Developing a taste for craft work (part 8 in our series)

As children, we are exposed to so many styles, hobbies and creative pursuits. I remember well feeling rather uncomfortable in ballet class but loving baseball, enjoying cooking but having zero interest (at the time) in my mother's sewing... and falling in love with pottery. What sticks? How does it stick? For Isabel, the French fashion designer behind isabelamyo, her own creative inspiration is something she will never forget. For her, she says, it developed over time.

Thank you, Isabel, for sharing your story with us in this, the 8th part of our series on the roots of design.

"Of course my mother sewed me clothing that I thought was "more or less successful" I confess, but I learned I wanted to make myself my clothes following my own desires. It was at that moment that I realized that I loved doing things with my hands."

Isabel's story continues. "It isn't very original, but I soon dressed all of my friends who came to see me. And in my bedroom with my sew machine and my my fabrics, my threads and my needles we worked together on the realization of some idea of clothing. It was great... there was always excitement that led us up to the culmination of a creation."

(photo above, and all that follow, from isabelamyo)

 "There was also my sister's dolls that I dressed as well. I loved turning a shapeless cloth into something built by practice. And one day I learned I had a neighbor who taught a lot of handwork to children. I went to see her she gives me some tips to improve, and I thank her again because I really improved my technique with this kind neighbor."

"I think that's what gave me the taste of craft work, work done with care, generosity and quality, thanks to the techniques I learned in my youth. They still serve me today."