Fashion has no age, and with designers like Lynne Gallagher running Wee Scotty Fashion School and Boutique, children can begin designing and sewing their own creations as soon as they are able to wield a needle and thread.With a star-studded background designing costumes for bands like Kiss, the Rolling Stones, the Goo Goo Dolls, and more, Lynne created Wee Scotty in 1995 after the birth of her daughter Leah, to bring the vivacious colors and bold prints present in her earlier designs to children’s wardrobes. Inspiring creativity and self-expression, the Wee Scotty Sewing School sees children through the design process from inception to finish. Featuring designs from students participating in the 1st Annual Wee Scotty Project Junior Runway Contest, Wee Scotty presents at SF Fashion Week 2007.
I caught up with Lynne to pick her brain about her line, fashion, and other fun topics. This is what she had to say:
What does your label name mean? How was it chosen?
Wee Scotty can be defined as the following:
(1) A small Scottish person
(2) A collage of children’s style, from the Highlands of Scotland to the stages of rock & roll.
Tell me briefly about your path to becoming a designer.
I started designing interiors for my Barbie at the age of seven. We couldn’t afford the “Barbie House” I wanted so I began sewing for a shoe box house, making curtains and pillows on a toy machine that never seemed to work right. By the age of ten I made bathing suits for my entire group of neighborhood friends, and they didn’t fall off in the water! As an adult after two years of college studying graphic arts, I landed a job in an office. The biggest thrill of the job was bringing home alterations for my office mates. After five long years I realized I hated this job and the joy of it was the weekend work.
I began making custom clothes and continued alterations while starting up a custom leather business, “Leather on Wheels” (because I would travel). The business eventually developed into my role as an “on-call” seamstress at the local venue for rock shows. My first rock customer was Paul Stanley and I designed stretch synthetic leather pants with rhinestone studs. The requirements outlined were that they had to be tight and “no stones near the knees” to assure good guitar solo knee dives during the show. Gene Simmons was a piece of work and the second client. After costuming a growing clientele of rock star clients, I was given the opportunity to tour with the Rolling Stones in 1989. I continued designing for the rock and roll people and traveled Europe and America for three years, realizing that San Francisco is the most beautiful city in the world and fit my rock style.
After settling in San Francisco with my husband, I worked with a local designer who designed in wools and silks…very different than leather. I set up business here and had my first child, Leah. She was playing among scissors and pins by age three and while it might have scared visitors, it sparked the realization that if you are shown how to use such tools (and even a sewing machine) they can absolutely be used safely no matter what your age. I worked sewing and designing for myself and others but began to add teaching to the list. After three years of multitasking in the fashion industry, it hit me to open a sewing and design school for young kids and enhance that experience with my own colorful designs inspired by my experiences in the music industry, throwing in a young girls point of view.
How would you describe your clothes?
Handmade in San Francisco, designed like nothing else in your closet. Consistently bold, unique and retro, Wee Scotty clothes are the spark that ignites a child’s wardrobe.
What was the theme for this collection?
Rip and Recycle. All our outfits this year have been produced utilizing recycled garments, natural fabrics, scraps, and end cuts.
There is too much over production of apparel goods. America has to wake up before our greed overcomes the basics of nature. We are killing our planet to produce goods that are simply basics in our lives. Lets learn to utilize the overproduced goods to give longevity to their existence and our planet.
Where do you grab your ideas from?
They’re generally sparked by deadline, but most specifically the kids. What inspires you most when you create? Nature and rock & roll, which equates to comfort and color in our line.
Who do you see wearing your clothes?
Children that want to express themselves. Our customers include the Rolling Stones (grandkids!), Sharon Stone, Madonna (bought one of everything), Talking heads, Simple Minds, Chrissy Hines, etc. Kids love the bold colors and textures of Wee Scotty clothes that really seem to invoke the San Francisco experience. In our boutique we sell to locals and tourists alike.
Favorite designer?
Coco Channel, because you have to be different to wear what looks good on you, and Emilio Pucci, the “WoW” of color.
Designers you love/would love to collaborate with?
Madonna could use our help with her children’s line, maybe Santino Rice and I could set it straight.
Mentors?
Mick Jagger. He settles only for the absolute best, and checks every little detail associated with his persona. He is an amazing business man.
What’s your favorite piece that you’ve created to date?
My daughters “Happy Birthday Piñata Pants.” Every girl loves them and they sell season after season! Certain things should repeat if it is a winner.
Where do you feel upcoming designers fall in Fashion?
Top of the list! How important are upcoming designers to be recognized in Fashion? How many artists have painted a portrait? Same question applied to fashion: “how many designers have designed pants?” What we see in these designer pieces is life experiences through their eyes. These innovative designs need to be showcased. They expose the public the world of fashion as seen through their eyes; there will always be a new pant.
What do you think the effect on fashion is of popular shows like Project runway, What Not to Wear, etc.?
We have our own pilot being marketed right now. See you on TV. Do you think see these shows as a negative or positive thing? Totally positive. Check our new pilot clip “Running with Scissors” on www.coldfusionproductions.com under promotional clips. There is nothing out there like what we offer at Wee Scotty. We backed by the Academy of Art College in San Francisco. These designers have a unique opportunity to learn at a young age.
How do you feel about the recent focus on greener/organic methods of design?
I think I have already stated my point of view on the over production of goods coming into America. The global shift in overseas production has also devastated the American apparel industry. We are still one if the top producers of cotton. Why are we shipping it overseas to mill? Who is controlling how these fibers are being milled? Has it been an environmentally friendly process? We have little control over how apparel and fabrics are being produced overseas. We must make a change in how materials are being produced and where apparel is manufactured. Our country was founded on the worker and creating jobs for all Americans. Since the manufacturing has shifted to cheaper labor overseas there has been so many jobs lost in the apparel industry in America. Simple habits that we have as consumers like, shopping for a new top, need to be recognize by the shopper and smarter more educated choices need to begin to become available to the public. The think green campaigns have begun with the larger car market and food production and waste disposal. It will hopefully cross over into everything we purchase even in our clothing. Young kids are more aware of global warming than we realize and this will show in future fashion designs.
This year we aim to address the issue of recycling and reuse and make a statement. We re-used everything, including end cuts from designers’ yardage and re-constructed new fashions from old garments. It was amazing fun and wait until you see what these young designers came up with!
Why choose San Francisco over more highly recognized cities in the fashion industry like New York or Los Angeles?
It is the most beautiful city in the world.
What direction would you like to see your line develop towards?
World domination with proper financing.
Take away message for your line?
WoW! There is only one Wee Scotty. Everyone wants a store in their town also to be a part in this enriching experience of learning and retail fashion.
Advice you’d give for people trying to break into the industry.
Make sure this is your passion and have an accounting background. Meet your deadlines, and remember, ”The show must go on!”
Where can we find your items?
ONLY at Wee Scotty, 2266 Union Street, San Francisco, Ca 94123. Or custom orders at contact@weescotty.com.
Wee Scotty is also a full service production Studio that has been in operation since 1995. We are offering rental space to designers to run their production and samples out of our studio. Leasing space and tools and sewers assistance by the month and by the hour. We also offer adult sewing classes on Monday evenings. This is a great time to get assistance with special construction details or even pattern drafting or tailoring. I am also available to assist in Product development of designers’ next line or season. Call for details 415-345-9200 and more information.
Typical day in the life of Wee Scotty.
Crazy, crazy, crazy…There is always something.
Favorite things to do when you’re not working.
Garden and get away weekends.
If you could live anywhere in the world, where would it be?
Right here.
If you weren’t designing, what would you be doing?
Designing for myself.
Book you’re reading right now, or last book you read.
The Smart-Mart Revolution / How local businesses are beating the global competition. Michael Shuman.
Right or Left-handed?
Right
If you were to create a “Soundtrack Of My Life” compilation, what songs would be in it?
“Get off of my cloud”
Favorite time of the day.
Morning
Piece of clothing or jewelry you could not live without?
A good coat
Best part about being a designer? Worst part about being a designer?
Best: sharing ideas, collaboration. Worst: enough funding to keep in up with my ideas.
What are you obsessing on these days?
Too much consumerism and Americans loosing jobs, where will this lead?
If you could choose between sleeping, eating, or being clean, which would you choose? Why? None of the above. It would be, designing and creating above all. I will get food and water later or as I go….
Favorite holiday.
I used to love all holidays. Then I opened the store and all holidays are work.
Five pieces of clothing every girl/guy should have in his/her wardrobe.
Five good coats or jackets.
If you haven’t had enough of Wee Scotty, check out their trunk show on Friday, August 31st at 2266 Union Street, San Francisco.
