In a time when people are rethinking how they dress and how they invest in their wardrobes, originality goes a long way. With endless options orbiting the fashion sphere, it’s nice to connect with a brand that stands for more than just style. Lilian Asterfield by Nicole Deponte puts a novel spin on eco-conscious design. Nicole Deponte, an artist who attended Massachusetts College of Art and Design (where she was a sculpture major), creates chic and unique handmade necklaces, ascots, neckerchiefs, and even belts by upcycling vintage ties. Her Lilian Asterfield collection blossomed just as her art career was taking off, with shows at the Judi Rotenberg Gallery and Art Basel Miami. Her do-it-yourself meets romantic-urban style has been blowing up at indie craft shows, attracting influential clients and fans from local style bloggers to MTV along the way.
How did your art career evolve into accessory design? About two years ago, I started working at Turtle in the South End while I was showing my work at galleries and doing a small line of jewelry that was sold at the store. I was starting to pull away from the fine-art thing and was becoming inspired by what others were doing.
My twin brother, who’s a fashion designer in Chicago, and I began collaborating at the time. He does steampunk clothing, which has an edgy dandy look, so I started creating accessories for him. I was given a few bags of ties, including some of my grandfather’s, who had just passed away. I knew I could do something with the ties. We did a launch event at Turtle. It went well, and people started getting excited about what I was doing, which is when I decided there was nothing to lose.
Who exactly is Lilian Asterfield? Lilian Asterfield is an alter ego. The name came from my grandfather, who has long been my style icon. When I think of neckties, I think of my grandfather. Lilian Asterfield was his pet name for my mother (whose name is Sarah) growing up. It’s as if you are being Lilian Asterfield at that moment, like a tomboyish English girl running through the countryside in her pretty little dress covered in grass stains and mud, with feathers in her hair, birds and chipmunks on her shoulders.
Where do you find the ties you work with? I do auctions, eBay, and, of course, regular visits to Salvation Armies in the area. I walk in [to the Salvation Army] and they know me by name. They’ll put ties on the side for me. I’ve probably had a thousand neckties go through my studio.
You sell at Salmagundi in Jamaica Plain as well as Turtle in the South End. Where else do you sell your wares? Check out my Etsy shop (
www.lilianasterfield.etsy.com). I also get a lot of calls for custom work. Or come visit me at a show. I started doing indie craft fairs
over the holidays last year.
What’s next for Lilian Asterfield by Nicole Deponte? I have a few new designs I’m going to be working on — a headband and a unisex messenger bag. I’m trying to develop more men’s pieces, like simplified and layered ties and a masculine wrap cuff. I’m just doing as much as I can do. There are a lot of designers who will go full throttle too fast and end up failing. I don’t want to end up like that, and I want to keep it rolling forward rather than having to pull back.
Check out www.nicoledeponte.com to see more of Deponte's work and upcoming show dates.
