fashion// Leslie Crow & Heyoka Leather
Who is Leslie Crow?
I am a strong individual. A trailblazer and dreamer who enjoys a simple country life
You’re a bit of a nomad - what encouraged the idea to leave L.A. and create out on your own?
Wanderlust....Moving to LA changed my life and gave me the opportunity to learn so much and experience so many amazing times and people, but I was always looking to hit the open road and see the world. One time i ran away to a wild Mustang rescue in Colorado, and trained horses for six months then I moved back home to the Appalachian Mtns for a year, but when I set off for the Sonoran Desert of Arizona, it just felt like the right time to leave and not look back.
Tell us about Heyoka Leather – your designs, the accent pieces you use and where your leather comes from. Being an animal advocate, I think this is important for people to know.
I was a vegetarian for many years because I didnt respect the relationship most modern Americans have with their meat. I think factory farming is horrible and I wouldn't want to use leather if it meant supporting that industry, but by carefully sourcing wild harvested deer and elk hides, I find a natural balance and harmony in working with leather. Leather is an ancient form of recycling when sourced wild as it is by-product of hunting. I think it is wonderful that we can sustain ourselves and decorate our bodies, by using every part of the animal we sacrifice for food, as our ancestors have done for thousands of years.
I love Heyoka for so many reasons… it’s my mother when I was growing up (I am a 70’s child), it’s my Apache grandfather and his beautiful jewelry, it’s my first vacation through the Southwest. Where is your inspiration drawn from?
I couldnt agree more with what you just said.... I try to design things that feel powerful, authentic and strong. I have always been inspired by vintage clothing, textiles and jewelry, especially heirlooms and antiques. All the women in my moms family wore turquoise jewelry that had been passed down generation after generation from a great uncle who was a silversmith, and I was always stealing my moms 70's clothes and jewelry. I have ancestors who were harness makers and blacksmiths too, so the traditional processes and techniques of generations past are very inspiring. I grew up in the Appalachian Mountains, but my parents exposed me to as much Native culture as they could, especially when it came to art. There was also a lot of bluegrass and biker culture which inspired me immensely as well as the beauty of nature and freedom of country living
What can you tell people who are starting up a small business and are not sure where to begin?
Know yourself. Know your strengths and start out by doing what you do best! Don't be influenced or concerned with what anyone else is doing around you. Stay focused, always strive to be original and don't lose your passion when things get rough. Starting a company is a long hard road, but it is also an incredibly rewarding and empowering process.
What is a typical day for you?
Unless I'm traveling... my routine is to wake up, drink coffee, feed the goats, pigs, donkeys and chickens, maybe weed the garden a little... work on leather and jewelry projects all day, do yoga, swim or workout, feed the animals again then get really stoned, make dinner for friends, hang out on the porch and relax.
If you could spend an evening with 4 people (dead or alive), who would they be and what would you do?
That's a tough one! Any evening spent with family and friends is a good one, but aside from that i'd love to spend the evening with the Highwaymen (Willie, Waylon, Johnny and Kris) I'd probably just have them over to the farm for dinner and a front porch jam, and then invite all my friends and their friends out to party.
What can we look forward to seeing from Heyoka Leather?
Well, theres been a lot of exciting new projects in the works lately from collaborations with some of my favorite brands to launching our all new website to styling and Creative Direction opportunities. I will be focusing more on the custom fringe jackets and introducing new bag styles into the line as well as some handcrafted metal jewelry coming soon. We have also joined forces with some amazing women from Durango, Mexico who make traditional hitched horsehair accessories that just launched on our website, and coming soon, handcrafted wampum bead collaboration with my talented friend Joshua Carter. (Mashantucket Pequot and Narrangansett) check their work out on our site www.heyokaleather.com!
Last words?
pura vida
