Fashion for Rebels

Collektion "Electro Geisha" - Kat von D's favorite dress

Do you know Kat von D, queen of the L.A. tattoo scene? Indeed, the Kat who is now together with Sandra Bullock’s Ex Jesse James. The tattooed-covered beauty is a customer of L.A. fashion designer Pinar Eris. No wonder, after all, Pinar creates interesting fashion that is the epitome of “edgy.”

Pinar (37) is originally from Turkey and has lived in Los Angeles since 1999.

DANA HEIDNER: Was it your dream to be a fashion designer?

PINAR ERIS: It was my childhood dream. Years later I came to the U.S., studied fine arts — and by chance took a fashion design class. I fell immediately in love with it. Then, I graduated in both fine arts and fashion design.

DANA HEIDNER: Was there a reason why you went to the States?

PINAR ERIS: First and foremost I came here to study, but I also wanted to be a little bit away from Turkey, to be alone, and experience how living in another country would be.

Collection "Electro Geisha"

DANA HEIDNER: Who wears your fashion?

PINAR ERIS: Those who are looking for something different than what you would find in boutiques. I would say, I offer an alternative… a mixture of rock, punk and gothic style, without forgetting femininity. Besides Kat von D, who likes to order my clothes online, I did a special outfit for the British singer, Imogen Heap for the Grammys.

Pinar at her latest photo shoot in Hongkong

DANA HEIDNER: What are your ties to Germany?

PINAR ERIS: I have many clients there, and my sister has lived in Germany for 20 years. I mostly visit Frankfurt when I go there, but I really want to visit Berlin someday… I heard a lot of good things about that city.

DANA HEIDNER: What does living in L.A. mean to you?

PINAR ERIS: Honestly, I love L.A. because of the perfect weather and I assume I have that in common with many people here. Fashion is not forward here, even though it is the city of the entertainment industry. It is a very casual environment, a beach city. On the other side, we also have night life. Sometimes it gets pretty boring, but I guess something is missing everywhere, no matter where you are…

DANA HEIDNER: What is it that you want to express with your creations?

Collection "Desire for Flesh"

PINAR ERIS: I don’t think I have a specific aim… this is my art, somehow, and I would just like to offer unique items. I believe we are all very individual human beings, but society and media are trying to make us all same. Maybe my fashion is a kind of rebellion against that. I don’t like trends that much – I feel trends kill our uniqueness.

DANA HEIDNER: Would you call yourself a spiritual person?

PINAR ERIS: I think I would. I don’t believe in the concept of god, hell or heaven that religions created, and I am sure that spirituality means many things to many people. However, I believe in higher consciousness of the mind and I believe we all have it, whether we are aware of it or not. Besides my work, personal growth is very important to me. I guess I am a person who would like to know and feel myself, my surroundings and life in general on a deeper level.

From the Latest Collection "Agoraphilia"

Pinar’s latest collection “Agoraphilia” is scheduled for release by the middle of June.

www.pinareris.com