Wednesday, July 11, 2012

8 Questions with........designer Evon Cassier



Welcome to another edition of "8 Questions With.....". In this ongoing series,I'm interviewing people who I think make a difference in this world. Be it a artist,writer,political activist or your neighborhood plumber,everyone has a role to play and a voice to share. I hope you enjoy meeting the folks here as much as I did.



  Back in California,I was a talent buyer. What is a talent buyer? It means booking bands on a stage. Sounds simple,right? You grab 3 locals,give'em a stage,rake in the cash and become the next Amir Daiza or Bill Graham,right? Not so fast....it takes a certain skill to plop in a demo tape,listen for a sound you're looking for and then try to build a show that will draw a crowd and let people know they can hear great bands for a fair price. I have listened to THOUSANDS of demo tapes over the course of my days and even now will still get a random CD to listen to.
   But the best shows I ever booked.....sudden impulse. Seeing a name,a friend asking me to check out a act,seeing a act I had no idea who they were (like seeing Jennifer Charles with my buddy Rob "Sloe"Campbell at the Paradise Lounge when in fact we had traveled up to see D Generation). To stumble across a act no one had really heard of but when they played,they blew EVERYONE's mind. Those were the best shows....

   Sort of like how I met one of the most inventive clothing designers I have ever seen,Evon Cassier. I met her while swapping tweets with someone else. She sent out a picture of one her creations and I went and looked. And was blown away by the concept and design of what Evon was doing. She makes handbags out of old clothes,discarded garments,one bag at a time!
  I sent Evon a note saying how original and ultracool her handbags and totes were. And my (and yours,dear reader) respect just grew once I found out how she came about her great ideas.From a biochemist to a cutting edge designer?? Talk about a interesting journey.
  I'll be posting the links to her business website,Facebook and Twitter so you decide to go Christmas shopping early,you'll know exactly where to go.
   I am pretty excited to share this interview with you as I think Evon is going to be a rising fashion star much sooner then later. 

And now....8 Questions with handbag/tote designer...............Evon Cassier

VALOR Overnight Bag









IC.: Where were you born and what was growing up in your house like?

 EC:  I was born in Saigon, Vietnam.  My father was an American soldier and my mother is Vietnamese. My first stepdad was a Mexican and my second stepdad (the one I credit for raising me) an Arab.   I have 4 siblings.  We were the immigrant family in the hood and our household wasn't like most homes.  We had our own hodgepodge of traditions, rituals and holidays.  I think we were a bit of an oddity in our community because I don't ever remember other kids coming to our house to play. But I don't ever remember wanting to be anywhere else other than with my family.  In my mind we didn't fit in anywhere so I wasn't concerned with trying to. It was liberating in a lot of ways because I could be who I wanted to be.  I'm grateful for the way I was raised.  Because of my parents I have a strong work ethic, respect for others and an real appreciation for the things I have.  I've learned to be resourceful or to do without.

Some highlights from my childhood that might give you a glimpse into who I am today include:

Getting a seersucker outfit for my birthday that my mother made.  At my party, I taunted our family dog and he trampled me senseless.  I ruined the outfit.
Wearing the same outfit to school Monday through Friday, week after week  because I liked it (it was tie-dye BTW).
Eating gum off the sidewalk.
Becoming a playground Marble Champion beginning with a single marble that I found.
Fiercely defending my Marble Champion title.
Beating up my best friend because she teased my older sister.
Rallying 8 boys to play tackle football after we were told explicitly not to, then getting paddled by the Principal for doing it.  I got 2 swats for my "Bring it on!" attitude.
Getting choked out by my little brother when I attempted to cross the monkey bars with him on my back.

I think I was a scrappy and sassy and independent child.  

Valor Overnight Bag



   


IC:. You learned to sew at a young age...how old were you and why did you decide to learn what some consider a dying art form?

EC: I did not make a conscious decision to learn to sew.   My earliest memories of using my mother's sewing machine was when I was about 4 or 5 years old.  I'm certain I jammed something but with 5 kids in the house, I probably lied about it and blamed it on my brother.  But I learned quickly and within a few years my sisters  and I were experimenting with altering clothes and other fabrics.  It's embarrassing to admit but I made a shirt out of a pillowcase that I wore my entire 7th grade year. What I believed to be my expression-of-self through fashion was probably just some sad, odd child in a pillowcase.  But I felt empowered to create and that was a good thing.  And because of that experience, I teach young girls how to sew in the summer. 
HERO Laptop Bag


IC: How did you go from becoming a biochemist to become a inventive  designer and owning your own business? What triggered the change?

EC: My parents came to the U.S. for a better life. It made sense to get a degree in math, science, engineering or something that could provide me with gainful employment.  Education in artistic endeavors was never a consideration although we spent a lot of time creating and making and fixing and repurposing.  I worked in my field until having children and then I stayed home to raise them.

After being home for 10 years,  I knew that I was still a mother first and wasn't yet ready to focus on a new career.  Sewing gave me the opportunity and the flexibility to be at home and to meet my kids' needs in a way that was familiar to them.  I did not consciously choose to make handbags over anything else I could have sewn.  A bag made from a sport coat was the first thing I ever made that I wanted to repeat. I made my first one and loved it so much, I just never stopped.  
The Vivien - A Tote Made from a Sport Coat

IC: You lived in Korea for a while....how did you end up there and what did you like/dislike about the experience?

EC:My ex-husband's job took us there for 2 years. I worked there myself for several months before having children but I lived in a hotel, had my meals prepared, my laundry done; I was an extended visitor.  Because of my blended family, I have always been comfortable in different cultures.  I love them actually.  But being a visitor is not the same as living there with small children.  I learned exactly which buttons to push to get cash (or not) out of an ATM.  I learned that shrimp sticks look a lot like string cheese and can be purchased in bulk; sweetened condensed milk looks like mayo.  I learned how to give directions without being able to read street signs, "You know, when you see that guy who sells dried fish...turn right."   I learned that a guy who is nearly 7 feet tall (a friend of ours) and cute children with blue eyes (mine) can become an exhibit at the zoo.  

I also learned than Koreans are wonderful people with lots of love for small children.  I felt welcome and safe there.  We embraced our new way of life, explored as much as we could, tasted new foods,  and marveled at ordinary things. I thoroughly enjoyed every single experience and I would love to go back.
The Power Suit tote made from a sport coat

 IC:  You stated you took 10 years to raise a family and started sewing garment for all seasons,when did you know that was the direction you wanted to take instead of going back to becoming a scientist? Was there a "aha!" moment?

EC: A stay-at-home mom who has learned to live on one income has a tremendous opportunity when choosing to go back to work.  My choices were endless because I did not have the pressures of paying the bills, but I wanted a career that was rewarding, that would work for my family, that I loved, etc.  I was almost paralyzed with choice.  It wasn't until I went through a horrendous divorce that  I had no choice but to figure out how to pay the bills and to be primary caregiver to my kids.  There was no "aha" moment.  It was more like a "holy sh*t" moment. 

Above all else I wanted to be with my kids, to get them through the devastation of a divorce.  Sewing, gave me that opportunity but it also came at a price...a home foreclosure, bankruptcy, no health insurance, etc...  It was hand to mouth all the time and with a lot of tears.  I could have thrown myself into a career outside of the home but I chose the path that was right for my kids and me.  I wasn't afraid of having nothing.  I grew up that way.  I am convinced that the investment I make in my family now will ensure that I have a rich life full of love and people.  I'd rather be poor and have someone to smile with every single day than rich and alone.

I am lucky to have turned a passion into a career that works for us.  I hope that I inspire my kids to follow their passions too.



IC. Walk us through the creative process,where do you get your materials,how long does it to make each bag,what inspires your design?

EC: Remember in art class as a child when your teacher gave you a part of a picture and you taped it onto blank paper and then you had to draw in the rest around it?  I was really good at that. I've always able to see a detail and fill in an image around it.  It's the same process when I see a detail on a piece of clothing.  I can visualize a bag around that particular detail. I see shapes and textures more than colors and patterns.  I'm naturally drawn to straight lines and love the work of Frank Lloyd Wright and the Eames brothers.  
Once I have the vision, I set to work with prototyping.  I just dig right in and make it but it takes me about 6-12 times to work out the dimensions and construction details.  Once I'm clear on the design and construction, I make my pattern pieces from plexiglass.  It allows me to see material through the plexi and to align the details on the pattern.  It also means that my pattern pieces are very exacting and nothing is left to chance.  That's the scientist in me.  

It generally takes about 4-6 hours to make a bag once the design is established.  A new design takes weeks to complete.

I'm a big fan of local thrift store shopping.  I snag stuff up anytime, anywhere.  As my business expands, I'm also now purchasing jackets in bulk from a rag dealer (someone who deals in used clothing).  

Evon Cassier

IC. How long have you had your own business and share with us the emotion when you sold your first item

EC: I started making bags in late 2008 and thought it would be a way to make money.  I had no grand visions for a business that could sustain me and my family financially.  It wasn't until some time in 2009 when I needed it to be more than a hobby.  

The first time I sold a bag I was actually afraid.  I was insecure about my abilities and it was almost unimaginable that someone would pay me for my work. But as I've gained more confidence, I'm not nearly as surprised now when I make a sale.  I am, however, still grateful for every single purchase and every new opportunity that comes my way.  That feeling of gratitude and feeling blessed will never go away.

VALOR Overnight Bag

IC:. If suddenly Evon Cassier Bags took off like hotcakes,how would you meet the demand? After all,your bags are personally sewn together, not massed produced

EC: I currently have 2 part time assistants who help with taking apart jackets and prepping the pieces.  I sew everything myself but my assistants are capable of doing more if needed.  I've entertained the possibility of hiring out the stitching but quality is extremely important to me.  The only way I can see to maintain the meticulousness of my work is to stay intimately involved in the process.  As my business grows, I'll hire more assistants to increase my production capacity while maintaining an artisan product.

The Power Suit tote made from a sport coat


IC:. Has anyone famous asked/or bought your handbags as of yet?

EC: Everyone who carries one of my bags is famous in there own way.  Just ask their mamas.  

The Power Suit tote made from a sport coat


10. Where do you see Evon Cassier Bags in 5 years? 

In 5 years I want to look back on this moment when my business was still young and remember:

Family first.  Work second.   
Grow slowly and with integrity.
Do more good than harm.

I want to grow my business in a way that is sustainable for my family, for the people and their families that work for me and for the environment.  I'd like to have a healthy mixture of retail, wholesale and custom work.  The custom work is probably the most fun for me.  It allows me to be creative and often it involves a sentimental piece of clothing.  I love turning a cherished garment into a bag that helps to preserve a memory for someone.


My thanks to Evon for agreeing to take time off her busy schedule to do this interview.
 If you are interested in buying one of Evon's bags or working with her on designing your own bag using your own clothes,you can contact her at the places below. Tell her I sent you and she'll throw in a extra stitch in for free on your purchase!



www.EvonCassier.com
Twitter:  @EvonCassier
https://www.facebook.com/evoncassierbags


The photos for Evon's site were taken by Dave White. You can find more of Dave's work at www.davewhitephoto.com

Thanks for reading!


Upcoming interviews:

Lacye Presley
Michelle Meyers



Dayle- Sorry about Noah.


Friday, July 6, 2012

Doing the Right Thing (and a medical update)



Its 3:21 pm

    Its blistering hot once again,we have had rain 3 times this week but right after the storms roll out then oppressive heat moves right back in...

   First off.....the great news. Lori's check up was perfect.....nary a peep of cancer was seen in her lab work or exam. This is just beyond great....we see Dr. Johnston in 3 months,get a PT Scan and then her chemo port can be removed. Time to move onward and forward,right?

  How was the 4th of July for everyone? It was a good day here....we built the brand new patio table,I destroyed yet another yellowjacket nest without getting stung and did some light housekeeping.
 We are cat sitting for our friends again while they take a trip up north. And as usual,Autumn the cat was as shy as ever. I cleaned the cat box and fed the turtle while Lori fed and watered the cat. We made sure we left the radio on and then headed out to do our errands.
  Stopped by a Dollar Tree in Belleville to look for containers for a idea Lori saw on Pinterest. We had picked up some at a larger Dollar Tree to help keep our upstairs freezer neat and organized. It worked very well so we went to our local store but they didn't carry them. So that brought us to the DT in Belleville.
Store was pretty poppin' for the 4th...we found our containers and went on our way.
  We then returned the huge planter we bought about 3 weeks ago,Lori ended up not liking it as much as she thought. We hadn't used it as of yet so it was a easy return at the Wal-Mart where we had gotten it.







   Ended up doing a little of shopping as well,people were shopping for BBQs and grills. Lot of hot dogs,brats, and hamburgers being sold.
  It was nice to see everyone smiling and laughing while they shopped. We went home and brought in the new patio table inside and put it together.
  While we were doing that I told her about the incident at my job the day before.

It was around 12:30ish on the 3rd....I just had helped a guest load up about 600 pounds of cement in their car and was headed back in....one of my co-workers was eating lunch and talking with a friend outside. Suddenly she looks to the left,looks to the store and then stands up. I'm about 50-60 yards from her but I can tell by her body language that something was wrong...I added a little more speed to my step and came around the corner and looked where she was. I was stunned....two grown men were squaring off at the other side of our store. You could hear the profanity being tossed about and both men were getting louder.
Its about 93 degrees now...and I guess I was only surprised that we hadn't seen this kind of tempers flaring up as of yet. I quick stepped down there,a white guy was arguing with an Middle Eastern man,the Middle Eastern had parked to get supplies but had blocked off (by accident)the other guy's truck. So what was a unintended action now had two grown men about ready to throw blows.
  I walked in-between them,put my arm around the Middle Eastern man,introduced myself and offered him a handshake. I knew what he was angry about,the white guy was mocking his accent. I steered him away and back to his truck,talking to him,asking him what happened. The white guy kept on barking and I turned and pointed at him "Leave it alone" I told him twice. 
 The guy I was with was named Jim. I calmed Jim down and explained that two professional contractors didn't need to act like that. He was very sorry and calmed down quickly. I then walked back to the white guy and I was a little less kind with him....I said "When I am getting him calmed down and you keep pushing his buttons,you have now become the problem."

Darcy Tucker Referees break up a fight between Darcy T ucker #16 of the Colarado Avalanche and Paul Mara #27 of the New York Rangers during their game on February 28, 2009 at Madison Square Garden in New York City.  (Photo by Chris McGrath/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Paul Mara;Darcy Tucker


He also got a little sheepish but was still mad because the other guy had spit on him. I dunno,I might inclined to toss a loogie if you are yelling "Fuck You!!" and making fun of my accent.
Now while I'm breaking this up....I see our store manager watching and I go,"oh shit". Afterwards...I walk up and told him I was sorry,the store policy is safety first and I wasn't sure if I had crossed the line.
  He just shook his head and "No,no....that was great. Where did you learn how to defuse situations like that at"? I said "Marsugi's...San Jose,California" and laughed.

  But isn't that something? That you could get into trouble by doing the right thing? Like what happened to this lifeguard?


Florida lifeguard Tomas Lopez was fired after he tried to save a man's life -- an example of how a company's fear of liability can sometimes make waves and backfire.





Lopez, 21, was hired by Jeff Ellis Management to monitor a portion of a public beach in Hallandale Beach, Fla. The company allegedly gave Lopez strict instructions to stay inside his patrol zone, ABC News reports.
But when Lopez spotted a man in distress outside his patrol zone Monday afternoon, he ignored those instructions and leapt into action.
By the time lifeguard Tomas Lopez got to the man, other bystanders had already pulled him to shore, the South Florida Sun Sentinel reports. Lopez stayed with the man until paramedics arrived.
That valiant act was Lopez's last as a lifeguard, as his employer fired him for straying 1,500 feet outside his patrol zone. The man Lopez tried to rescue was in an area where swimmers are advised to swim at their own risk, the Sun Sentinel reports.
"We have liability issues and [lifeguards] can't go out of the protected area," Lopez's ex-supervisor told the Sun Sentinel. Jeff Ellis Management could possibly have been sued had Lopez's rescue attempt gone wrong, the company said.
In general, a person has no legal duty to rescue a victim in distress, unless a special relationship exists. Such a duty can be established when a lifeguard is contracted to patrol a specific beach.
But if a Good Samaritan fails to exercise reasonable care during a rescue and makes things worse, he can potentially be held liable for damages. That liability may be imposed on an employer, if the Good Samaritan's actions were within the scope of his job duties.
After a national outcry over lifeguard Tomas Lopez's firing, Jeff Ellis Management is now offering Lopez his job back, ABC News reports. But Lopez has turned down the offer, saying he won't rescue the company from drowning in a public-relations disaster created by its own liability policy.

Seriously,has it come to that? That we may not act to save a life,help out to solve a problem,break up a fight because we might be held liable and even lose our jobs? Instead of feeling good about getting involved,my first reaction was "Did I go too far"? That should never be the case,should it? 
The above video is one in a series from Liberty Mutual and it shows how just ONE good act of kindness can inspire others to do the same. We really so badly need more of this,don't we? And to do it from our hearts,not expecting anything back but simply because its the right thing to do.

  We finished our table and took it back outside. I grilled up some steaks,Lori made the sides and the tea...I went and set the table. We had a lovely dinner and then cleaned up the kitchen and watched TV. The fireworks started at about 8pm. I took Derek upstairs because he is afraid of the loud noises. Snacks on the other hand,just laid by Lori and slept through them. 
  Michigan has legalized the selling of fireworks and while that is okay...I don't think with the high heat,setting off bottlerockets was the best idea,at least 5 houses were hit and burned by fireworks in our area. Its something to be aware of....but with more and more cities cancelling their fireworks show,families doing their  thing is now becoming the norm. 




   As so many of you know,I love to read....in fact I'm wrapping up yet another book called "The 10th Fan" which details Major League Baseball courting of the baseball fan. One down,100 more to go,right?
Lori doesn't like to read much in the way of novels and such. She loves art books,travel books and cookbooks but when it comes to reading a James Patterson book or a Andrew Vachss book,ehhh,not going to happen. She did read the two Dan Brown books,The Da Vinci Code and Angels and Demons. I bought her "The Lost Symbol"but that one has been gathering dust and acting as a bookend to about 20 unread books on my list.
   Imagine my surprise when I walked in and saw Lori was reading Lisa Ann Walter's book..




Not a bad book to pick up to read to say the least....its a very entertaining book and one I hope you all get a chance to read.

My next blog entry will feature a new interview with  super cool handbag designer Evon Cassier. Been waiting for her to get a chance to finish it and send it back. Well it has arrived and now I'll be so tickled to introduce Evon and her amazing creations to you all....

That is all I got for now.....thank you for reading this and hope you'll tell a friend/leave a comment!


Michael