Artikal - Holly Slayton
DIY City had a chance to interview Holly Slayton about her hat making company, Artikal. We asked Holly to share some about her hat making workshops, as well as some of fav places for sharing supplies. With many of the millinery stores closing due to the intense Manhattan real estate market, finding millinery supplies, even in NYC, is becoming more difficult.
DIY City: You seem to be passionate about your craft, where do get your drive?
HS: You have to be really self motivated to get your line out there. I have no PR or help, so i need to be motivated to get it done. My line is my solo job now and because of that I have had more time to commit to it. Last year alone I had 12 editorials and doubled my sales.
DIY City: We see you also teach small workshops, do you get many folks wanting to learn in true DIY style?
HS: Yes, I get absolute beginers to DIYers. They’re great classes because you will leave with a finished project even if you’re not crafty.
DIY City: NYC of course is the place to be for hot fashion and the supplies you need to make it. Can you share any of your sourcing secrets with us?
HS: Well, there aren’t many sources here anymore alot of the old school suppliers are closing. I know of 3 of mine that have closed in the last few months. I have been doing alot of ordering from online suppliers.
DIY City: We realize that the real estate market is pricing out a lot of the garment industry suppliers, is that affecting your work? What do you make of this trend?
HS: Yes, many of these suppliers that were started in my parent’s generation are current owners and they can’t keep up with the pricing of the real estate.
DIY City: What hats are your favorites? Do you wear your own or do you have other designers that you like to wear?
HS: I only wear my own, but usually just fabric newsboy caps. I can dress them up or down. I am really loving my new couture bridal line, they’re really fun to make and I can experiment more with diffrent materials. I also like to work with the velour felts in fall. The material can take on more shapes.
DIY City: The Freeform cloche, is it coming back in style big time?
HS: Yes, those have always been my most popular pieces and one of my favorites to make.They’re great in the cold weather too, because they are classier than a knit hat and still can cover your ears for warmth.
DIY City: You have had so much press lately, is business growing?
HS: Yes, plus last year after finally quiting my 16 years of bartending I took on my buisness full time. I did lots of craft shows, street fairs and shopping events. It’s really hard work to do these types of shows but doubled my buisness.
DIY City: Do you like being an independent designer?
HS: I love it, although it is hard work. I do all aspects of my buisness from accounting and web design. I really don’t have a day off.
DIY City: Any tips for other indies breaking into this market?
HS: Stay motivated and don’t quit your day job at first. It takes alot of cash to get a buisness off the ground.
