“I utilize traditional hand textile dyeing techniques, taking inspiration from nature, and frozen photographic moments where colors blend to form unique patterns and design,” shares Sonia Ives, founder of Brooklyn Hand Dye Designs.  “From a sunset in Rincon, Puerto Rico to a brewing storm in Indo….my one of a kind, small-batch designs are evocative of the essence of these moments in time.”  KDHamptons happen to meet Sonia as I was shopping in one of my favorite Hamptons stores, Martine and Juan, and I predict that her sexy surfer girl cozy designs will be popping up on the beaches and village of Montauk very soon.  Check out the launch of her first summer collection in this NEW KDHamptons Fashion Diary, below: 

KDHamptons:  You have had an interesting path towards becoming a designer, tell us about that?

Sonia Ives: I began my career in film production and ultimately as head of creative at Island DefJam Records. As a creative director, I was responsible for collaborating with recording artists, film directors, and photographers. I decided to transition from the corporate music world to the beach, and learned to surf with my family. I made this whole line this winter in my studio in Gowanus, Brooklyn, but it is inspired by the sea land and sky of a multitude of destinations. I also dove into the photographs of many surfers and surf/lifestyle photographers for inspiration.  It was a warm escape from the winter…

KDHamptons: Which surf photographers inspire you most?

Sonia: Each piece is hand painted or manipulated with inspiration most always coming directly from photographs taken by surfers and surf/lifestyle photographers including, Morgan Maassen, Dane Peterson Nick LaVecchia, Mikey DeTemple, Taylor Dunfee, James Katsipis, Aquabumps and more…

Sonia shares, “My daughter Lily [pictured in these images] is a built in free model and my husband Tim is a cinematographer (GIRLS on HBO, etc.) so my lookbook photos always look pretty fab!”

“I am shipping dyed fabric off today to Sagebrush Board Bags in Cali to try to do a 3,000 mile away collaboration. Check out her surfboard bags on Insta. She’s very cool!”

KDHamptons:  You live on Fire Island, but have spent a lot of time in Montauk as well. How do the two compare? 

Sonia:  My primary residence is in Gowanus, Brooklyn with my husband Tim, a cinematographer, and our three children. We own a home in Lonelyville, Fire Island, a funky barefoot/bikes only community there known for a no scene-no rules-very basic bohemian beach life. We chose it not only because it is magical but it is so close to home. Then, when the kids were old enough and wanted to surf on a consistent basis, we began to spend blocks of mid week summertime at the East Deck in Montauk. Ditch Plains offered that same small barefoot + biking vibe we were used to. My thing was “no beach commuting” which isn’t easy to find on the east end. Fire Island is an amazing equalizer in that everyone is just a short walk over the dunes to the beach!

Like everyone else, what I love most about the Hamptons, and specifically Montauk is the light, air, and beauty that is breathtaking. I spent my childhood and college years in Rhode Island and Martha’s Vineyard and you can just FEEL where all the coasts were once connected. I also split my childhood living in very rural farm country Pennsylvania and feel a kinship to the fishing community Montauk was built around. Fishermen are just farmers of the sea after all! I feel very at home out east!

“Here is a an example of a cotton “single” beach blanket inspired by a Rincon, Puerto Rico sunset,” says Sonia. (photo by Mikey DeTemple)

Ditch Plains

KDHamptons: Describe your perfect day on Fire Island?

Sonia: My perfect day is to put my dog in my bike basket very early morning and ride down the dirt lot to walk the beach. You meet the friendliest people out early, getting coffee and checking waves. From there, the day is best when I don’t have to get in my car but can bike back and forth all day and surf. I’m a late learner and quite awful, but it is still so much fun and has been something lovely to share with my kids

KDHamptons: What is the average price point of your line? Where are you selling your collection?

Sonia: I want to start out with a completely accessible price point. All of this Summer 2015 products range from $35-$100.  I am currently working on my online store and meeting with boutiques to place everything. I hope to launch very soon! There is a lot of interest and only a finite amount of product because the batches are small. The work is all made by hand and it is a lovingly slow process. Head to my website for updated collections and where to buy.

KDHamptons: Who would you love to see in your clothes the most?

Sonia: My work already feels very lived in and it’s not fussy or precious. I think anyone would feel comfortable using or wearing these hand dyed textile items…especially people who appreciate a thoughtful slow process of creating one of a kind things.

* For more information please go to: SONIA IVES, BROOKLYN HAND DYE
BrooklynHandDye.com
Brooklyn.Hand.Dye@gmail.com
917-488-4388