December 12, 2015
3rd Season
Studio Visit
We were very fortunate to spend some time with Mabel and Alycia of 3rd Season and check out their amazing home studio in Southern California. Check out our photo journal of our visit and learn more about this amazing duo!
Where did your business name come from? Is there an interesting history behind?
Our name symbolizes both of us being born in the 3rd season of the year and, starting our business during the 3rd decade of our lives – our 30’s. It’s also been a running theme of ours that it’s not until the 3rd season in a series that things really get interesting!
When/Why did you start working in this particular craft?
We met in school circa 2000 and came together again, creatively, about 10 years later. We both have backgrounds in fine art and textiles. History and obsession with pattern and color in textiles go back to our individual childhood days. Mabel with her mom’s influence from downtown LA’s garment industry of 35+ years and Alycia, originally from Malaysia, has been influenced by cultural forms of art and traditional techniques, which we currently apply to our design approach.
What has been your proudest/favorite moment since creating your business?
Return customers are the best! Meeting them face to face and hearing feedback always has a positive impact on us, a guide to where we’re going with our line. All of it makes us proud –There isn’t only one favorite moment, but a continuous flow of favorite moments!
Where do you want your business to be in 2-5 years?
As a small business there are multitudes of possibilities in our future, potentially some we haven’t yet been presented with. The only certainty is that we are going to continue to grow, design and stay inspired. In 2-5 years we want to have a solid foundation to rely on – structure, work-force and culture. We want to be flexible enough to move with emerging trends and technology, while keeping rooted in our artistic tradition.
What valuable experience/knowledge did you have before starting your business?
Textile designing for manufacturers and business managing in the corporate private-sector provided us with valuable lessons, certainly in regards to what-not-to-do as business owners. However, we constantly draw upon from our background in studio art, the fundamentals of line, space and color – always going back to basics is important for us to do, when faced with a design challenge.
What made you take this leap into being your own boss?
Too many ideas that needed to be turned into action ASAP! To be truly independent, with full creative license, is important and necessary for us to do the things we want to do. We wanted to be decision makers and to have control of our business in terms of growth and direction.
What are some tips or suggestions you’d like to offer to fellow makers?
Stay focused and true to your vision – everything takes time to grow.
What are some inspirations for your work?
Science, space, nature and the world as a whole, from micro to macro, from light to dark.
If you could learn any other craft, what would it be?
Ceramics!
When you do get free time, how do you like to spend it?
We haven’t had much free time since starting 3rd Season, but any free time we have is most often spent travelling. Next up in January 2016 we’ll be headed to Amsterdam with a stop in London and Paris. Our winter 2016 collection is inspired by Amsterdam – plaids, tweeds and a touch of LA grunge street style.
Have you sacrificed anything to create your business? If so, what was it, and do you have any regrets?
Personal time and space, our entire lives and most importantly, our sanity and peace of mind. Ultimately, there is no other way to build a business from scratch, without an enormous amount of sacrifice – it’s inherent to the job. So far, no regrets!
What is your favorite part of your studio/workspace?
Our favorite part of our workspace is that it is also our home, I guess its bitter sweet in too many ways.
Love love love these two and their clothes and accessories! Check out the full set of photos on Flickr and make sure to say hello to 3rd Season at our LA Fair today and Sunday!