Twigable: Stuff Worth Talking About

There is something so magical about a flowy skirt and the great big whirl of the fabric as a little girl (or big girl) twirls around. The other day my niece was dressed for a family get together and spun around. She exclaimed, “Look a teacup!” It was as if she imagined herself a princess in a fairytale. Her great big smile was priceless, full of wonder.

Check out our Twigable Mother’s Day feature interview with TwirlyGirl Designer/Owner, Cynthia Jamin.
Written by Codie Brenner
Thursday, 23 April 2009 02:58

What’s at the heart of wearing a TwirlyGirl dress?

Inspiring creativity and empowering individuality. Feeling a sense of ease and comfort with one's body and spirit. Fun, joy and imagination. "When I wear a TwirlyGirl dress, it feels like I have the power to do anything." Roxy (age 8)

Who or what inspired you to take a break from your acting career to start the company?

I was already taking a break from acting because I didn't like waiting for the odd job now and again for me to feel creative and productive. I had no idea what would take its place - I guess I was just open to whatever came next. Saying "yes" to what was in front of me and following that energy. I happened to take a few sewing lessons and loved the instant gratification I received from creating something and then being able to use it.

Creativity is an essential part of life. How has founding TwirlyGirl allowed you to instill in your girls a sense of imagination?

The interesting thing is that for me, it was the other way around. I didn't have a "normal" childhood. Due to circumstances beyond my control, I had to grow up a lot faster than I should have. At 7 years old, I felt the weight of the world and really stopped imagining in the way that children do. The purity, the sense of discovery and wonder, the innocence and curiosity that comes with being a kid - I've actually learned from my girls. They are the ones that have inspired my imagination and sparked all the designs I create. I watch them play and the things they love to do and how they like to express themselves. I see how they move and live in their clothes. How they react to certain fabrics and fits. My goal is to have the clothing enhance their experience in some way.

How has growing up a “twirlygirl” had an impact on your daughters?

It's been good for them to see me creating something and being successful at it - and even if I wasn't successful- that I'm doing something that I believe in. Roxy has started her own tutoring business, figuring out how to promote it etc. She hears me talk a lot of shop on the phone. Lola is my fit model and loves moving around in the clothing, testing it out - her input is crucial.

I don't put TwirlyGirl "first" but they know it's important to me and I do give it a lot of my attention. In the beginning, they were jealous and felt that I loved TG more than them - like another sibling in the house. Now that time has passed and they see it hasn't taken me away from them but allowed them to become more involved in something special, they have come to love it. I don't force them to wear the clothing at all, I do ask their opinions all the time and they know what a big influence they are on the company and me. (They do happen to wear the clothes all the time out of choice and that means the world to me.)

It seems you’ve created a fashion sub-culture with these adorable clothes. I noticed that several celebrity moms have TwirlyGirl for their own little princesses. How has the celebrity factor added to the popularity of your business?

I do think TwirlyGirl fills a niche in the market, I hadn't thought of it as a sub-culture - but I like that! I have to say the celebrity factor hasn't been an influence with the line so far. I only think lines get a big boost from celebrities if there is actually a photo taken and credit given in publications like People or US. If there is no picture then it doesn't really matter. I do think that if TG were featured on a celebrity's child, it would be nice but it's not my goal at all.

What means the most is the fan email I receive from all across the country, totally unsolicited. It makes my day that their child is so happy wearing TwirlyGirl. As long as the girls are having fun and enjoying all the fabrics and fun prints - then they are the true stars in my eyes (sounds a bit hokey but it's really how I feel). We donate a lot of clothing to schools and worthy causes.

What do you love most about designing children’s clothing?

The fact that there are no fashion do's and don't's. I am not a fashionista nor have I ever cared about what was trendy. I love that I can be completely bold in my choices of designs, colors and prints and there are no limitations. Designing for the everyday is also more appealing to me than the one-time fancy item that's only worn 2x a year. I love figuring out what they are going to want to LIVE in and not want to take off. From the ages of 2 to 12 is the time for girls to wear wings on the back of a dress and full circle skirts to play in, coats with tons of pockets to pick up all the wonderful treasures of the day and funky wild colors that make them feel like they are walking on sunshine (love that song).

Is the L.A. fashion district like being a kid in a candy store? What elements do you look for in fabrics you select?

I LOVE shopping for fabric and yes, that's exactly the way I feel - it's so exciting to see all the wonderful designs that talented artists create for textiles. They are a source of inspiration - the fabric lends itself to certain clothing items just by the way it looks.

If I see a print I love, the first thing I do is feel it. It has to SOFT and a good weight. If it's neither of those things, it doesn't matter how beautiful it is, I won't use it. I'm lucky that I've found really wonderful vendors downtown who consistently get beautiful and unique fabrics in stock. I also pick from a stock of paper prints that I have put onto fabrics that I choose. That's a fun process as well and it gives me a little more control - the most difficult colors to find are orange, purple, and gradations of colors. I tend to print a lot of those.

The layering look is popular. Is TwirlyGirl considering branching out into a line for tweens?

I go up to size 12 and I would love to have a separate division for Tweens. That is definitely a goal of mine as well as a small line for women.

Recent trends in the news include a lean toward more modest fashions. What is your opinion on the importance of modesty in the children’s clothing industry?

The only design rule I stick by is that my clothing be age-appropriate. I don't see the point of making children - even tweens - look like young women. They aren't. Their bodies are totally different, they aren't emotionally ready for the kind of attention that they can get when wearing really short skirts or shorts, tight jeans and low cut tops. I don't think they should look puritanical, far from it - but there is a line that I think has been crossed. I want to see girls being comfortable wearing clothes that are fun and hip. I also think that designers have a responsibility to be respectful of where children are in their development. I am passionate about this and feel I have been true to this vision from the start. I can't wait to get my Tween line going as I feel they are a neglected population in this area. They are forced to buy adult fashions because there aren't a lot of lines that address their specific needs.

Spring is a time for new life. What new this season for TwirlyGirl?

Everything in the line is done in limited runs so I'm constantly changing prints so girls get that one-of-a-kind appeal.

I'm a really excited some new items that I've created for the wholesale markets for Spring '10 (they show these fashions this August for next year) and I will have them available for sale on my website this Summer 09 to see how they go.

• The "Pinwheel". It's a short sleeve twirly dress but with beautiful ribbons of fabric attached to the empire waist, lots of contrasting prints and delicate spaghetti straps in the back. It looks amazing when they spin around.

• Trapeze Dress. It's a take off from the 60's. It's a full cut A-line dress that will twirl, made from silky soft poly charmeause (easy to wash and wear) and super vibrant fun prints. They come with a bandana or headband made the TG way.

• Shorts and Halter. Last Summer I couldn't find a pair of shorts that were appropriate, I was amazed how short and skimpy everything was and how they were made from denim or stiff cottons. I created some shorts that are mid-thigh, soft jersey prints with a 1 1/2 inch elastic waist. The top is a great little halter with a full cut on the bottom so nothing is constricting. The halter will be made out of soft jersey contrasting prints while at the same time complimenting the shorts they go with.

I plan to keep these new styles very affordable. I don't think it's necessary to pay a high price for great quality, unique, fun clothing. I want the line to be as accessible as it can be while still manufacturing and buying my fabrics in Los Angeles.

TwirlyGirl is carried in over 100 locations worldwide and is available online at www.twirlygirlshop.com. Remember, it takes a twirl to raise a girl.
“Every child on this planet is vibrant and extraordinary. I'm proud to create clothing that helps them feel that way.” – Cynthia Jamin