Today's featured indie designer is Annette Bauer, an American expat living in Bangkok, Thailand, who designs handmade, fair-trade children's clothing inspired by the many cultures in which she has lived in over the years.

Tell us a little about yourself and how you got started as a designer. My name is Annette and I've been living overseas for about ten years now. The expat life has brought me many interesting experiences and opportunities.

I started designing kids' clothing when we were living in Morocco. There were so many wonderful fabrics available in the market. (Many factory remnants from all the textile production there!) When we moved to Thailand I continued the business and have expanded to have things hand-sewn by a wonderful fair-trade development project here. The project is called Hot Chilli Concepts and all their profits go directly to women in need. It feels so great to be supporting these women with my business!

What inspires your work? The countries we have lived (Italy, Uzbekistan, Morocco, and now Thailand) provide so much inspiration. Each country has a unique and rich history of art and design. In Central Asia, for example, I fell in love with Kyrgyz carpets and felt-work. The rugs used by these nomadic people are masterpieces! I love incorporating local products (little hand-crocheted buttons from Morocco, for example) into my work.

Who are your favorite designers? Fabrics by Kaffe Fasset and Marimekko. Furniture by Eames and most things Scandinavian. Marni and Prada to admire from afar. A Thai shop called Soda and another called FlyNow for clothing ...

What are your top fashion & beauty must-haves? "Bebe Zartcreme," a German baby cream that I love for face and hands, lemongrass soap made by the women of Hot Chilli, my silver bangle from Turkmenistan, a pair of brown Prada boots that I found years ago in an outlet shop, and my Moroccan embroidered felt bead necklace.


Any advice you would give to aspiring designers? I think it is very important to create things you love, not just what you think will sell.

Where can people find your work? Vivimimo.com and on Etsy at happyexpat.


We love all of the amazing independent designers out there and we wanted to find out more about what makes these creative types tick. If you do too, check out more of our Indie Designer Interviews.