Today we’d like to introduce you to Amber Seagraves.
Amber, let’s start with your story. We’d love to hear how you got started and how the journey has been so far.
I’m the Creative Director and Founder of Lasso Abode, an Americana inspired lifestyle and travel accessories brand. My designs are inspired by Bohemian, Western and Nordic influences. My sensibility has a heritage aesthetic that also remains modern and current. I often enjoy saying I design for fellow dreamers and wanderers! Because my collection definitely has the vibe of being somewhere else far away because you can often find my pillows in cabins, retreats, stylish campers and desert dwellings. I also enjoy designing travel accessories such as bags, iPad cases and dope kits to take with you on your adventures!
Many of my items are designed in my Silver Lake home and design studio. They are handmade locally in Downtown Los Angeles. Each item is designed with purpose and sustainability in mind. I often work with suede, leather and re-purposed denim and I am mindful of not creating excess waste.
My brand is definitely a reflection of my own personal style, my background and how I live my life. I grew up in St. Louis, Missouri, road tripping, camping and spending my summers on lakes. Ever since I was a kid, I knew I would be a designer of some sort. After high school, I left St. Louis to go to design school and earn my B.F.A. When I graduated college, I lived in London working for Whistles, a fashion retailer. About a year later, I moved to NYC in the late ’90s, which is where I really honed in on my craft designing menswear and womenswear for iconic and heritage brands, including J.Crew and Ralph Lauren.
NYC was great to build my design career and establish myself as a Designer. I spent almost 15 years living in Brooklyn and designing for major brands and toward the end, I was just ready for a change. I had been wanting to move to Los Angeles for some time and I was ready to say goodbye to NYC winters and to my parka! Finally, I got the opportunity to move to L.A. and head up a design division for Guess Jeans in 2013. So in 2013, I ventured out to Los Angeles. Within my first year, my department was shut down and I was laid off. I honestly didn’t mind too much, as I knew I was in the right place living in California and I decided to stay. I spent a year or so consulting for fashion companies and getting situated in my new hometown.
In 2015, I officially started my company, which has two divisions actually. I own and design Lasso Abode, my home and accessories collection. Owning my own design business had been something I had been thinking of pretty much my whole career. I had always been a menswear and womenswear designer so starting a home collection was something new and exciting for me. I had several friends in the indie design scene that really encouraged me to go for it and have my designs produced.
At the same time of launching Lasso Abode, I also launched my other business Amber Seagraves + Co a design and branding studio consulting for other like-minded brands, boutiques and the hotel and leisure industry. AS + CO happened quite naturally as I had always been consulting. With AS + CO, I really enjoy offering my branding and design expertise to help grow and mentor other like-minded companies. Often the two businesses overlap as branding clients will buy my Lasso goods for their own businesses such as interior design firms and local boutiques etc.
So, there you have it, my Missouri roots, NYC design resume and California lifestyle all have greatly influenced my brand and businesses. I absolutely love that I live in my pocket of Silver Lake and get to consult, design and create for fellow design mavericks, dreamers and wanderers!
Great, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
Honestly, one of my biggest obstacles was transitioning from working full-time for other design companies to being a business owner. It definitely took some navigating, as I was employed full-time for 17 years or so. Launching my own brand and consulting firm at the same time was a challenge in literally doing everything on my own for two businesses. I am a fast paced multitasker by nature but it was a lot of late nights, just me on my computer updating line sheets, emailing, doing graphic design work, building websites, watching youtube videos, etc… etc… To be truthful I also missed the bi-weekly paycheck that I was accustomed t.o. Not gonna lie, I had several freak out moments and lonely nights bouncing back by praying as well as listening to marketing and manifestation e-books on Audible! Being a business owner, entrepreneur, solopreneur, risk taker, whatever you want to call… it is not for the faint of heart. BUT, totally worth it for me. I am so happy I stayed on my path and am thankful that year three my businesses are growing and thriving. I know I am right where I am meant to be and really enjoy giving back and sharing my experiences, challenges and expertise with others.
Please tell us about Lasso Abode.
I am a creative director, brand strategist and visionary thinker with expert experience designing a consistent heritage and brand aesthetic that also remains modern and current. I currently own two design companies that often intertwine. I head up Lasso Abode, an Americana lifestyle and travel brand that is often featured in destination homes, cabins, hip campers and desert dwellings. My collection is inspired by Bohemian, Western and Nordic influences that are made in Los Angeles with sustainability and purpose in mind.
I also run Amber Seagraves + Co, a design and branding studio focusing on like-minded companies. I often consult with other designers, boutiques and the travel and leisure industry. My studio fine tunes their branding, website design and marketing needs. Often my AS + CO clients will source and carry Lasso Abode in consulting clients interiors, shops or Airbnbs.
I often say I design for the wanderlust!
Do you look back particularly fondly on any memories from childhood?
At the risk of dating myself, I honestly don’t care people know I’m 42, but I LOVED growing up in the ’70s and 80s. The time before iphones and what not. I often played on the lake, I grew up on in St. Louis, with my sister Stepha. We lived there in early childhood and were sun babies. When I was about 5 and she was 4, we would play at the lake or in the woods by the creek with other kids. We often would swing on a rope from a tree across the creek, have adventures in the woods and run through the neighborhood raising havoc. Another time, I actually drove our big wheel into the lake with my sister on the back… the neighbors had to pull us out. Good times! But, I have wonderful childhood memories of being outside and playing in nature with my sister.
Contact Info:
- Website: shopamberseagraves.com and amberseagraves.com
- Email: [email protected]
- Instagram: @amber.seagraves || @amberseaco
Image Credit:
Amy Bartlam, Natalie Myers, Rachel Mae Furman, Rebecca Buenik, Bridge Ambrose, Veronique Lievre and Heinz, Legler, Amber Seagraves, Joshua Tree Cabin
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