Fashion designer R. Brooke Priddy creates wearable art (calling them “dresses” would be a disservice). She builds each garment much like an artist would shape a sculpture, forgoing trends and focusing on the form and what makes her clients feel beautiful.
Priddy describes her design style as “an homage to the body.” Her ideal technique? Designing on the person. “When I’m working with someone and she’s directly in front of me and we have the ability to interact and I can talk to her and see how she carries herself…I can see what cuts will complement her better when she’s there.” Priddy adds, “And I can get her reaction. I do the work in front of 360-degree mirrors so they can look and I can see when something looks great on them and when they react positively to it. It makes them stand a little taller and feel a little lighter and that’s when I know I really hit it.” She’s not just a smash with her clientele — Southern Living magazine named Priddy one of its five favorite Asheville designers.
Her work extends beyond her West Asheville storefront and studio. Priddy prides herself on her collaborations in the Asheville community, having worked on projects with LEAF, The Bob Moog Foundation and HATCH. Earlier this year, she created an installation at Cameron Art Museum in Wilmington, using thread spools from abandoned mills — a statement on our state’s textile industry. It was also a big year for Priddy personally, recently marrying Ryan Conrad. And yes, she designed her own dress.
Tell us about your new home. I have lived in West Asheville for almost ten years and it has always felt like home. My husband Ryan and I fell in love with our new home instantly and bought it the week before our wedding. We actually took turns carrying one another over the threshold! We are taking our time with moving in, renovating each room as we go.
Any plans to customize (like with your dresses)? Part of the main attraction to the new home was the beautiful lower level with a separate entrance. I have decided to move my dressmaking studio into this space — creating an all-new Ship to Shore Shop at 85 State Street. I work exclusively by commission, and when I host my clients it is a very private experience. Being open by appointment only, I have no need for a retail storefront to do my work. I have always wanted to plant a dye garden and dry my hand-dyed fabrics on the line in the sun and now I can create that scenario.
Project you’re most proud of? I often create performance and installation works, and I was thrilled to be shown at the Southeastern Center for the Contemporary Art this past year. I created three new works for this show: a dress that walked on water in camouflage on a lake, a dress made of red clay and a dress made from threads of the history of North Carolina’s textile industry.
What’s your fabric of choice? Modal is my absolute favorite and silk jersey blends, too.
Loving any of the latest fashion trends? I save the love for those that last…a classic, something timeless like a beautifully fitted glove or a draped backless gown.
What’s your most prized possession? Excaliburs, my trusty scissors.
How did you acquire Excaliburs? They presented themselves to me in NYC’s garment district when I first began my business in 2000. I have been using them daily ever since. They rarely seem to dull and have proven to be quite lucky to me.
Do you collect anything? I collect lace. My grandmother, Marcheta, crocheted and collected lace. She was the keeper of a great amount of handmade lace — it was a history of American needlework and craft. She would tour a display of her collection at libraries and community centers in the South. She inspired me to appreciate and strive for skilled handwork. I display many of her pieces in my studio.
So many of the wedding dresses you design have personal stories behind them. Can you tell us about yours? My grandmother was crocheting an overlay for me for my wedding gown. She passed away before she could finish. I went to great lengths to find a suitable lace that she would have approved of.
What’s your favorite space in your house? The clawfoot tub — it’s a place of peace and relaxation.
Favorite late-night nosh? The Hop West’s almond milk ice cream.
What’s on your iPod? The yvynyl mixtape series.
Your mantra? Lotus flowers bloom.
Favorite local restaurant? Plant.
Favorite local place to shop? Flying Cloud Farm’s roadside stand with the honor box.
Is there a project at the top of your to-do list or one you’ve wanted to do but haven’t had time? Go to Paris and learn the draping methods of Madame Grès, as taught by Colette Pico.
Stripes or polka-dots? Can’t I have both?
Wine or beer? A Sangiovese, please.
Day person or night person? The moon is a favorite muse.
What’s on the horizon? I hold a big studio clearance sale at the end of every year, but this year I chose to wait til’ February for a Valentines soiree…details will be announced in December at my website and on Ship to Shore’s Facebook page.
Visit www.shiptoshoreshop.com