Today for you, my dear readers, I have an interview that I'm really excited to share with you. You might remember Sarah of
Ohh Lulu Lingerie and Apparel from our
Ooh La La Pin-Up Sew-Along. Sarah is the most talented lingerie seamstress I've ever come across and I hope you'll take this chance to get to know her a bit better as I have so enjoyed doing.
~For those of you don't have time to read the whole article right now, be sure to check out
her shop. She's having a sale to get ready for the holidays! Use Coupon Code Spooktacular2012 and receive 15% off all made to order lingerie.~
Sarah, for those of us who aren't familiar, how did Ohhh Lulu get started?
I started Ohhh Lulu in 2010. I had just moved
away from Toronto to a small town in southern Ontario to start a life
with (my now) husband. Moving up north was a big change. Unfortunately
when I moved up here, I realized I wasn't going to have the same career
opportunities I had in the city. After working for years in the
interior decorating and textile business, my new job as "front desk
girl" at a local mechanics shop was not at all what I was used to. It
was incredibly boring, and I really started slipping into a slump. I
decided that if I couldn't find work I enjoyed, I would make work I
enjoyed, and finally put my Fashion Design Diploma to work! I designed a
few pieces, listed them on Etsy and quickly became obsessed!
Where did the name Ohhh Lulu come from?
Ohhh
Lulu started out as the name for
my blog. One of my childhood
nicknames that has stuck around with me throughout my life is Lulu.
When I was trying to figure out the name of my blog, Dan came up with
the name Ohhh Lulu... I loved it the minute I heard it!
You and I are both lucky enough to have really supportive husbands.
What is the most encouraging advice Dan has ever given you?
Where do I start? Dan encouraged
me to start designing, after I had hid my sewing machine away for about a
year, he's been there to celebrate my successes, and a shoulder to cry
on when things don't go as planned. Most of all, he's been absolutely
unwavering in his confidence in me. Most recently, he's encouraged me to
take time off work to focus on Ohhh Lulu, which I couldn't have done
without his support.
You recently gave notice at your day job so you could pursue Ohhh Lulu full time. What did that feel like?
Exciting
and terrifying! I've been wanting to take my business full time for a
while now, but the thought of not having a dependable pay check every
two weeks is really scary. I am absolutely thrilled at the idea of
being able to focus solely on my business, but the thought of not having that dependable pay check is still frightening.
What is it that you think sets Ohhh Lulu apart from other lingerie lines?
I
think a lot of it comes from my fabric choices. I like to use
unexpected fabrics, like masculine plaids, flannels, or woven cotton
prints, which aren't often used in lingerie. I also love to embellish
everything with little bows, rosettes, and ruffles. I think those
handmade details really set me apart.
What is your absolute favorite sewing trick or tool?
I cannot express how much I love my pressing ham! It's an absolute must-have for pressing bra cups and hip seams.
A lot of us multitask while we sew; I like to drink tea like it's
going out of style and listen to old episodes of Grey's Anatomy. What is
your favorite thing to do while you're sewing?
I always have some kind of
documentary playing in the background while I sew. I'm a big history
geek, but I also have a soft spot for Bigfoot and UFO documentaries.
Documentaries & herbal tea - that's what gets me through the day!
If you could sum up your brand in 2 words, what would they be?
Romantic & Eclectic
I'm really crazy about your lumberjack panties design and in fact, just bought a pair. What inspired you to design them?
The lumberjack panties are
one of my favourite designs. I was inspired first by the fabric - I
love traditional prints, and I love the idea of using a masculine plaid
on a such a feminine piece of clothing. I also like to spend a lot of
time outdoors, camping, hiking, so I wanted to design an undergarment
that was sexy, but warm and comfortable - perfect for snuggling under a
sleeping bag.
~I agree, there's nothing better than a little touch of feminine and sexy when you're off on a long camping trip. I'm about to be dragged go for a rather long, cold several day hike and a pair of comfy yet girly panties for the trip is a bit soothing.
A huge thanks to Sarah for taking the time to answer all of my questions. I'm sure I speak for all of my readers when I say that we're excited for you taking the plunge into pursuing your business full time, and even a little bit inspired ourselves!
