Desert Sun Brand - Anna Lakatos

Specialized in Design.

Desert Sun Brand - Anna Lakatos

About Desert Sun Brand - Anna Lakatos

Founded in 2014, Desert Sun brings together the various inspirations of its designer, Anna Lakatos. The designer spent a lot of time traveling during her childhood, growing up in various European countries, as well as having lived in Paris, New York and London for her studies in fashion (Mod’Art Paris and London College of Fashion) and music management (MA - London Metropolitan University). Anna Lakatos has worked in a great variety of segments of the fashion and music industries, including international brands such as Marc Jacobs, Topshop and Rick Owens. Inspired by her love of the 1970s, her travels, cultural discoveries and her studies of authenticity within country music, Desert Sun’s collections combine elements of nostalgia with a modern twist, resulting in easy to wear pieces. Desert Sun’s products share a 1970’s vibe, mixing imageries inspired by road trips through America, folk music, southern gothic books and movies such as Badlands, Dazed & Confused and Zabriskie Point. Each collection is different and stands out with a specific theme (such as Corn Field, Dreamer, Canyon, Joshua Tree...). These collections aim to bring the customers to different sceneries and times, with the help of vintage inspired shapes, and fabrics, vivid patterns and mostly with their popular details such as embroideries.

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Interview with Desert Sun Brand - Anna Lakatos

Could you please tell us more about your art and design background? What made you become an artist/designer? Have you always wanted to be a designer?
Yes, as far as I can remember I have always wanted to work in fashion. I was always drawing outfits in little books as a kid. I studied fashion management at Mod’Art in Paris and London College of Fashion, and followed short courses at Central Saint Martins.
Can you tell us more about your company / design studio?
Soon after finishing my MA, I started creating custom pieces for my friends and family and it gradually became Desert Sun Brand. We’re still a small team and I like that about Desert Sun. We create two collections a year and make custom pieces for customers and artists.
What was the first thing you designed for a company?
The first piece we created was Desert Sun’s “On the Road” dress. And it is still our bestseller!
What is your favorite material / platform / technology?
We love combining simple fabrics (for example cotton) with embellishments such as embroideries, rhinestones, shaped collars…
When do you feel the most creative?
We usually have themes for each collection. I am definitely feeling the most creative when this inspiration/theme pops in my mind and all these ideas appear magically.
Which aspects of a design do you focus more during designing?
I believe every step counts. From the selection of fabric, to the design itself and then the production. We definitely focus a lot on the wearable aspect of our pieces. The design has to stand out and be unique but it also has to be comfortable and long lasting.
What kind of emotions do you feel when you design?
I am definitely very inspired when I design. I am a monomaniac, so when I am inspired by something all I do is research that specific thing and immerse myself into that world.
What kind of emotions do you feel when your designs are realized?
I am definitely excited by the end result and how people are going to react to the design, but I’m also kind of submerging myself into the next collection by then.
What makes a design successful?
In fashion everything moves so quickly. Trends come and go. We believe in slow fashion, and we sell designs from previous collections too. So when people are still buying and wearing pieces from a past collection, it always makes me happy. I think a design in fashion is successful if it is still relevant years later.
From your point of view, what are the responsibilities of a designer for society and environment?
I believe that thinking about society and environment when designing is inevitable, especially in this day and age. There is a lot of talk about how fashion companies can be more eco-friendly nowadays and it is often very difficult for small companies to become 100% sustainable in everything day do. Because it does mean that you have to change the way you design and produce your products and it can often cost more too. I feel like in people’s mind this subject has to be black and white, but if companies started with small steps towards their eco-conscious operations, that would already be a big development.
Where does the design inspiration for your works come from? How do you feed your creativity? What are your sources of inspirations?
I usually design my collections with themes in mind. I am definitely not confined to these themes, but that’s how I’ve worked so far and that is how I get inspired. I do a lot of research usually, I like to read books, search the internet for images, watch movies, go to concerts and exhibitions,… However, my inspirations can come from random places; a specific color, a verse from a song, an old memory,…
How would you describe your design style? What made you explore more this style and what are the main characteristics of your style? What's your approach to design?
I think my collections can definitely be described as 1970’s inspired. I think that is the common thread between my collections. I am also inspired by music (I studied music industry management) and road trips and I think that definitely shows in my creations. I think the shapes, the colors and the prints/embroideries all contribute to the carefree sentiment of travelling and a feeling of nostalgia you get when you listen to your favorite song.
How long does it take to design an object from beginning to end?
It really depends on the specific piece. Sometime I have a set idea and thus design the piece very quickly other times, I work and re-work a design multiple times, change details (whether it is the fabric, the embroidery, even the shape of the piece) until I am a 100% happy with it.
What are your future plans? What is next for you?
Our next collections (we have two collections each year) are being designed right now and will come out this September!
How can people contact you?
Through Desert Sun's website www.desertsunbrand.com or at contact@desertsunbrand.com

Extended Interview with Desert Sun Brand - Anna Lakatos

Could you please tell us about your experience as a designer, artist, architect or creator?
I studied fashion management at Mod’Art in Paris and London College of Fashion, and followed short courses at Central Saint Martins.
How did you become a designer?
As far as I can remember I have always wanted to work in fashion. I was always drawing outfits as a kid. I think I have a creative mind, so I’ll always think of something creative to do, even when I’m not working on my fashion designs.
What are your priorities, technique and style when designing?
I never really chose to become a fashion designer. I studied fashion management and then music industry management. After graduating, I started creating custom pieces for my friends and family and it gradually became Desert Sun Brand.
Which emotions do you feel when designing?
I design womenswear, and sometime menswear, but I’d definitely like to design more for men and maybe accessories such as shoes too.
What are your advices to designers who are at the beginning of their career?
In fashion everything moves so quickly. Trends come and go. We believe in slow fashion, and we sell designs from previous collections too. So when people are still buying and wearing pieces from a past collection, it always makes me happy. I think a good design in fashion is when it is still relevant years later.
What is your day to day look like?
More customs pieces for artists and musicians. I love to design unique pieces that reflect one’s personality.
Would you tell us more about your work culture and business philosophy?
I studied marketing and branding so I think that’s what I would do.

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