Independents' Day // Thistle and Clover

When is a store more than a store? Well, in the capable (and creative) hands of Rand Niederhoffer and Camilla Gale, Brooklyn boutique Thistle & Clover is a vibrant hub of local design. The pair has remained true to their mission since first opening their shop two years ago on a bustling stretch of DeKalb Avenue in Fort Greene. With yearly Open Calls for designers, they often give young designers their first shot.

Uncannily tuned in to what's next, Camilla and Rand continue to support the community that has naturally blossomed around their store. When we asked them to curate a group of some of the designers they're most excited about lately, we knew we'd be in for a sparkling conversation. What we didn't necessarily expect, however, was to hear such an honest conversation about what it's like to maintain an independent business during a time when the entire industry is in flux, staying true to yourself as a creative spirit, and as a woman designer.

Thus, we found ourselves traversing the borough in pursuit of three of Brooklyn's finest: We found Caitlin Mociun, a former textile designer for whom sustainability is both the means and the muse, at her sunny studio in Park Slope. Ellen Dusen of Dusen Dusen creates her arresting graphic prints (no doubt inspired by her background, studying the brain's response to imagery) in Bushwick. And at home in Williamsburg, we found Sarah Seilbach of Edelweiss by Sarah working on new patterns for her effortlessly feminine frocks. It's all in a day's work for these Brooklyn designers.

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Category:

Entertainment

Tags:

• Khari Mateen
• VideoSquared
• Ava Wiland
• Rafael Salazar
• shopping
• style
• Thistle and Clover
• Dusen Dusen
• Ellen Dusen
• Caitlin Mociun
• Edelweiss by Sarah
• Sarah Seilbach
• Brooklyn
• Fort Greene
• Angela Cravens
• arcade44.tv