About

URCHIN: My brand is true hand draped and fitted bespoke couture. It is unusual in that nothing is reproduced. The process is incredibly organic. Each and every piece is one of a kind, and specific to my particular client.. Urchin’s aesthetic is sculptural and textural, with a heavy emphasis on fit, function, and wearability, while focusing on beautiful detail. The pieces range form more modern and sculptural, to more romantic and textural, as in my bridal pieces.

MY HISTORY: I have been an apparel designer professionally since graduating from Parson's (Otis/Parson's Los Angeles) in 1985, where I graduated designer of the year. I worked for many many years in the apparel business designing for very large companies, and building their brands, while doing and showing/selling  my own fine artwork on the side. In approximately 2009 I began designing one of a kind garments and accessories and placing them in small local retail stores in my home town of Portland Oregon, and was approached by a client to do a bridal commission for her. It went well, and we were both very happy with the collaboration. So I put my toe in the water, and began merging my artwork with my background in fashion, and Urchin bespoke was born.

COUTURE: I hand drape and fit on a combination of my own vintage tailoring form and my clients own bodies. A great deal of my work is bespoke. That is to say that I design specifically for and with my clients, and tailor the pieces specifically to my clients own figures, personalities, and needs. I am constantly hunting out new treasures to incorporate to give that extra touch and elegance to a piece. You often cannot achieve that same look or fit of custom couture with a store bought item, and it  doesn’t have any of the clients own resonance in it. The artistry, love, care, and attention to personal detail in my pieces are some of the hallmarks of what my clients come to me for that you cannot achieve in mass produced product and why most of my business is by referral.

FOR BRIDAL: In addition to working with all new fabrics, I can incorporate sumptuous vintage fabrics and trims with a lovely patina of age, or my client’s own heirloom pieces, fabrics and jewelry, or pieces of elements from my own extensive collection which I can deconstruct and re-blend with luxurious modern goods, then dye or tint recreating garments and headpieces which have natural patina and a beauty of historical imperfection with modern piece goods. Taking the most beautiful aspects of different ages and blending them together. There are no limitations to what can be created.

I can only produce a certain amount of product at any given time, as all product is hand made, and I work with each client one on one. Therefore I don’t really advertise, and can only produce a certain amount of on hand finished product to place into stores, or my own boutique.  My business model is built upon the artistry of one of a kind, and not the economy of reproduction.

If this kind of work resonates with you, then I look forward to talking with you.

Best,
Sonia