are some of your favorite designers?
AK: Of the big designers, I like Marc Jacobs and Fendi.
But my aesthetic is much more casual than that of the big design houses, so I really admire the retailers Urban Outfitters, Fossil, Anthropologie, Banana Republic and Free People.
CB: How do you go about promoting your own artwork?
AK: The website has been a huge help because it makes promotion a lot easier. When people ask me about what I’ve been working on I can simply tell them to go to the Base14 website. I also try to get my work into the public eye because word of mouth only gets so far. My work in fine arts has been in gallery displays at Purdue and I am working on an upcoming exhibit for the fall. As far as my apparel goes, I try to get into as many fashion shows as possible. I have been trying to find an appropriate venue for selling my items, but as of now I have been doing everything through our website.
CB: Robots. Ninjas. Pirates. Zombies. Rank them in your favorite order.
AK: Robots, Pirates, Ninjas, Zombies (That is the best question I have ever been asked.)
CB: Did you have an artistic or graphical community while you were in Columbus?
AK: I think I owe a lot to Columbus North Publications. Having a firm background in graphic design really helps me when working in apparel and fine arts. I also have a leg up when it comes to Adobe programs and computer based design. As a student at North I had incredible teachers and resources available to me and I know that it has helped shape the talents I have now.
CB: How can Columbus be more supporting of local talent and art?
AK: I feel that we need to have more gallery space available. There is a lot of local art talent (young and old) and it deserves to be showcased. I also think we can do more to encourage local music. A weekend event of free music acts downtown would be great, or even just having a consistent time and place so that people know where to go to see local acts. I believe that there is local talent and there is an appetite to see local work. We just need to find a way to get the two together.
CB: Where do you see yourselves ten years from now? How about fifty?
AK: Hopefully as my life pans out I will be able to watch my brand grow. I don’t expect this brand to be a huge deal, but my goal is to give people another reason to enjoy their lives. I truly love what I do, which is why I work hard at it every single day. I expect this passion will stay with me as I age, allowing me to achieve my goals. But I am also realistic enough to have already realized that life never goes as planned, and I am excited to see what surprising things will come in my future.
CB: What advice do you have for young aspiring artists or musicians in Columbus?
AK: Never be ashamed of being from Columbus. Sometimes people will try to make you feel like you don’t have as much potential because you aren’t from a big city or a coast. But being from middle-America allows you to really understand a huge market segment. Hold on to your roots and your values and let them guide your creative inspirations. Embracing every part of yourself and your past will accelerate your progress towards finding your unique style. Also, while in Columbus don’t be afraid to seek out all possible resources. Columbus is full of interesting, knowledgeable people who want to help others succeed. Find these people and utilize their strengths.
CB: If you could go back ten years and tell yourself something, what would you say?
AK: You lucky duck, you’re in for one hell of a ride.