Interview with Lindsay Duggan of Girl.Bike.Dog

Founder Lindsay Duggan and her main designer Caroline Steinberg of Girl.Bike.Dog, specialize in fully custom messenger bags, bike accessories and dog accessories. Their newly minted store front business on 23^rd and Bainbridge Streets in addition to providing custom made wares helps support the Philadelphia art community, showcasing and selling work by local artists and designers. Lindsay was interviewed by Laura Bonvini and Christine Ferri, two of Moore's BSA students.

LB & CF: What has it been like establishing a business in such a poor economy?

LD: We were lucky; my landlords own the building so I knew the spot was available.   Business tripled with the store opening, and many more people know about the business now.  As the economy improves, the business will improve as well.

LB & CF: What is your inspiration?

LD: Seriously, sometimes you just have to do it to pay the rent. But I do get a lot of inspiration by working with other artist. I love helping my friends with blowing glass and working in new mediums. I get inspiration when I am faced with new material, new designs, new appliqué.

LB & CF: Owning your own business must be stressful at times, what is the most difficult situation or task you have overcome so far?

LD: Hiring friends as employees. It is very difficult to balance the relationship between friend and boss. Also, making money. Sure, everything is paid for but you have to sacrifice a lot. You don't really make ends meet for at least 2 years.

LB & CF: If the opportunity to rent a space did not present itself, what would you be doing now?

LD: I would still be working out of my living room. I was always looking for spaces to rent but everything fell into place when I found this location. 

LB & CF: Do you have any advice for others who want to open a small business?

LD: Be dedicated!  Love what you are doing, I gave up a lot and started up the shop on my own without the help of loans.  Make sure you are serious and it’s definitely what you want to do. I knew what was going to happen, a lot of work and time. Expect to work very hard!  Eventually the hard work will pay off and you'll make ends meet!

LB & CF: How do you keep yourself motivated?

LD: I ride my bike out to Fairmont with my dog and swim in the river.  Other interests are gardening, cooking, dog walking, hanging out with friends, reading, and watching movies.

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Interview with Melanie Bergwall

Moore Alumna ’08 and creator of Meljoy, an artworks/graphics studio, Melanie Bergwall is also a full-time designer for Urban Outfitters and in the past has worked as a freelance designer for companies such as Victoria’s Secret and Reef Inc. Melanie began her freelance work during her undergraduate career and since then has continued to expand her business and brand of graphics and design work in and around Philadelphia. Melanie was interviewed by BSA student Amer Callahan.

What attracted you to want to major in Textile Design rather than Fashion Design?

MB: I was always interested in both fashion/textiles. I just realized I was more interested in surface design/pattern—in what was actually going to go onto the garment instead of the actual construction of it.

While at Moore majoring in Textiles, did you have to apply for an internship? If so, who did you work for?

MB: Yes, I did internships every year in between school. One company in New York City, Oxford Industries, and 3 others in Philadelphia here—Free People, Printfresh design studio and Urban Outfitters.

After you graduated Moore, did you start up meljoy.com right away? Also, was it difficult to find jobs you were interested in?

MB:I started meljoy.com while I was still in school because I learned early the significance of getting your work out there and networking, and having a website is a very good way of doing that. No, I was offered my job while I was still in school, and interned part time before I graduated.

What was your most favorite job you’ve done so far in your career?

MB:All of my jobs have been wonderful, and I have learned a significant amount from them all. I don’t have one particular favorite.

You probably get this question a lot, but what was it like working for Victoria’s Secret and Urban Outfitters?

MB:Urban Outfitters is amazing. Victoria’s Secret was a lot of fun also.

You mentioned at NET NIGHTS that you did not like working up in New York. What didn’t you like about it?

MB: I just like Philadelphia more—the scene, the people, being close to family friends and being able to have a car and drive. That can't happen in New York. Pretty simple.

Where do you find inspiration to get ideas from to start on upcoming projects?

MB: I find inspiration in just about anything. It depends what I am trying to be inspired to do.

What are you currently working on?

MB: Too much! Full time job, freelancing graphics for hardgoods/packaging for a company, my website amongst a few other projects.

What advice would you give to an upcoming student who is majoring in Textiles or even Fashion Design?

MB: My advice would be: having an easy attitude, being personable yet sticking to what you really believe in, being able to talk about your work, justify it, putting in 110%, going that extra mile on everything and being able to adapt to change at the drop of a dime because in this industry it happens all the time.

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