Today we’d like to introduce you to Tereze Gruntmane.
Tereze, can you briefly walk us through your story – how you started and how you got to where you are today.
I started ZAZA couture in 2002. I had studied fashion and dabbed into children’s clothing in LA before moving to Dallas. I was 30 and I had to make my move in life, so I bought airplane ticket to Paris and went to best fabric show in the world. Brought home sample fabrics and started to pin together line. By pure coincidence in one of the mom’s functions lady sitting next to me asked, what was I doing? When I told her I am working on children’s clothing line, she said, how interesting my aunt owns the showroom at worlds trade center, you should talk to her. And that is what I did, when line was ready I called up Cooper’s showroom and showed my first samples. I was astonished how large other lines were and I said I will come back next season with bigger and better line, but David Cooper replied:” We can sell this!” And that is how Zaza began 15 years ago.
Then last year I started remodeling my grandparent’s country house back in Latvia and realized that only bedding I want to use is pure linen. In order not to buy it, I decided to make home linen line #1924linensandmore. It is shabby chic with lots of ruffles, just the way I like it. I have fallen in love with country house remodel and I love inspiring people via Instagram @zazacouturehome We have tried to stay as authentic as possible with that old house. We let it live its original life, we took down wallpapers just to uncover beautiful wall coloring that we left as is, and we took off sheetrock from the ceiling, just to uncover real wood beams. And all possible places are covered with our linen, bedding, curtains, table cloth, pillows, etc.
Has it been a smooth road?
Oh, of course, who doesn’t have struggles? I think the biggest struggles are now and in the future, as retail as we know it, is losing its ground. Little boutiques in south are closing down one by one. One retailer said, if it wasn’t for grandmas I would not survive.
Internet and new buying habits are changing America. I do not see way back to old retail store culture. We all need to adopt, but many times, we do not know the answers. It is very challenging.
So, as you know, we’re impressed with Zaza Couture and 1924linensandmore – tell our readers more, for example what you’re most proud of as a company and what sets you apart from others.
For Zaza Couture I design collections twice a year. Our manufacturing is in Latvia, which is the country I am originally from. I have to travel there twice a year, other times we use all modern technologies like WhatsApp or messenger to get things done oceans apart and it works very well. Our size range is from 3 months to 12 years. Lots of color, lots of ruffles, so girls can feel special. We have dressed so many girls and boys around the world, I wonder what the real count is. I hear girls love dresses so much, they want to sleep in them. Some are washed so many times, but still little sister is wearing it. Some dresses are so loved that over the years they become as short as tunics, but no one wants to say goodbye. Some moms report they have to hide Zaza dresses, so something else from the closet will get its turn. I love those stories, they truly make me happy.
For our linen line, I am proud that I have created something that truly warms my heart. When I was a little girl, my grandma’s bedding was all pure linen, she kept telling me how natural and good it is. It breathes, she used to say. I remember not liking it then, I preferred something with flowers but now appreciate the same qualities my grandma was so adamant about. Whenever I design new linen bedding I truly think about her and her life during hard times of WWII and beyond. And how much she has actually influenced my creative being.
Let’s touch on your thoughts about our city – what do you like the most and least?
When we moved to Dallas in 2002, we fell in love immediately because it was booming city. If I think how much has changed in last 15 years, it is unbelievable. Love Arts district, love Bishops arts center and love discovering something new every week. My least favorites are summers…. I am not very good with heat, so I try to spend my time in cooler places if possible.
Pricing:
- Our children’s clothing retails for about $40-$50
- Our linen bedding ranges from $100-$200
Contact Info:
- Website: www.zazacouture.com www.1924linensandmore.com
- Phone: 214-729-9686
- Email: zazacouture@zazacouture.com
Image Credit:
Andrejs Zavadskis
Dagne Puncule
