Samantha Pleet

You could say all artists live in fantasy worlds. Every one of them is operating in the realms of things unseen, unmade, unimagined, and bringing them to life. It’s one thing to make such a world; it’s a whole other to bring other people into it. We’d say designer Samantha Pleet successfully transports cult followers of her clothing down the rabbit hole and into Neverland.

Pleet has always had a tendency toward the imaginary, though she didn’t always envision being a fashion designer. “I was always making clothes and costumes for myself growing up,” shares Pleet, “but for a long time I thought I’d be an actress or [visual] artist.” It was after she graduated from Pratt in the early 2000s, she had her “ah-ha” moment. “I realized I wanted to be wearing clothes that didn’t exist, so I started designing things inspired by pirates and vagabonds and the Renaissance.” So began Pleet’s creation of whimsical, wearable art.

Flash forward ten years to her Spring/Summer 2017 collection, which she tells us is inspired by Shakespeare’s A Midsummer’s Night Dream, and we see that she’s just as magical as ever. Her reason for designing clothes is rooted in creating a fantastical experience for others to step into. “Clothes to me are so creative and exciting because they let you be whoever you want every day,” explains Pleet. “Everyone has to get dressed, so I love that I can make beautiful, dreamy clothes for women so they can feel like that themselves.” And who doesn’t love playing dress-up?

For each new collection, Pleet begins her creative process with a strong inspiration. Her most recent resort collection was inspired by a French harlequin and Nouveau Edwardian style. From there, she makes a mood board of collected images that fits the design and theme. Next come fabrics and colors. To guide the style, she thinks about what she would want to be wearing for the season she’s designing. And if she had to pick a favorite piece from the SS17 Collection? “I love the floweret shorts,” Pleet gushes, “because they look like Victorian underwear in the style of denim shorts.” The designer loves wearing hers with everything from t-shirts to tank tops to her own line’s cropped blouses.

While her clothing may be some sort of magic, the process of running an independent clothing line takes a lot of guts and sweat. “We do everything from designing, to sales, to PR ourselves,” shares Pleet, “so the hardest part is just making sure we can do everything and on time!” With time Pleet has been able to nail down a system, but when she first started, “it was difficult to figure out how to do everything, like organizing production or designing a label,” the designer laughs. She believes that for entrepreneurs, this process is painful, but necessary. “Going through all those steps though allows you to eventually know exactly what you want and what you need to do to get that result.”

Pleet’s designs aren’t wallflower material; sweeping ruffles, quirky patterns, and vintage silhouettes frequent her designs. We asked her what she would say to someone who thinks they can’t pull off bold clothing. “I think the most important thing is that women feel like they look good in what they’re wearing,” Pleet says. “So the idea of ‘boldness’ becomes tangential when someone looks good and feels confident or, in other words, most women won’t worry about ‘pulling something off’ if they feel beautiful and sexy in it!” In the realm of fashion where we’re constantly being told what we can and cannot wear, Pleet’s voice is refreshing.

This empowering view of women and fashion stems from her own inspirations. “I’m inspired by powerful women, with independent, creative voices,” explains Pleet. “Most recently I designed a collection inspired by Queen Elizabeth I and I’m always inspired by Elsa Schiaparelli.” It’s only fitting that the beautiful strength of her muses is what she hopes women embody while wearing her clothes.

Speaking of a beautiful strength, Pleet herself has managed to balance a life that many think is make-believe: motherhood as an entrepreneur. “I have a daughter, Valentine, who’s just a little less than a year old now and having her has been so amazing and completely life changing, gushes Pleet. “She is so wonderful and adorable and she has already inspired me to design my own baby line!” What does Pleet have to say to those ambitious girl bosses who are hesitant to have children because of their career? “I would say that if you want to have a baby, your career shouldn’t stop you from doing so,” suggests Pleet.

As women, we are constantly told we have to compromise on one part of our life to do better in another, and I don’t think that’s true. people always ask me did you slow down or take a break and it was actually the opposite. If anything now I’m more willing to take on new projects and design more because I have more than just me and my husband’s lives to consider.”

Any entrepreneur can tell you how easy it is to become consumed by your work. Pleet’s philosophy on friendship and family grounds her in the midst of it all. Though she loves being a designer, she urges us to “go the extra mile for your friends, because they’re the most valuable thing you have.” She stresses the importance of community, saying, “Even when it’s difficult or you’re busy you have to make time for other people because being surrounded by people you love is more important than anything. Especially in a creative industry, you always want to help your friends out with their projects because then when you ask someone for help (as you inevitably will) they’ll remember that and be thankful that you were generous too.”

Pleet credits the people in her life for being her constant support. “My parents have always believed in me and in my brand, and my husband Patrick, who is also my best friend and business partner, has been there for me since we met in high school!” Pleet and her family even moved in order to integrate her work and family life. Their new in-home studio and office allows Patrick and herself to spend more time with Valentine and get a lot of work done. “I’m also lucky because most of my friends are in creative industries too and a lot are also designers so we all have similar schedules!”

The myth of the solitary artist is debunked with Pleet, who reminds us all that family and friends should always be our priority. Mystic and magic aren’t the only factors that go into Samantha Pleet’s designs. Behind each piece of clothing is the support of valued family and friends, and the hope that the women who wear them will experience a little bit of their own fairytale.

Written by Tayllor Lemphers | Photography by Naohmi Monroe

Spring 2017 Collection

Photography by Logan White | Model: Ariana Papademetropoulos