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We found Emily Cadenhead, founder and chief designer of her company – Daughters of the Revolution – at her Southern California location. Emily is, perhaps, the least ‘corporate’ person that might be imagined to be running a growing and successful fashion design and manufacturing company. Maybe it is the candor of her approach to design, so reflective of her upbringing, that people enjoy in her dresses.
In our interview, Emily describes and discusses the big part that her parent’s 60’s lifestyle continues to play in her work now.
She values her chance to work closely with her siblings and husband – all talented contributors to the complex tasks of running a growing design and manufacturing business – and if it was ever thought that the life of a successful dress designer is all parties, celebrities and runway shows, Emily Cadenhead is here to give the straight skinny!
Emily looks into her crystal ball for an image of what we’ll be looking at in the months ahead. She also describes, going back a few years, the most unusual mode of transport used by her mother to pick her up from school – and it wasn’t a minivan!
In short, Emily’s life has been, and remains, as colorful as her dresses.
Daughters of the Revolution is such a memorable, evocative and unlikely name for a clothing design company. How did the idea for the name come to you?
I have relatives that fought in the American Revolutionary War and my parents were hippies who helped promote the revolutionary concept of flower power and peace, as one of six daughters in a large family, during a time of change and awareness, I felt the name Daughters of the Revolution was a perfect fit for the collection I was designing. My husband was the one who thought of it.
Have you had any interaction with the more traditional Daughters of the Revolution?
We are the only Daughters of the Revolution, but there is a Daughters of the American Revolution and I do not have any interaction with them.
Can you imagine your designs being worn by their members today?
Sure why not, every woman should have a soft beautiful Daughters of the Revolution piece in their closet.
What can you tell us about your newest ventures and designs?
Each season I like to incorporate new fabric s and textiles, this season I am working with bamboo and seaweed. When you look at the dress you would never know that the base fiber is seaweed from South Carolina. I have been looking for and working with the few mills that actually manufacture here in the USA.
You’ve said that you were raised by parents you described as ‘hippies’. Your dresses bring to mind the free flowing styles of the 60’s. Was this part of the genesis for your distinctive designs?
Yes. My Mom and Dad were complete hippies. When I was little my mother used to make us tie-dyes outfits. All the kids at school would make fun of me for my crazy tied that I wore every day. She would come pick me up from school on a leopard appaloosa horse. Basically having hippie parents was humiliating when I was a child but my Mother and Father encouraged creativity above all else and having that freedom to express myself has helped lead me on the path that I follow today in my design.
I’ve read that your company is a family business. Tell us a little about your family?
I am the designer, my Sister Ruth and husband Chad handle the business side, and my other sisters Weezy , Gracie and MaryRose are the models for our look books, and my brother in-law Dusty, does all of the production here in sunny California! I think that the best part of what I do is getting to do it with the people that I love! I have a family of hippies and hipsters, with crazy hats and outfits.
You’re a southern California native. Do you still live in So Cal? Can you imagine living in another part of the world? Where might that be?
I have lived in Paris and I am going back this summer for a few months. I have spent a lot of time in New York. I currently live in southern California but I fantasize about moving to Kauai.
Do you think California offers a unique inspiration for designers in any way?
Yes. My inspiration comes from nature, and California has such an abundance of beautiful landscapes, mountains, trees and the Pacific Ocean. California definitely offers a unique kind of inspiration for designers that is not just based on urban fashion but rather an active engaging experience with Mother Nature. Designing a dress for me is not just about a woman going out to lunch but rather going from a swim in the ocean then to lunch.
Your designs appear delicate and very feminine – but as a practical person you must have also made them practical – not just for runway appearances. Can you give us some clues as to what guides you in developing new ideas?
My design philosophy is to create something that is comfortable, classic and timeless while also embracing the concepts of the bohemian adventurer and making it modern by staying within the guidelines of sustainable production practices. I never think about the runway, but rather the real woman who is actually going to wear my design.
You are also a photographer and artist. Aside from your own line what styles and designs also catch your eye?
Oh God! I love it all! But at the moment I am inspired by art nouveau, the 60’s prairie looks, Egon Schiele’s drawings, and anything wild old American Indian. I am also into punk rocks’ raw edges.
Do you take the model photos for DOTR?
Yes, I do most of the time; but I have also worked with a wonderful photographer Veronica Chojnacki, who is truly an artist!
Many celebrities have chosen to appear in DOTR designs. This must be very satisfying for you. You’ve even become a celebrity yourself in many ways. Is that any sort of a burden or just part of the duties that come with being a high profile designer?
That is funny! Celebrities such as Kate Hudson, Julia Roberts and Anne Hathaway have all bought Daughters of the Revolution right out of local boutiques here in Malibu. Going to parties and walking a red carpet is such a small part of what I do - and it is fun!
Can you tell us a little about a day in the life of a fashion designer? It can’t all be flashbulbs and red carpets!
The day in the life of an indie fashion designer is always very diverse. I may do anything from drawing, drafting and draping, or working on making sure the production is on point. We make close to 10,000 garments a year and it gets very complicated very fast! We do the production ourselves and we are always dealing with one thing or another! But the stores we work with are the best and we are so lucky that people love Daughters of the Revolution.
You distribute your products around the world. I read you have more than 200 outlets now. Is that correct?
Yes this is true! We sell around the world on almost every continent!
Does that mean you get to travel frequently?
Yes I love to travel!
Where are your garments manufactured?
Daughters of the Revolution is made in beautiful California!
You’re recognized now for a particular style and pattern. Where do you see that style leading next?
I think my style grows and changes as I do. I just had a baby girl who is about to turn one, and I have developed curves that were not there before so now my designs are even more consciously driven to create shape flattering silhouettes.
Can you give us any clues as to what new looks will be appearing this summer?
This summer Daughters of the Revolution offers 100% organic cottons with lovely delicate prints using pigment dyes offered in cool silhouettes like long skirts and rufflie wrap dresses!
If you haven’t already, can you think where your ideas might translate into men’s’ fashion?
A great mens’ button up shirt, a pair of surf shorts and in one of my prints!
Would you agree that there is plenty of scope to imagine and improve in the world of male clothing design?
That is a beast I am not ready to tackle!
On the personal side, do you get much time for resting?
NO!
What do you like to do with your spare time?
Play with my daughter.
What music do you prefer?
I love Grindermans new record. I am a big Nick Cave Fan.
Pets?
I have three pets - a Scottish Terrier rescue named Mac Bride, a fat Chihuahua named ZooZu, and an outdoor cat named Rainbow.
Your designs seem so ‘user friendly’ and yet finding that level of simplicity is a complicated business these days. What do you think are the most important and useful talents that you’ve brought to your work?
My background in art, design and photography play a huge role in what I bring to my work; starting from my concept sketches through to designing my own prints, doing the photography and the graphic design for my look books, web and print designs. This gives me the freedom and ability to conceptualize and create designs that I love and then I hope people feel the same way as I do.
Finally, can you give us your personal overview of where we might see the fashion world developing in the next couple of years? What should be the priorities for people, often with smaller budgets these days, but still with a desire to be free to enjoy themselves and the clothes that they wear?
I believe fashion is meant to be fun and a creative way to express ourselves. The fashion world will always and constantly be developing and changing. People should buy things that they really love and if they have a smaller budget then it is also great to look for brands that have a positive message and make an effort to be green.
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