[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TugZ60B94vk&feature=player_profilepage[/youtube]

What now seems like a long time ago, Pittsburgh was once home to a wonderful artist/designer named Nick Alan.  I first met Nick at an open house /sale of  artwork in Lawrenceville hosted by Nick and Adam Milliron. Adam is very talented as well, but I was especially impressed with Nick’s work. Nick has since taken all that creativity off to the Big Apple, but he is about to launch a new line, and he s using a kickstarter project as a way to raise funds for the project.

Looking at Nick’s work, brought me back to remembering my earlier art work, and all the reasons I made art and what it meant for me. It was such a gift to see the passion, fun, and excitement in his work, as it made me excited about working on artwork again too. I asked Nick some questions for this post, and below is a link to his kickstarter. Consider offering up a few bucks to help this poised-for-success designer continue on his path.

What got you into designing?

I started sewing at a young age. My parents owned an upholstery shop, so at the age of 7 I started learning how to sew. Later I helped out by sewing “piping” for furniture. It was an old cast iron “Singer” sewing machine with a leather belt and foot peddle. I started pretty raw. But it made me the skilled craftsman I am today!

What was your first official piece?

I used to make all of my own clothes that I would wear to school. I had a pretty crazy wardrobe and I used my school like a runway. (i wasn’t getting anything else out of it, so I made the best of it!)

What moves you to create?

My dreams and visions drive me. I see things in my head that I can only express by physically creating them and wearing them. Once I create something and put it out in the universe, it’s overwhelming, the reaction and positive feedback that I get. That drives me even more. It makes me realize that this is what I was meant to do.

Where do you see Nick Alan International in the future?

Everywhere! My main goal with my company is to branch out eventually, opening stores all over the world, that I can run as I see fit. I want to build a company where the employees actually feel appreciated and respected. I know it seems like a side step away from actual fashion design, but customer service and the proper treatment of people is very high on my list. Working retail for so many years made me really see how ridiculous company policies can be. I won’t mention names… but I have worked for my fare share of huge companies, where all the decisions are made by someone who has never once stepped foot in a retail workers shoes. It’s a very sensitive topic for me. I just don’t feel that it is right to put so much pressure on an employee who is severely underpaid, and forced to walk around on hard concrete floors for 8 hours a day in 3″ heels. It’s inhumane. I’m going to change that.

Here is the link to Nick’s Kickstarter!

Here is a link to more info about Nick and his work!