Finding Independent Designers in Seattle and beyond!

Being interested in supporting independent, sustainable design, I feel very lucky to live in a city like Seattle that's nestled between two mountain ranges-- with the deep waters of Puget Sound at her doorstep. It seems only natural that there's a wealth of independent thinkers here who love to create. With access to a like community, they bring their ideas to action; and create they do. In my own neighborhood of Ballard, there are so many offerings to chose from; especially if you are looking for unique fashion or decor locations. I often shop at Velouria to find clothing and jewelry by Northwest designers who create their pieces from start to finish. This is so refreshing and inspiring! Just look at that pretty picture below:

Velouria Ballard-- Previous Season top by UNA, necklace by Amy Tavern, & the umbrella by Pare Umbrella.   

Additionally, while their Ballard Avenue street location is gone, I can now shop Olivine online and find my favorite comfortable, fashionable & sometime edgy pieces from Prairie Underground. Women can truly wear their items multiple times a week, yet have a different look each time. Better yet, they are washable. That's just what's needed around my household. Probably yours, too!

The Orbit by Prairie Underground, from Olivine Seattle. 

But how do people outside of Seattle find these shops and designers; and how do we find them in other cities or towns?

I'm happy to say that there's a new site called Aprizi that is doing just that. They are dedicated to bringing together independent and emerging designers with people interested in supporting this movement.  To make better sense of it, they are referencing themselves as a "Pandora for shopping." I have just had the pleasure of being their guest curator on their blog. Check out the choices I made, including Seattle's own Amy Bengtson whose earrings I picked. If you're in Seattle, find her pieces at Velouria. If not, they are readily available on the web. Isn't it a great community?

There's a glimpse below at the collection that I pulled for January 11, 2011 on Aprizi's The Tail. These tastemaker choices that they are featuring help us to make connections with independent designers that we might not otherwise know about. Take a peek around their web page and you'll find that it's a lot of fun seeing for yourself what styles are developing out there.  What will you lean towards?

Triangle Print Dress, by Lina Rennell (Beklina), $260
Draped Pocket Coat, by Loeffler Randall, $385
Camel Argyle Scarf, by Yarnz, $112
Kaleidoscope Necklace, by Biko Designs, $149
Aubergine Stingray Cuff, by Leigh Elena, $95
Handmade wooden “Lucy” earrings, by Amy Bengtson, $89
Classic Oxfords, by Chelsea Crew, $60
Marie Zipper Bag, by Zibba, $511