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Interview with Melissa Taylor of

Katastrophic Designs

You’ve lived in the Ukraine and Germany and you’ve studied everything from glassblowing, and book-binding to doll making. What was your inspiration behind starting an eco-friendly, locally sourced fashion brand?

There are a couple pieces to this answer. First, I love so many different art forms, and in school I had trouble picking one medium or art form to focus on. I eventually realized Fashion Design is an art form that I love so much that I am willing to choose it over anything else. I love that fashion design has the ability to be both pracitical/functional and also conceptual. I have a strong desire to create things that are useful to people in their everyday lives, but as an artist I have a need to express my thoughts and ideas about the world conceptually in my work.

As far as the eco-friendly, local aspect of what I do- I believe living in Germany is probably where I started being more environmentally conscious, since it's such an important value in the German culture. I also feel that people should take responsibility for the things they use in their life- but a lot of the clothing products we buy are made far away under circumstances that we typically remain completeley unaware of, and unfortunately those circumstances are often dismal, if not completely unethical as far as working conditions and appropriate living wages. (Remember the factory collapse in Bangladesh not long ago?) I don't necessarily think that overseas labor is in in itself a bad or unethical thing, but I think purchasing products made locally (or even domestically) is a way to really know the cost and ethics of what you are buying.

Most of the materials used in production of your collections are sourced in Austin, TX. How do you decide what mills and suppliers to source your materials from?

The cotton I use is actually grown in Texas, though it is milled in North Carolina. I use this particular fabric because there are not too many options as far as domestically grown and manufactured organic cotton. Buying cotton grown in Texas is about as local as I can get, and this particular supplier makes beautiful quality fabric and also cares deeply about enviromental responsibility. They are also very easy to work with- friendly, communicative, and helpful. Those are all rare things to find in a supplier! They also are happy to work with small design businesses like my own, unlike some very large scale suppliers who have minimums that are completely unrealistic for smaller brands.

© Both Photos Submitted by Melissa Taylor

Austin is an incredibly cultured and creative city, how has the community helped you in developing your brand?

In general, Austin is a place where I feel completely comfortable and at home as a creative person. My favorite thing about Austin is that there are so many one of a kind, local creative businesses here that are completely unique and beautifully designed. My favorite newer business is Figure 8 Coffee Purveyors, a little coffee shop with the most beautiful, inspiring, industrial minimalist interior design. I love sitting in there and just being inspired by the environment. They also do make the best cappuccino in town!

As a teacher of Pattern Development and Fashion Illustration at Austin School of Fashion Design, what do you find is the most important lesson you can teach your students on sustainability in the fashion industry?

Don't be overwhelmed and give up. There isn't a perfect way to make completely sustainable fashion, and trying to fix every problem is just going to burn you out. The important thing is to keep being mindful, and keep trying to make one more piece of what you are doing more ethical, or more sustainable. Do however much you can, even if it's not perfect. If a lot of people make just a couple small changes for the better, the impact is huge.