"I Have Been A Fashion Designer Since 1978" Heart Of Haute Owner Teresa Becker Talks Fashion Designing And More

I'm always on the lookout for brands to introduce to my audience - When I found Heart Of Haute. It's a shop based in L.A. that's run by a Mother-daughter team Mandie Bee and Teresa Becker. Madie Bee took a liking to vintage fashion at an early age, she started out selling vintage fashion online in the early 2000s. Teresa, on the other hand, was a fashion designer in the L.A. fashion industry. Together they created Heart Of Haute. Since then, they've won numerous awards for creating jobs for people in the local L.A. area. I spoke to them to get to know more about their shop.

Q: What made you fall in love with pinup/vintage style fashion?

A: “The classic cuts from the 40s and 50s and the beautiful details, the cuts and fabrics of that time are what inspires me.  My mother was young during those years and she wore these lovely original styles.”

Q: How did you get involved with vintage/pinup style fashion?

A: "I have been designing clothing since the 70s.  There was a revival of this look then, and it keeps coming back for a reason.  It is, in my opinion, the best design lines for modern women."

Q: What made you two decide to open Heartofhaute?

A: "We started as Heartbreaker Fashion in 2005, then changed the name in 2012.  I have been a fashion designer since 1978 and my daughter was showing an interest in "vintage" fashions around 2005, selling things on eBay.  She is the marketing and creative director for our brand."

Q: Do any vintage designers (Like Edith Head for example) inspire your designs?

A: "No particular designer of the time is more influential to me.  I love all of them!"

Q: Which old Hollywood movie star (Like Marylin Monroe for example) inspires your designs the most and why?

A: "I like Audrey Hepburn's looks.  Our look is more demure."

Q: Which era do you base your designs on the most and why?

A: "We are known as a 50s brand, but I like the 40s.  My daughter likes the 60s - so we are in that range, though now that the 70s are coming back around we will likely dabble in that."

Q: In your opinion, what’s your best collection so-far and why?

A: "Monetarily it was the 2012 collection - however, my opinion is that my most recent collection is always going to be the best!  I think we get better with age. "

Q: Which item do you recommend buying the most?

A: "We sell lots of variety in our line but I recommend buying the pieces that suit the customer best.  If I tell you something is a best seller, it may not be the style best suited for the customer, while some of the less popular selling designs are sometimes the most wonderful!"

Q: How did you start designing?

A: "I worked with my grandmother when I was 5 years old making doll clothes.  She sewed for an interior designer and would bring me scraps of fabric when she visited.  Then at age 8 I got a sewing machine and taught myself how to use it. I was motivated to make the runway fashions (yes, I followed Fashion Design since I was 8) and made my own creations by trial and error."

Q: Do you wear your own designs?

A: "Yes. Only my own designs since I was a teen."

Q: Any up and coming projects we can look forward to?

A: "My daughter is experimenting with art. We collaborate on ideas and color schemes. We will be making more of our own prints and keep showing them with matching solids."