Interview by: Megan LaRussa, Edited by: Laura Foster, a fabulous Southern Femme Intern
Oscar Wilde once said, “Art is an imitation of life,” and fashion is no exception to this rule. This past week, I got to talk to Heather Williams an emerging designer from Montgomery, Alabama, and I found her to be every bit as unique and beautiful as the clothes she creates.
Megan LaRussa: So tell me how this became Tallulah?
Heather Williams: It’s kind of been a series of crazy events. Whatever you initially envision, it never turns out that way, thankfully. So my mom taught me how to sew when I was little. I have a twin sister and my mom made all of our dresses growing up, and why she was sewing I would have a little pillow that I would be cross-stitching, and I kind of always wanted to do it. I always made purses and dresses for myself, and skirts. Actually through college, I kind of made a living making purses for people, and hemming things for people because no one knows how to alter or sew on a button. I knew by the time I was about twenty that I wanted to do this, but I wanted to run a store, and I actually managed a clothing store before I started this.
I was always torn between diving into design and then the atmosphere of being around people, and having them in the shop. I knew before I launched my own company that I wanted to know more about financial analysis and all about the business end. Because my mom told me, “It doesn’t matter how great your stuff is, if you can’t have a business plan, and be profitable then it doesn’t matter.” So I went to Samford for graduate school, and I got to manage the store I work at while I was there, and I loved it, but I had no control over our inventory. It was great and I loved somethings, others were meant for someone who’s not me. That’s when I realized, that if I’m going to sell something, I need to believe in it. So I just went from there.
ML: How did you come up with the name Tallulah?
HW: People always ask me that, and they think Tallulah Bankhead sort of instinctively, but it’s one of my favorite names like I would probably name a daughter that. Tallulah means, “leaping waters.” It is Native American. To me “leaping waters” sounds very much like the girl that would wear my stuff like very fun, doesn’t take herself to seriously, has a lot of energy, and enjoys print, enjoys color and kind of taking a risk. It’s kind of fit perfectly
ML: So with your upcoming Fall collection what is your inspiration for that? We saw the mood board.
HW: Oh my goodness, it’s funny because I am projecting for Fall 2012, but I am continuing my current Spring fashion for City Arts. So for the Fall collection and for spring collection I’m showing in NOLA Fashion Week definitely the greens, and navy. I love the structure when it’s cold. In the summer, it’s very light with sun dresses and little prints, but in the winter, I really like heavy coats of wool, tweed, very layered, and be able to have texture.
ML: That sounds really great! So your current collection is being sold at City Arts?
HW: Yes. It’s located at 55th Place and First Avenue South.
ML: Anything else you want to talk about, let people know about your price points?
HW: Price points are anywhere from $28-$90 just depending on the time spent on it. I try to make it where something can make a great Christmas gift for someone that you can just come in and pick it up or if you want to splurge and buy something nice for yourself. What I always end up doing is making a collection within a collection so it doesn’t just have one voice. You know, some days when you wake up you think, “I want to look really fashion forward,” and then the next day you think, “I kind of want to be boho today.” Each day you are someone new and different, and I really want to be able to sell pieces that contribute to that.
ML: So can people special order things from you?
HW: Yes, the key to my clothing and my jewelry is that it is all one of a kind. So there is not a size run of each one, there is just one. The reason I do that is because while mass production is great, what I do is really more of an art form. So when I make it, I don’t want to make six hundred of the same dress. I want to make one and know that it is special. As the customer, when you purchase it, you know that there is no one else with this skirt on ever. It is the only one. There might be one with a similar cut, but it wont be with the same colors or same material. If I were the buyer, that would make me happy.
ML: That is so awesome and I am so excited for you!
HW: Thanks! It’s been great and just remarkable how easy it’s been when you have people who believe in you and friends who will bend over backwards to help you. When you have people who want to see you succeed. It is really easy.
