The 22-year-old designer and student, Kari Vettese, created Marilyn Hatten designs with the idea of embracing the sensual nature of every
woman. Drawing from her cultured Spanish and Italian background, she celebrates strong women and natural beauty. I got to interview the talented designer and discuss everything from her brand to her designs to her journey. Read below to get the scoop on Kari Vettese and Marilyn Hatten:
Her Designs
Vettese has always been an artist. She explained that she always wanted to portray her art and her love for art and design together, so she just combined the two worlds and created Marilyn Hatten on her own.
“I just wanted to create a brand that shows artistry on design.” -Vettese
The MH designs and their shades of nude, earth tones, and white create a casual elegance. Vettese expressed that the concept behind the woman of the brand was to bring back the classic woman with a modern twist. She went on to say that we’ll see that a lot of the designs are classic, but at the same time, with the earth and nude tones, it brings out the simplicity of being a woman.
“We stand for a woman is a woman. There’s no size or color to her, and I feel like the designs really portray that very well.” -Vettese
Vettese explained that the sizes of her designs are not your average small, medium and large.
“Our sizes and fabrics are very forgiving and versatile,” Vettese said. “I wanted everyone to feel included.”
As for her favorite clothing item, Vettese said that if she had to choose one, it would be the Rosa Roja Dress because it has her art on it.
“The red rose was art that I created it and we put that on the design,” Vettese said. “I feel like it’s more personal to me and the brand because of the fact that it stands for artistry and I’m really trying to portray that.”
The Brand
Not only are the designs themselves unique, but the name of the brand is unique as well. Vettese explained that name, Marilyn Hatten, came about for two reasons. First, it comes from a golden colored bougainvillea flower.
“The bougainvillea flower comes in many colors, one of the golden colored bougainvillea flowers is named Marilyn Hatten so I kind of named it after that because that specific color of bougainvillea is found typically in Spanish cultures so since that was a huge inspiration behind the woman and who she is, I felt that connected very well,” Vettese said.
The second meaning,Vettese revealed, is it sounds like a woman’s name. “I just wanted everyone to be like who is she?” Vettese said.
Vettese also expressed that her brand really has no specific or ideal person to wear her designs.
“Honestly, we don’t really put any specific type of women in a box to who we’re reaching. I would say anyone of any age and size, we really just stand for, a woman is a woman so anyone, everyone.” -Vettese
Her Journey
Becoming a designer has definitely not been easy, but Vettese says
she always believes preparation meets opportunity.
“Just staying prepared has really helped me just really knowing my craft and my art very well first and foremost, so you never really get lost on the journey.” -Vettese
Vettese is still in school at USD studying business, but following her passion to become a designer has been nothing but an awesome journey and experience.
As for some advice to younger designers, Vettese says that it’s very important to start where you are with what you have.
“I would say let your craft be your main focus and really sharpen that first.” -VetteseShe adds it’s important to be ready and prepared for when an
opportunity comes along.
The Future
As for the future, Vettese just hopes to reach as many people as possible. Whether it be women, men, boys or girls, she hopes her brand touches them in some way.
“I just really hope the artistry behind the brand and the actual concept reaches many people and just really inspires them to really just feel empowered and confident in who they are.” -Vettese
I for one can’t wait to see what other designs and items she creates on this amazing journey of reminding us all that our inner glow comes from within. Head over to the Marilyn Hatten website to check out the designs and clothing items for yourself!
Also, don’t forget to follow Marilyn Hatten on Instagram to see behind the scenes pictures of the designs and other inspirations!
story online at Sarah Scoop: http://sarahscoop.com/interview-with-kari-vettese-designer-and-creator-of-marilyn-hatten/
Kathryn Abernathy 