Reader of the Week: Rachel Doughty

Crafty lady breathes life into children’s clothing line

By Molly Lynch
Published: October 20th, 2008 | 12:34pm

What was the inspiration for your clothing line?

The overwhelming majority of the materials I use in my line are vintage and/or recycled. I've also had a lot of children around me who were really brilliant individuals and it's always been a blast making gifts for them that better reflected their personalities than what I could readily find for them in a store. My thrift store junkie mother (stunningly creative and always a huge influence) quickly started supplying me with awesome vintage embroidered table and bed linens and Everso, my children's clothing line, was pretty much born.

Do you remember the first thing you ever made?

I've been hand-sewing since (or possibly before) I could be trusted with a needle, so as a kid, I'm sure it was some kind of mutant rag doll. The first thing I sewed on a machine and sold was a baby dress made out of a Ramone's T-shirt. It was an experiment, no pattern, random decorative stitching. Our market actually found us before we found them. It was pretty thrilling.

What about living in Chicago influences your designs?

I love the diversity of styles and cultures. Also, I do a lot of walking around the city, and not to be too much of a hippie, but the amount of garbage around makes it really affirming to reuse existing materials in my clothes.

Any female designers you look up to?

Tons, since very early in my childhood (and some from way before my time): Edith Head, Pauline Trigere, Lily Dache, Anne Fogarty, Ray Eames, Mary Quant, Emmanuelle Khanh, Elsa Schiaparelli, Irene Galitzine, Zandra Rhodes, Dorothee Bis, Barbara Hulanicki, Lilly Pulitzer, Betsey Johnson, Sonia Rykiel, Vivienne Westwood, Mary McFadden, Anna Sui, Gemma Kahng, Cynthia Rowley, Stella McCartney.

I have massive love and respect for all the modern crafters who have really set the stage for someone like me to actually thrive in a little cottage business. Ladies like: Jennifer Perkins of Naughty Secretary Club, Alicia Paulson, Emily of Black Apple, Sarah of The Small Object, Faythe of Handmade Nation, Heidi of My Paper Crane, Jenny Ryan of Sew Darn Cute, Felt Club and Craft Magazine.

What tunes are you listening to right now?

I've been Pandora-ing Witchcraft, Raspberries, The Sweet, T. Rex, The Ronettes, The Crystals, The Runaways, Cheap Trick, Alice Cooper, and Wings.

Comments

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eversoclothing (about 1 year)
Thanks so much, Molly! If anyone wants links: www.rachzel.etsy.com www.myspace.com/eversoclothing xo, rachel

luluvoodoo (about 1 year)
couldn't have picked a more kick-ass woman!!!!!

londonhen (about 1 year)
One very cool chick, with so many ideas for kids clothing, she's incredible. Check out her children's clothing line at Rachzel.etsy.com.

nape (about 1 year)
RACH RACH! I loves yous and misses your meeces to pieces!