Meet the Duchess Team! Part 2: Alterations Annex
DUCHESS CLOTHIER
is made up of a wildly talented team of folks with varied interests and insatiable curiosity.
We’re excited to meet ya!
At DUCHESS, we are a small but mighty team of creative powerhouses.
Comprised of 6 human folks & 1 kitty staffer, as well as a dedicated support team of furry family.
Allow us to introduce:
our Alterations folks
Erin
Senior Alterations Specialist
Checkermallow visionary, designer & sewist
Serial hobbyist, fierce believer in social justice and civil rights, and horror movie addict
Aquarius sun (Taurus rising/Gemini moon)
Anxious, spicy, Aquarian
Film/TV that’s inspired my sense of fashion, or just outright blew my mind with wardrobe: …along with K-pop music videos and Beach Party movies
A favorite project I’ve worked on for Duchess/Checkermallow:
Tony Maxymillian neckties!
Favorite (hidden) talent: Hearing when a bobbin runs out!
Favorite ice cream flavor: Blue Moon, Mint Chocolate Chip
Favorite snack-food: Hummus and Crackers
Most likely to listening to: WFMU’s (radio) show - “Wake n’ Bake” with Clay Pigeon
Favorite/most recommended podcast:
Ologies
(a popular one in the Alterations annex)
Book(s) that most impacted my development:
The Lord of the Rings - J.R.R. Tolkien
Most memorable experience of media:
Going to see Ornette Coleman in Chicago, but being so late that my boyfriend and I just caught the tail end of his performance, from waaaayy back. Afterward, we were so hungry, but everywhere was closed, so we ate chips.
Portland Delight: All the weirdos, nerds, and artists
Favorite PDX Food cart: El Salto
Bernice
Alterations
& Checkermallow designer/sewist
Anétáhéveóó'e
Gemini, double Scorpio*~ (go'n judge me)
Loyal. Intrigued. Clown.
Film/TV that’s inspired my sense of fashion, or just outright blew my mind with wardrobe: Heathers!
A favorite project I’ve worked on for Duchess/Checkermallow:
This PeeWee inspired lunch box!
But really anything that I haven't ever worked on before is always a proud moment cuz learning is fun.
Favorite (hidden) talent: I'm pretty good at rollerskating...
Favorite ice cream flavor: Orange Sherbet & Pistachio
Favorite snack-food: pickles or grapes
Language I’d most like to learn: Spanish- my grandpa is from Guadalajara but never spoke it around us grandchildren.
Dream / favorite travel destination: basically anywhere I can swim
Favorite/most recommended podcasts:
Most likely to listen to: Deftones, Bob Wills & his Texas Playboys, Beastie Boys...
Bucket list concert or show: It was System of a Down but I saw them last year so now I need to have a new one
Song lyrics that best reflect my inner self or view of the world:
RVIVR- Real Mean. "You're old enough to know the difference between being real and being mean"
Most memorable experience of media:
I saw Hedwig and the Angry Inch in highschool and it resonated with me morally, visually, and transcendently as I realized identity is whatever you make it.
Desired Requirement: I think we should all work a customer service job in our lives. It teaches us to learn basic human decency and manners on how to treat others while working with people who you wouldn't normally affiliate yourself with. I think that'd just be helpful for everyone right now with where we're at in the world.
Book that most impacted my development:
Braiding Sweetgrass
by Robin Wall Kimmerer
Portland Delight:
Coming from a small town in Oklahoma where public transit is NOT a thing, and having a car is very necessary, it feels like freedom not being responsible for a vehicle and relying on bus/trains/bikes.
Favorite PDX Food cart:
it was Ditto (RIP) but is now Speedo Cappuccino
Cullom
Alterations / Digital Design
Checkermallow design & sewist
Pisces (virgo moon)
curious. creative. Jade-of-all-trades.
Film/TV that’s inspired my sense of fashion, or just outright blew my mind with wardrobe:
The GREAT (on Hulu) - the extravagance mixed with the contemporary styling matches the tone outstandingly. The Mad Men series holds a special place for me in mid-20th-century clothing depiction. Delivering a solid evolution of a particular sect of fashion from the early 1960s into the 70s. Station Eleven - for the thoughtful storytelling present in each design element.
…Also, the outfit that "Baby" (Jennifer Grey) wears in Dirty Dancing during the montage where she dances across the bridge - pink leotard under jean shorts with white Keds sneakers - has always been iconically sexy to me.
A favorite project I’ve worked on for Duchess/Checkermallow:
Really proud of my alterations and applique work on this stunning vest
- orginally designed by consultant, Baili.
Favorite (hidden) talent: tiny paintings and having done pretty solid theatrical bruising makeup (backstage, in near-dark)
Languages I’d most like to learn: Spanish, Japanese, American-sign
Favorite ice cream flavor: Mint chip, pistachio or Truffle oil - depending on mood (preferably vegan)
Favorite snack-food: BBQ potato chips, PB Pretzel nuggets, roasted nori
Dream / favorite travel destination: Japan & Scotland. Both utterly magical.
Books I think should be required reading:
Most likely to listen to: 1970s folk/rock (Paul Simon, Moody Blues, Van Morrison, Fleetwood Mac), any Motown or Stax artists, Folk-rock artists of the 90s: Indigo Girls, Ani Difranco, Liz Phair
Most memorable experience of media: A production of “Black Watch” - produced by The National Theatre of Scotland.
A transformative story that is part documentary about soldiers trying to “reintegrate” after war, part history of the Black Watch regiment of the British Miliarty. A truly exquisite fusion of inventive storytelling, movement & music. All the things I want theater to be.
Favorite/most recommended podcasts:
Portland Delight: Trees. All the trees and how the seasons change them. Also the rain. Truly. Creating the conditions that make it more green during the fall & winter.
Favorite PDX Food cart: Originally I’d say Whole Bowl - still solid even though they now have brick & mortar. Also Namu (especially before I was mainly vegan…)
That’s our Alterations Team!
working hard behind the scenes…
Next time: behind the behind the scenes… Come back to meet our especially supportive support crew!
Bookmark this page to follow along and find us easily.
Notification sign-up coming SOON!
