Designer Insider - Shannon Yarbrough

Designer Insider - Shannon Yarbrough of Sophie Grace
Louisiana native Shannon Yarbrough has always had a creative outlet. In the past she's done acrylic painting, and she practiced makeup artistry right college. After several years doing one-of-a-kind "gala couture" in Austin, Yarbrough has created Sophie Grace, a fashion line set to debut in spring 2008. This fall she goes to market to find buyers for her collection of upscale, eco-friendly dresses and leisurewear. The line may not have officially launched, but it's already gotten some celeb press - Chinese star Bai Ling wore the Sophie Grace trench dress at the Cannes Film Festival earlier this year. We predict many more style-mag moments to come.

When is the line is set to debut?
Spring 2008. We had a soft launch last fall. I wanted to find out what our production capability would be in Texas. But with the orders being what they are, it became difficult to do that kind of volume here. We are now produced in New York.

Is this your first time designing a collection?
Yes. I started the company in 2005 and began doing all of our sourcing and all of the research to get to the point where we are today.

How many collections per year will you create?
Resort, Spring and Fall.

Is it just you doing this?
No, I have a wonderful sample maker, a fantastic pattern maker and an intern from UT who's an amazing help.

Who are your fashion designer inspirations?
Gosh, there's so many. Roberto Cavalli. Pucci.

What is the price point on the line?
For the luxury leisurewear, right around $400. The dress collection starts right around $750.

Tell me about the eco-friendly aspects of your clothing.
We use soy and Modal (a textile made from spun Beechwood cellulose) and their blends. They're very durable. They take less water than some of the other materials to create. All of our things have a bit of spandex so they wear longer. We know where all of our fabric comes from - it's all sustainable.

How did you get inspired to take that approach?
At first I chose the Modal for its handle. It feels so soft against the skin - it's a luxury fabric. Because I have worked for so many years out of my home, I live in leisurewear. These pieces were stretching out, so that's why I chose modal with spandex. I started to learn more about it and more about bamboo.

And it fits in nicely with the green explosion we're in the midst of.
I was doing it before other people were. I started in 2005. It's been a rapidly growing trend. People are starting to learn more and more about what that means. But it also has to be something structural and that looks great on. Our pieces (the leisurewear) can be machine-washed.

Do you have a favorite piece or two from this first collection?
Every time one comes along I think it's my favorite. I like the swimsuit cover. We're doing more in this fabric - it's a silk charmeuse.

Who do you see as the Sophie Grace customer?
She's between 27 and 55. Someone that wants something that is different. I don't think our customer wants to blend in. She has her own personal style. We really do have pieces that are outside of the norm - especially the fabrics or prints are really unique. I think it's the little details, too. The oversized hoodie (on the tracksuit jacket). It has seams in the middle that are gathered. It's got four pockets on the pants and a back triangle pocket with a Swarovski crystal.

Where does the name Sophie Grace come from?
One of the things about Sophie Grace is that I wouldn't really categorize it. Sophie is very sophisticated and elegant and Grace is the more funky-edgy side. Whereas the trench dress is a more soft style. They are my alter egos. How I dress for the day is how I feel.

Designer page http://www.mysophiegrace.com.

(editorial by Jenny Miller)

designer insider
posted - beth / 10:51 AM / 08.24.07