Today we’d like to introduce you to Susan Lazear.
Hi Susan, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
My creative path began years ago in the late 1980’s when I developed a link between an electronic knitting machine and a personal computer. It was the first of its kind in the United States, and it led to the start of Cochenille Design Studio, a business I have owned and run since that time. My global market were creatives who used knitting machines. I travelled the world demonstrating the novelty of going from a computer to a finished sweater. As time went on, I started to develop software to support the link, and introduced two software programs for Windows and Mac. Garment Designer allows the user to create patterns for sewing or knitting. Stitch Painter allows people to design on a grid, and this suits the crafts of knitting, beading, weaving, stitching, etc.
For most of my professional career, I worked between teaching at the college level and overseeing my business. I am a trained educator, and taught as a Professor of Fashion. I spent 20 years working for San Diego Mesa College and enjoyed the students immensely. I’m retired from college teaching now, so I have stepped up full time to run and oversee my software business, and it has been a great pleasure.
I’m an active wearable artist, and I enjoy using my software to create garments. I often combine the clothing pattern with textile art techniques, creating the fabric as well. I have a particular interest in using my photography skills to build what I call an engineered garment (where the photo is laid into a garment shape and then printed digitally).
All in all, I am a jack of many trades, and I have a lot of interests which I manage to combine in my business. The creative process is always front and foremost.
Alright, 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?
In the 1990’s I ran my business myself and although it was fun, it demanded a lot of time. Being known as a leader in the technology field was great but learning to manage all things in a small business was a challenge. Fortunately, I had worked for a few years in small businesses in the Fashion industry of San Francisco, and that experience helped me with my own business. I would always recommend that…. get some experience.
Challenges for me came more from knowing who to trust and not to trust in a software development environment. Dealing with competition has always been a challenge to determine what I should do to stand out in the crowd. Still, being your own boss is great.
Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
I love to dabble in textile art. This can be anything from developing the fabric to printing on the surface of a fabric. I can print, dye, weave, knit, sew, and embellish. My mind is always moving. I particularly love to create what I call Mixed Media garments where I am combining techniques.
In the textile art world, I am probably best known for my engineered digital design clothing pieces. I am a photographer at heart, and I enjoy blending a photograph with a clothing pattern to make a unique garment. Maybe it is a sunset from Cardiff Beach, or a shot of the Grand Canyon. For me, it is simply fun to meld photography and clothing shapes.
What would you say have been one of the most important lessons you’ve learned?
The most important lesson I have learned along the way, is to make business decisions rather quickly. Don’t dawdle. If the decision is right, GREAT! If it is wrong, then fix it. It has been a guiding principle that has moved me along.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.cochenille.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/cochenilledesignstudio/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CochenilleDesignStudio/
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/user/CochenilleSoftware
Image Credits
Models: Kristy Rodenbaugh and Melissa McInnis
Photographers: Howard Max and Natasha Hayes
Stylish: Liese Hoffmire
