Simply Elegant Designs. Specializing in luxuriously soft clothing of bamboo, silk, h**p, and rayon jersey and lace. My work table was set directly on the earth.
Chez Chanterelle designs focus on comfort and beauty combined whether you choose from the casual or formal line. All my life I have loved fashion, design, and sewing. I was fortunate to be homeschooled and encouraged to follow my passion. When I was seven, my family gave me my first sewing machine. We were living under a big tarp at the time…just beginning to create what is now our artistic home a
nd garden sanctuary. I learned to sew while the island breezes caressed me and the beautiful blue ocean and lush green mountains fed my soul. At the age of 10 I sold my first aloha shirt and started to do custom sewing and costuming for theater and musical performances. At age 17, I decided it was time to offer my own line of clothing. I launched my business, Chez Chanterelle, at a fashion show with other Kauai artists. I design elegant yet comfortable clothing for real women. Chez Chanterelle designs stretch, breathe, move and flow to enhance the natural beauty of each woman. I especially love working in rayon, bamboo, and silk fiber jersey which molds and drapes magnificently and excels in comfort and flexibility. I often pair this with stretch lace having high natural fiber content for softness and breathability. Women tell me that wearing my designs is like wearing a second skin, and that they feel as beautiful as they are comfortable – whether they choose from my casual clothing or elegant evening wear. My designs are typically free of buttons, zippers, and snaps, though I am fond of lace back closures, which offer stylized flexibility. Originally, I designed clothing for family. My mother and I are both tall and slender, and my early designs reflect this. My more recent designs better serve women of diverse builds and I continue to evolve in this direction. There are now Chez Chanterelle designs in four stores around Kauai. In my home studio, I move between my sewing room and my other love, the piano. Debussy and Ravel are among my favorite composers and there are hints of impressionism in my new line of silk jersey applique. Until recently I made each and every garment personally. Now I am beginning to implement my dream of growing my business locally by training apprentices who love sewing. Just as I was encouraged to follow my passions in education, so I have followed my inner muse in creating clothing. I am influenced by history, my heritage, the culture around me, designs I see and like, and nature, but I have also been raised to stay in touch with my authentic self, and my clothing reflects this. I believe this authenticity, and the energy that is in clothing created in an artisan environment is part of what draws people to my work. I hope that my clothing brings to each women the joy I have felt creating it….and a whisper of the beautiful tropical island of Kauai where I am blessed to live. Aloha,
Chanterelle
