Hi Invisible Friends.  Queen Bitty here.

And we have a new Creative woman of the Pond for you:  Amber and her new fashion line Amberie.  We discovered her after visiting our friend Jennifer and loved the whimsical pieces that started from a simple dream!  So, we asked her to share her creative tale…

1) Tell me about Amberie. How did you get started? Where did the name come from?

I got started in Sept. 2009. I was on a flight back from the Cote d’Azur, France, nursing a broken heart. I had slaved and saved for all four years of my college career, hoping to spend a year in France learning the language and experiencing the culture. Within less than a month the mother had sent me packing. I will never fully understand how, or why, or the full reasoning behind it. And emergency ticket had to be purchased, and I had to spend the night in the airport. My money was gone, I had bills to pay, and I was in a panic. I had a layover in Healthrow Airport in London and I was wearing a headband that I had designed. It seemed like every other person was giving me a compliment on it – it was then that I began to think that maybe I was on to something.

When I got home I took out of loan of $35 from my boyfriend, and within a week I made my first sale.

Amberie is a play on French vocabulary- in French where things are made or produced (at least in terms of food) they end in -rie. Creating things nourishes me. Amberie!

2) Where do you get your inspiration from?

I usually find it in editorials, new designer collections, and other bloggers. Fellow bloggers usually provide the most inspiration.

3) When did you first realize you loved fashion?

Hmm…I’d have to say when I was 2 years old. My family and I lived in a 3 story home in New York. I was wearing my mother’s new black stilletos, shuffling down the hallway. I was forbidden to go near the stairs in them – but I did anyway. I attempted to decent the stairs in them, and tumbled all the way down. I gave my poor mother a hear attack. I survived, and the obsession was born.

4) What are your favorite looks/ styles?

I’d have to say that my favorite look/style is a soft feminine one, but with a tough, unexpected edge. A pale pink light as air tutu paired with platform 6 inch boots, for example. Or a floral crown paired with black nail polish.

5) What’s your favorite whimsical piece in Amberie?

My favorite whimsical piece would definitely have to be my floral crowns. I love them! While I am happy to see them sell, a part of me is also sad to see them go. I often form emotional attachments to my Amberie pieces.

6) Why do you think it’s important for women to be creative? How does Amberie let you do that?

I think it is very very important for women to be creative. I think creativity gives us independence and a sense of our strength and self worth. Being creative doesn’t have to be painting, or making jewelry – it can be balancing the family check book and finding that extra $20 at the end of the month, it can be writing, or running a business. Thinking outside the box, and thinking for oneself is powerful. No one can take that away from you. Amberie allows me to be creative by constantly forcing me to see things from a different point of view. Since starting Amberie I have learned that if I set a goal for myself, it is up to me to complete that goal. No excuses. I have to be the one to take full responsibility.

7) What’s the best compliment you’ve gotten on a piece?

While I don’t remember what was actually said, I’d have to say the best compliment I ever recieved on a piece was in reference my very first headband. I was in London, at the Heathrow Airport. Whatever that gentleman said to me, inspired me to start my business.

Queen Bitty wants to know what your favorite pie is. She also wants to know what fashion you’d recommend for a Queen.

Aww Queen Bitty! My very very absolute favorite pie is Pink Lady Apple Pie. It is by far my most favorite thing in the entire world. And, the fashion I would recommend for a queen is actually fashion advice: Wear what you want, when you want and ignore the King if he protests. That, and anything that sparkles.

9) What’s the most fashionable character you know from a book? What about a children’s book?

Eloise from the Plaza of course! Her and her little pug were quite the team.

For more about Amberie, go here!

Stay tuned, Invisible Friends!  Tomorrow we have a  new Shimmer and Thursday, a new recipe/ review!

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