PILGERDESIGNS was re-launched in the fall of 2013 by Beth Pilger.
Beth Pilger was born and raised in the mountains of West Virginia in the eastern United States. An avid collector of vintage clothing and knitwear led to an exploration in fiber and felting, producing pieces with contrasting materials and unique elements. Beth studied fashion design at Parsons the New School for Design in New York and honed her skills through stints working as a costumer on Broadway/Off-Broadway, as well as the New York City Ballet. Her love of the imaginative process in both fashion and costuming drives her current design projects while she seeks to blur the line between art and design.
Pilger ‘s debut re-launch culminated with a runway show at Mercedes Benz Fashion Week Amsterdam in January of 2014. Entitled Twisted Consumption, this hand-crafted collection of knit and felted garments garnered attention from Vogue Italia, as well as various other European press. Upcoming projects include a new womens hand knitwear collection scheduled to debut in the winter of 2016.
Beth Pilger is based in Brooklyn, NY.
AN INTERVIEW WITH BETH PILGER, FOUNDER OF PILGER DESIGNS
Describe your brand in five words:
Avant garde, sustainable, luxurious, handcrafted, couture.
How your brand’s mission evolved starting with your first collection?
Initially my focus was finding my aesthetic and purpose as a designer. Since I began in 2010 this focus has evolved into developing work that is not only sustainable but also luxurious.
How sustainability can change fashion industry? Do you think we can see, in the next future, a positive change regarding sustainable design?
We’ve already begun to see designers and manufacturers thinking about sustainability. I believe more and more designers will try in some respect to incorporate sustainability into their work, whether it’s from product development or logistics. We know there’s huge waste in the industry and it’ll take a collaborative effort to make major changes that protect our environment.
In your opinion, will it be the consumer who will facilitate the change in the supply chain or will it be the design and manufacturing industry?
I believe there’s change happening from both perspectives. As more designers and brands incorporate sustainability, that knowledge and awareness get pass onto the consumers, who then begin to have a more connected relationship with their clothing.
What should a customer expect when buying your brand?
I want people to enjoy and be inspired to dress with my designs. Each piece is carefully crafted using sustainable techniques
What drives your inspiration for your design?
Places, people, history. I like my work to have connection to something bigger. I want people to see my work and feel inspired by it.
What was the biggest challenge for you as a designer?
The biggest challenge has been finding profitable ways of scaling hand knitwear. This fall I’ll be presenting not only custom designs but also accessories and a small collection of readily available dresses and jackets.
What we should expect next from you?
A showroom presentation during Paris Fashion Week in September.
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