Katsai by Bonnie

Bonnie, Barcelona, Spain Brand: Katsai Blogs: katsai.blogspot.com Shop: katsai.etsy.com

I'm so happy to feature Bonnie of Katsai, I can't even tell you how many times I check her shop to see whether or not she's updated it with more of my favorite tops. I currently have my eye on her Militario tops...

What is your design philosophy?
Starting with a toughie, eh?! I guess I'd have to say to make original, flattering and easy to wear pieces that enhance a woman's beauty in a comfortable and practical way.
I also try to keep my creations affordable, so that an often unique, handmade Katsai original can be a possible alternative to the mass-produced high street designs we all have in our wardrobes.




How long have you been doing this and how did it all begin?
I started on Etsy at the end of the summer of 2006, but have been making clothes for myself and friends for a lot longer. I'd sewn a bit when really young, on my Mum's machine -including through my finger - but then it wasn't until some 6 or 7 years ago that I got my own machine. Much trial and error at the beginning, and then things started to drop into place when I took a fulltime seamstress and pattern drafting course. This was when I became really hooked!

“I'm not into self-torture... I haven't even managed to successfully conquer wearing high-heels yet! But then comfortable doesn't have to mean boring, does it?”

>> continue reading Bonnie's interview

Are you a slave to fashion? A shopaholic? Or do you prefer to focus on designing and creating for others?
I wouldn't call myself a slave to fashion at all, as I don't really follow the trends... sometimes they coincide with my likes, but usually I don't tend to pay much attention. As you say, I prefer to focus on my own designs and stay true to what I like rather than what is preached on the catwalks or the fashion mags. As for shopaholic, well, maybe just a little bit... but in the fabric stores!

How would you describe your personal style?
Above all comfort. I'm not into self-torture... I haven't even managed to successfully conquer wearing high-heels yet! But then comfortable doesn't have to mean boring, does it? I like to wear -and make- clothes that are feminine, without being too "girly", and that I feel flatter my figure.

“I fill notebooks in no time. Many of the ideas are discarded, or left for further thought, but just once in a while one of my messy sketches will spark something that gets me dreaming of the perfect fabric to make it a reality.”

How do you come up with your designs?
I'm in constant company of a little notebook to sketch down ideas as they come to me. I fill notebooks in no time. Many of the ideas are discarded, or left for further thought, but just once in a while one of my messy sketches will spark something that gets me dreaming of the perfect fabric to make it a reality. This is what happened with my "Shirt-skirt" design. Practically as soon as I'd finished doodling the initial idea I just had to rush off and try a make-shift mock-up out of what I could find at the time (a scrap of fabric roughly cut and draped around an empty cardboard toilet roll) to see if I liked where the idea could go. Then I get to work on drafting the pattern and putting together the first fabric test drives...

Do you do this full-time? If not, what pays the bills?
The bills get covered thanks to my wonderful Katsai customers, and my part-time job working for a non-profit association that fights for the rights and needs of local arts sector professionals.

What sewing machine do you use?
I have a trusty singer and a domestic serger. I did have an industrial sewing machine until the recent house move, as there was just no way I could get that huge bench to fit into my new studio space (... or the heavy metal base up the four flights of winding stairs that lead to my apartment). It really was a sad casualty for me in the move, but in general I like to think I've gained a superb workspace that compensates the loss.

Can you share some of your favorite sources for fabrics/notions?
I usually pick-up notions at a local haberdashery, but finding a good selection of fabrics is more of a headache. The choice of fabrics to be found in even the largest fabric stores here in the city (Barcelona) is limited to say the least. And then couple that with the fact that many of the wholesale textile speacilists, that are outside of the city, refuse to sell in the smaller quantities that a simple setup such as my own could use or afford. I fantasize about some of the fabric paradises I read about in other countries .... but then given my slight fabric-obsession, maybe its a good thing they're not within my reach!

What can we expect to see from you in the future?
More! More designs, more sizes, more fabric combinations and colours...

Thanks Bonnie!

Audrey Hepburn photo from radzi.info