FT:  You’re making lingerie. Why underwear and how is this different from your other fashion endeavors?

RAT: It all started when I scored about 5 yards of lace at a garage sale. It was a really pretty floral and I wanted to do something cool and less traditional with it. I had always been a bit frustrated with the fit of most underwear and couldn’t find cute lingerie that I felt comfortable in until I came across some Gap Body underwear a few years ago. The first pair was loosely based on their fit. That comfortable fit along with my love of lace and vintage, brought about the underwear.

FT: There seems to be a real ignorance or just outright disregard for comfort and fit in the lingerie/underwear market. You would think the industry is dominated by men who are not wearing the product but that doesn’t seem to be the case. Have people gotten tired of being told what they should wear and realized they can have their cake and eat it too?

RAT: I think there’s a time and a place for underwear that doesn’t show a panty line, I am not a fan of visible panty lines, however I am also not wearing skin-tight skirts everyday. I think there is something much more sexy in a fantastic pair of underwear that flatters and shows off the body in a more seductive way than just the lack of material. People have asked me if I ever do thongs and I think, “what’s the point?” I have much more fun designing something that will be seen.

FT:  Is music a part of your process? Tell us more.

RAT: Music is definitely a part of my creative process. One of the reasons that I insist on having a personal studio space wherever I have lived is so that I can break out and dance with nobody being the wiser (with the extraordinary exception of my old roommate in Brooklyn, who shared a studio and dance breaks with me!). My ipod is constantly playing anything ranging from Reggae to Mexican rap, from chicks who rock, to an occasional Spanish lesson. My dream is to have a “Dance and Make Pants” party, integrating my two loves.

FT: You spent some time in New York refining your skills. What brought you back to Denver?

RAT: I really did love Brooklyn and met some amazing people there, but I went to New York for FIT, so when the program ended it was just sort of the right time to come home. It’s kind of funny that I did way less fashion in the city that’s known for it, but friends and family affect my ability and desire to create, and they were all mostly here. It was just too much a struggle to try and build a brand there.

FT: New York is still a place of massive creative output and design resources like FIT. Given the cost of living I would assume there’s a unique advantage to a smaller  more modest  city  in that it affords you the time to commit to your creative endeavors. In other words, cheap rent means less time working, more time making.  Thoughts?

RAT: Yes, that’s exactly right. I am soooo lucky to have the family that I do. Both of my parents are artists, my mom’s a jeweler and my dad’s a ceramicist, so they understand the struggling artist thing and have always been supportive of me. My dad still tries to convince me to get “a job” all the time though, because he is from a generation where you couldn’t make a living on art alone. I know plenty of people especially here in Denver that are doing just that, and it’s inspiring. The problem with the fashion industry here is the lack of resources. I miss the New York garment district for sure, you could find absolutely everything in a 3 block radius. But, at the end of the day, my quality of life is way better here and I wouldn’t give that up for anything.

FT: You’ve recently taken the Creative Director position at the Denver Design Incubator. Tell us more about this project.

RAT: It’s been a very intense and educational few months at the DDI. I took over in October and have been working on rebuilding our membership and resources for local designers. My background in pattern making has enabled me to build new partnerships with creative folks in Denver and it’s interesting to see just how much design is taking place here. It’s grown a lot in the 3 years that I was away, and I’m hoping that the DDI can be a place to bridge the gap between design and production. I would love to see more lines made in Denver and think this is a very real possibility.

FT: Any specific lines that you’re excited about that you can share?

RAT: So many greats. I recently discovered “The Portland Collection” and am excited about the revamp of the classic Pendleton, integrating the old weaves with contemporary designs. There are some great bags in the collection too. I also just went to a trunk show at Goldyn and was introduced to a wonderful line called VPL (speaking of visible panty lines). The fit and use of straps and hardware in their bras are just perfect. My favorite local designer right now would have to be Carol Ann Wachter out of Boulder. She has some great new pieces that are sort of classic with an edge.

FT: We met back in 2006 when RAT and Fancy Tiger were just beginning and Denver was somewhat a different animal. Where is Denver going?

RAT: I love Denver and I think that we are getting to be a more fashionable city. Fancy Tiger has been a staple boutique for me here in Denver. You picked up my line in the beginning, which was great and really exciting for me. I remember you asking me how many you could order of one of my designs and I sort of freaked out and didn’t know what you meant. That’s when I realized the importance of production and that if I really wanted to be a serious designer, I needed to learn how to make professional patterns from my designs. The experience in New York has definitely inspired me to share this education to help designers bring their own designs to fruition. RAT was born from my artistic background, making more one of a kind pieces and undergarments for a wider range of people. Now I am focusing on a more sophisticated collection called Minus the Dart, where I will be using my pattern making skills to make apparel for men and women. This transformation I think is natural for any designer, going from one-offs to a cohesive collection. I am happy to see more and more talented designers who have strong collections coming out of Denver.

Rebecca will be  featured this Saturday February 9th from 6pm-9pm at  Fancy Tiger Clothing with an evening devoted to her gorgeous undergarments and bloomers. RSVP Here!