After multiple visits to Nepal, Michelle Baldwin and Michelle Taylor-Spearman of TDM decided to launch a line of scarves called Nepali. They fell in love with the craftsmanship of the weavers in Nepal along with the colors and fibers of the product. Because they loved the work of the Nepalese women so much, they wanted to help them and their families break out of poverty and give them a consistent income. In addition to helping the weavers afford heathcare and education for their children, the Nepali brand also helps the environment. The scarves are made with materials like silk, bamboo and cashmere and are made with eco-friendly dyes.
I got the chance to talk with co-owner, Michelle Baldwin, about Nepali by TDM’s inspiration, production mishaps and why fashion runs in her blood. Also, for ONE DAY ONLY (Tuesday, Dec. 22) Nepali by TDM Design is giving away one of their beautiful scarves! Click here for more details!
How did you end up designing your own fashion line?
Truly, it just happened. It’s one of those things in life where everything lined up perfectly and this is the result. I was working with textiles before from Nepal and through that business, I was introduced to the women artisans and to the gorgeous, natural fibers such as cashmere available in Nepal.
How did you end up working with women in Nepal to create these scarves?
Years ago, I consulted with a company who was importing rugs from Nepal years ago. That was my first true exposure to the beauty that could be created from such an economically poor country. After visiting Nepal a few times, we were introduced to the felting products that these women create. There were products from blankets, placemats to ornaments. The possibilities seemed endless and the beauty and craftsmanship was superb! Being two women, both with small children, we (Michelle and myself) knew we wanted to give back to this community and to help bring sustainable income to these women. We also were very drawn to help the children.
Have you always been influenced by fashion?
My father was in retail for his entire career so I grew up with fashion. My grandfather was a commercial artist and worked for Macy’s, Bambergers and other department stores in NY. He drew fashion for the newspaper ads. I guess fashion is in my blood!
Why did you decide to design scarves?
I wanted to combine the beauty of the natural fabrics in Nepal, the amazing craftsmanship and contemporary fashion together. So often we find hand-made products in the marketplace that are absolutely lovely, but they have the more “earthy” hand-made look to them. I could see it was possible to create really high quality, fun, affordable, contemporary scarves that would appeal to a broader market; a more contemporary market.
Where do you get your inspiration?
Initially I was inspired by the colors seen throughout Nepal. That is still a huge influence on our design but it’s amazing how inspiration occurs almost everywhere once you open your mind to it. When I’m feeling uninspired, I actually think of the children in Nepal and often their smiles, in my mind, gets my creativity going again!
What’s a typical day for you?
Oh, it’s busy! I start out with the family and getting my two girls ready for school. Then I put my energies towards NEPALI by TDM. Our entire company is run by the two of us (myself and my business partner, Michelle Taylor-Spearman) so we both wear many hats. My work day can start out by working on our upcoming line but will end with me working on a multitude of projects including working on fabrications, working with our team in Nepal, working on colors, pricing, marketing, pr and the list goes on.
What are three things you can’t live without?
My family, my business partner and my friends! They are all such a great foundation that with all of that, it keeps everything else in perspective and makes the daily challenges a bit easier.
Ten years from now, where do you see yourself?
I hope to be doing the same thing as now only on a larger scale. I love it! I only hope that I have a bit more help behind me. I’d actually like to see great success in our gloves, hats, and sweater development. We currently employ over 125 women so I’d love to see that number to at least 500. I’d like to continue to work with our school in Nepal and continue to bring new opportunities to the children there.
What’s the biggest lesson you’ve learned as a designer?
It is really important to believe in yourself and your products. It’s also important to know that if you believe in yourself than anything is possible.
What’s the all-time biggest fashion mistake?
For us, our biggest fashion mistake was to bring a product to market before it was truly perfected in Nepal. Because of this mistake, we now have a production system that we go through to make sure that we can re-create our designs many times before we bring them to market. Because our designs are created here and then sent to Nepal, our Nepalese team needs to figure out how to actually hand-dye the scarves to re-create the designs that we have developed. We give them guidance and have helped them with some of the dyeing techniques, but other techniques they develop on their own in order to create our designs. We brought a great selling design to market in the past, but our team in Nepal was not able to reproduce it so it looked the same each time.
Who is your favorite designer?
There are so many great ones that I couldn’t possibly select just one. I am really drawn to pieces rather than specific designers. I look for pieces that are fun, practical and compliment body figures.
Fashion advice you’d give to current college students:
Ask for help. Seek out great mentors. There are people that have taken the steps you are about to take and their experience is invaluable. Their advice, guidance can not only open doors but can also help save you time.
Don’t forget about Nepali by TDM Design’s ONE DAY giveaway on Tuesday, Dec. 22!!
