The Design Series // No. 05: Tuesday Bassen
Tuesday Bassen is an LA-based illustrator and designer behind her self-titled line. Her badass collection of pins, patches and apparel are derived from her illustrations depicting female empowerment in the modern world.
Asymmetric Magazine: How and when did you start the Tuesday Bassen shop?
Tuesday Bassen: Tuesday Bassen shop started out smaller with handmade ceramics in 2011 and expanded over the years, mostly in 2014 when we started putting out stickers, pins and patches. Later in 2015 we expanded to clothing made in LA.
AM: What's your biggest inspiration?
TB: As an illustrator making clothing, my biggest inspiration is thinking about what would make me or other women feel most powerful to wear (without having to put on a power suit).
AM: We love how your products often derive from your illustrations! Can you tell us a bit about the characters you draw and your process to creating those designs in your shop?
TB: Yes! My clothing is all based on illustrations that I make of women and the clothing I draw them wearing. The characters I draw are a representation of the frustrations and anger that I may feel or other women may feel as a result of daily transgressions. I find these angry portrayals to be therapeutic, so the next logical step was to bring tangible products of these characterizations to the women they are inspired by.
AM: How would you best describe your style?
TB: Slumber party meets Easy Rider.
The characters I draw are a representation of the frustrations and anger that I may feel or other women may feel as a result of daily transgressions. I find these angry portrayals to be therapeutic, so the next logical step was to bring tangible products of these characterizations to the women they are inspired by.
AM: What themes do you typically pursue in your work?
TB: Empowerment through figurative violence.
AM: What role does Los Angeles play in your work?
TB: Los Angeles is an amazing city with high highs and low lows and is simultaneously glitzy and gritty. I love the entrepreneurial independent spirit of the city and that there are a million different ways of doing things here without asking for permission.
AM: What music is currently inspiring you?
TB: Lately, I've been really into Big Eyes.
AM: Congrats on your recent opening of Friend Mart! Where else can our readers shop your products?
TB: Lots of small businesses around the world like Hello Holiday and Strangeways, but you can also find my goods at Urban Outfitters and on my site ShopTuesday.com.
AM: What can we expect to see from you next?
TB: Finessing clothing designs with a continued focus on manufacturing in Los Angeles.
AM: What's your best advice for aspiring designers?
TB: The path somebody else took is not necessarily the best for you. Figure out your strong suits and pursue those.
Shop Tuesday Bassen: shoptuesday.com.
