Working with FABULOUS local Memphis designers is one of my favorite parts about being a fashion stylist and blogger. Susan Ambrose is by far the most fabulous fashion designer I have met to date. Check out her unique pieces made from authentic tire, feathers, and hair!
ME:
How did you get into designing?
SUSAN:
I had a chance meeting with a local designer / artist Paul Thomas at a garage sale I was having at my home. He noticed I had an eye for decorating and convinced me to enter a local Trashion show. I mentioned that I really did not sew and had no experience in fashion design but he still encouraged me. He saw something in me that I did not see in myself. I entered and took second place with my 'bird seed sack' dress. I am grateful for his encouragement because in a million years I never would have imagined I would one day be designing fashions let alone sewing.
ME:
What sparks your interest in tires?
SUSAN:
I like to bike and had a lot of old inner tube lying around the garage. I used these to make a sports bra top which I hand riveted to the bird seed sack for the trashion show. I figured I'd keep going and make a dress for myself to wear to the event. It turned out so well that Paul Thomas noted that I was onto something. His advice from then on was..stay in your lane. This is something you do well and no one else was doing. So for now I'm focused and continue to work with the goal of making something beautiful and elegant to wear out of the inner tubes. There's not much out there as far as wearable rubber clothing. I see it as a real challenge. I have to make my own fabric out of tubes first, then I can start draping a pattern from it.
ME:
What is the inspiration behind your designs?
SUSAN:
My first designs where inspired by birds. My 93 year old neighbor loves to feed the birds. Her old sack was the trash which I used initially for my trashion design. I kind of stuck with the bird theme from there and used my dads birding books to choose which birds inspired my dress designs, which I then created for Memphis Fashion Week 2016. I also always find feathers on the ground when walking my dog. I collect every feather and place it on a cupboard in my studio as inspiration. One day I found 9, so I had to look up the significance of finding bird feathers. I learned that they signify creativity gifts from the heavens. Feeling like it would be bad luck to change that now.
ME:
Have you been designing your whole life?
SUSAN:
This is my first experience designing fashions and sewing. Last time I had sewn anything was 7 th grade and that didn't turn out so well. I guess my best creative efforts before that where in the food business. I used to do catering and parties for my friends. I would say I'm a closet Martha Stuart. I have an attic full of things I like to use for party decorating and serving items. I enjoy decorating my home also. My husband says I'm always painting and changing the wall colors in the house. At least I don't move the furniture around every week like my girlfriend.
ME:
What college do you salute to as your Alma Mater?
SUSAN:
I graduated from University of Memphis with a Bachelors of Arts and Science. I majored in Biology, minored in Chemistry.
ME:
What is your favorite quote?
SUSAN:
"We must not be afraid of dreaming the seemingly impossible if we want the seemingly impossible to become a reality". -Vaclav Havel. I'll send a photo. I love the butterfly waiting for the block of ice to melt to get to the flower inside. I look at it every day.
ME:
Where do you see yourself in 5 years?
SUSAN:
Wow. I hope that I'm seen as a successful brand artist and designer who has the luxury of creating without pressure and deadlines. I look forward to improving my seamstress skills providing a unique quality product. I really enjoy collaborating and being around creative people. It's exciting to work on a project for an editorial with hair, makeup and photographer. And of course I think all designers aspire to host a fabulous runway event. Fashion is so fun and exciting. I'm having a great time with my creations!
ME:
Do you have a brand name for your awesome pieces?
SUSAN:
Siss Viss. That's what my grandmother called me. Her picture is on my business card.
SUSAN AMBROSE - SISS VISS Designer
Want one of your very own Siss Viss pieces?
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