River Takada-Capel, creative director and designer behind Riverbasin Outfitters, just has it going on. Cool name? Check. Righteous look? Check. Captivating story? Check. A little Southern-ish charm? Check.
Artists& Fleas: Who are you and what do you do?
River: I make things from all over the place! I rework items I get from yard sales, flea markets, hand-me-downs, etc. I’m drawn to stripes, plaid, flowers and hearts. I cut up the clothes, hand-dye them, screen print bicycles, anchors and recycle hearts. Then I sew them back together. I like working with things no one else wants and make them wearable again.
A&F: Is there one particular look or item that you are known for?
River: My staple pieces are pillow case tube dresses (made from a pillowcase! it has ribbon tie straps and pockets), field dresses (for the ladies with hips – mixed fabric panels, straps and pockets) and the Oxford 5 dress (made from 5 oxford men’s shirts). These are my best sellers, I make more every season!
A&F: Who and what inspires you?
River: Old school designers – Madeline Vionnet, CoCo Chanel. Women pioneers – Amelia Earhart, Frida Kahlo. Vintage clothes – when I’m sourcing materials at thrift stores I find the most amazing clothes that I learn from.
A&F: What kind of messsage do you hope or intend for your clothing to present to others?
River: Reuse & repair!! I like it when people look at my stuff and say “I could do that”. Yes! Do it! Go home, pull things out of your closet that you never wear – shred it, crop it, make it new and then sport it.
A&F: Where are you originally from?
River: I was born in Tokyo. My mom is Japanese and my dad is from North Carolina. I grew up state side but visited my family in Tokyo every year. I am so inspired by Japanese fashion and street wear. There’s all the crazy stuff you might see on blogs and in magazines but Japanese style is also very sleek and clean. There’s also the layering. I love layering. Then being in North Carolina grounds me. It keeps my clothing practical – good for going to the market, biking around town, going for a hike and having an active life in general.
A&F: If you had the opportunity to have a totally different career anywhere in the world, what and where would it be?
River: I would love to teach children in Africa, do disaster relief work, explore different energy sources – become an engineer. I think about giving/ selling everything I own and sailing around the world – helping teach people to sew and help start up business in developing communities. I think no matter where I go I’ll still want/ need to create things to stay sane.
A&F: What do you like about selling in Brooklyn and Artists & Fleas?
River: This is totally my target audience. There are so many young people with style – my ideal customer. The location is great and since it’s open every weekend, people know to stop by and browse. Also, the music is great. It’s like my dream pandora station – a never ending mix tape made just for me! 
A&F: If you could relive a day in your life, which one would it be and why?
River: I recently tagged along with my mom on a work retreat to St. Thomas in the Virgin Islands. I had a great time and met my boyfriend there! We had an amazing day sailing, snorkeling, drinking, swoimming in the dreamy ocean water under a near full moon and talking all night on the beach. If we could do that again, I wouldn’t object!
Check out River Basinoutfitters online, on ETSY and on Facebook or just check out what River is bringing to the market later this Fall.
