Corridor40

German designer Erika Bates is notorious for incorporating a little sex into her designs. Her ss10 collection, inspired by decades passed, has a wonderfully nostalgic feel, but could also be described as youthful, innocent and–of course–provocative. She launched her line, Erika Hendrix, in Oklahoma in 2005, but has since relocated to her native Germany and has been steadily emerging as one of the country’s best up-and-coming talents. If you missed her during Paris Fashion Week, it’s okay; her influence on the fashion world has only just begun.

I recently had a chance to interview the fashion phenom, who is graciously offering a 15% discount to all C40 readers who spend 50+ euros on her site. Just type in the code CORRIDOR40 at checkout for the discount. This is definitely a deal no fashionista should pass up!

Q: When and how did you get your start in clothing design?

A: I have always been creative. During my apprenticeship in interior design/window dressing in 2003, I started sewing. I didn’t want to keep the clothes, but sell them and make other people happy–so I went to a few local stores and showed them my pieces, and they loved them and took them in on consignment. I started my label in 2005 and it all evolved from there.

Q: When designing your clothes, where do you find inspiration?

A: I pick a theme, and get inspired by that. So, it depends on the theme–but I can find inspiration anywhere: people, art, music, movies, books, friends, etc.

Q: Where do you make your clothes, and do you do it all by yourself?

A: Everything is made in my little studio in the back of my store. I currently have two interns who started in November 2009 and will be there until June 2010. They do a lot–sew, cut, help in the store, etc. Some days I’ll say, “Okay, you will make necklaces or flower headbands today. Do whatever you want; go crazy!” I think they like those days the best, because they can just be creative in their own way.

Q: Why did you decide to open your own store?

A: In November 2008, we had to move back to Germany due to my husbands job in the military–and I needed a new studio, so I found this amazing little store and opened it in February 2009. It’s great to have customers come in everyday and to see what they like and what looks good on a real person!

Q: Can you give me a few highlights of your experience at Paris Fashion Week?

A: I got an email, asking if I wanted to be at the showroom–and I was really excited! It wasn’t as well organized by the people as I hoped, but it was a good experience!

Q: I love your current collection, “Baby you’re the ginchiest.” What inspired the name and look of the collection?

A: My SS10 collection is inspired by the ’50s. I was very inspired by Gil Elvgren’s paintings, and the movies Grease and Pleasantville. “Baby, you’re the ginchiest!” was popularized by actor Edd Byrnes on the TV show “77 Sunset Strip”, and means “the attribute of being cool, in the sense that others admire you for your appearance.”

Q: Can you tell us what you have in store for your next collection?

A: My collection for AW10 is inspired by my Native American heritage; I am very excited about that!

Q: What is unique about German fashion?

A: I don’t know if German fashion is any different from other places. I think every person has their one unique style, no matter where you live. I don’t make my collections based on German fashion, I just do my own thing.

Q: Where do you see your label in the next 5 years?

A: I definitely want me and my label to grow more and be well-known–but I don’t want to look ahead too far; you never know what’s going to happen next, and it’s good that way! I just know that I never want to mass produce and always stay true to myself.

Images via Erika Hendrix