We love annielarson

> Can you briefly introduce yourself?

Annie Larson : I am Annie Larson, a 26 year old fashion designer living in Minneapolis, MN, USA. My primary focus is in knitwear and sweater design, but I enjoy working with all textiles and methods of garment construction. I received a BS in Apparel Design from the U of MN College of Design in 2006, studying and traveling in Italy, France, England, and the Netherlands during this time. For three years after college I designed Juniors and Mens apparel for Target Corporation, but have since resigned to focus on making new work. Now, I am knitting from home every day and opening an online shop for my knitwear collections.

> How did you start designing clothes? Is it something you always wanted to do?

Annie Larson : I started sewing and designing when I was in high school, but didn't know I would pursue fashion design as a career. I wanted to be a professional pianist or an artist! I didn't even become interested in knitting until I started designing sweaters at Target and purchased my knitting machine around the same time, in early 2009.

> What are your sources of inspiration?

Annie Larson : For the work I am producing right now, I am taking a lot of inspiration from a sheet of mix-and-match stickers I found at the thrift store. I pay close attention to color combinations I observe in everyday objects, advertisements, movies, clothing, books, fabrics and so on. I notice what's going on in the fashion world, but it's not my religion. I like to fly by the seat of my pants.

> Fashion, what for?

Annie Larson : Aha! This question! I can only answer for myself and would never try to suggest why fashion should matter to other people.

I love clothes, have always loved clothes, and could talk about clothes with anybody for days. As a designer (specifically in knitwear), I enjoy the process of constructing a piece start to finish just as much as designing the shapes, colors, and patterns. Fashion is funny, and fickle...but it's interesting to me as long as I continue to learn new techniques and expand creatively.

> Which artists would you like to make discover with the readers?

Annie Larson : Hardland/Heartland (www.thereisawe.com) of Minneapolis, true love.

> Your news? Your projects?

Annie Larson : I am launching my online shop at the beginning of May where anyone can purchase made-to-order knit creations. I just finished a big collaborative art project, New Land of Milk and Honey, which was in work for nearly two years. Now, I am really trying to focus on building my label and learning new knitting tricks. Traveling and real-life networking is something I would like to do more of! It's nice to meet people in other cities, especially in mind of future collaborations, something else I am very interested in.

> Your favorite addresses in your city?

Annie Larson : Goodness! I have always loved Caffetto Coffee Shop in south Minneapolis, I used to go there every day to play Scrabble.

Other places I like are the Organ House for crucial jams / ultimate hangout sessions, and Jasmine Deli for my favorite Vietnamese snacks.

> The one question you'd like to be asked?

Annie Larson : "We could really use your vocals, would you like to sing in our band?"

> Favorite drink?

Annie Larson : Coffee! Water!

> Describe a successful evening/night.

Annie Larson : Working late into the evening listening to feel-good music, and settling into the couch to watch anything streaming on Netflix, or biking to a karaoke bar to wail on some soulful tunes with my pals.

> Your last concert?

Annie Larson : Music shows happen pretty frequently in Minneapolis, I think the last thing I saw was Sarah Johnson.

> Your last exhibition?

Annie Larson : Acid Wreath and the Post-Everything
Melted Brain Mess /M/Negalith
All La LA Land: Beyond the Dead End
Eric Carlson and Aaron Anderson at Synchronicity Space in Los Angeles

> A motto?

Annie Larson : Yes! The answer is you!

> One last word?

Annie Larson : Chomp!

Visit me !