Strange Truth first came to Artists & Fleas in June and this mighty fine designing three-some of Kip Kirkendall, Odessa Straub, Dakota Straub came with a vengeance, determined to hunt and mine the urban landscape for raw materials to fashion into limited edition, high-style superfly pieces. They call it “armor for hard labor or evening carousing.” Here’s the Strange Truth.
Artists & Fleas: Tell us a bit about your collection.
Strange Truth: Our pieces are handmade, original designs – fully produced in our studio in Brooklyn. We deconstruct the traditional western canon, borrowing elements from Japanese and African dye techniques. Our shapes combine tailored fits from menswear and the more fluid draping from womenswear. Our goal is to make high fashion, progressive pieces for affordable prices.
A&F: How long have you been designing? How did you get started?
Strange Truth: Kip Kirkendall has designed high fashion womenswear under her own label, which was sold by such retailers as Saks Fifth Avenue and Neiman Marcus in the 1980s. She currently teaches fashion concept development at Parson’s. Odessa Straub is a sculptor and painter currently attending Cooper Union. Our third partner is Dakota Straub who is a recent graduate of Barnard College. She handles our public relations and web design. We are a mother and daughter partnership launched in June 2010.
A&F: Who is your favorite designer?
Strange Truth: R.I.P. Alexander McQueen
A&F: Who is your target customer?
Strange Truth: Anyone with a strong sense of style and an independent point of view can rock one of our pieces.
A&F: What do you like about selling at Artists & Fleas?
Strange Truth: We love being able to meet our customers and get feedback on our work. Opinionated people make our day.
A&F: Any particularly memorable experiences in the retail of your line?
Strange Truth: “That dress looks good on and comin’ off, babe” – Anonymous Boyfriend
A&F: Is there anything else you’d like the world to know?
Strange Truth: We are conjuring up our fall collection. Greatness is in the works!
See, touch, hear and experience the wonders of Strange Truth every Saturday & Sunday at Artists & Fleas Artist, Designer & Vintage Market in Williamsburg from 12-8pm. There are lots of ways to get to know them – visit their website or follow them on Twitter.
