Meet Deborah | Eco Fashion Designer, Educator, Speaker & Mentor

We had the good fortune of connecting with Deborah and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Deborah, we’d love to hear what makes you happy.
I’ve asked myself a version of this question many times throughout my life: “What do I love?” followed by “What do I want?”
I grew up immersed in nature on a farm in rural Minnesota. Nature was my first love – along with the animals, plants, and changing seasons. I was the youngest child, 13 and 16 years younger than my siblings, so I learned early how to create my own sense of wonder and adventure. I spent a lot of time climbing trees, picking fruits and vegetables, helping in the garden and kitchen, and even working in the fields.
I also developed a love for music, art, and fashion at a very young age. I began playing piano at three and started sewing on my mother’s treadle machine when I was five. I often found ways to express myself without words through drawing, painting, movement, and creating things with my hands.
Over time, I realized these early experiences became the foundation of my core values and creative inspiration: care for the earth, connection to beauty and craftsmanship, self-expression, and living creatively with intention.
What makes me happiest today is still rooted in those same things: creating meaningful work, helping others express themselves authentically, being connected to nature, and continuing to evolve creatively while staying true to what I love.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
I’m an environmentally conscious fashion designer. For me, that means considering the health and well-being of both the environment and the people wearing the clothing through every design and production choice I make.
We’ve all become more aware of the effects chemically laden clothing, often made with synthetic fibers and plastics, can have on the human body, from skin sensitivities to endocrine disruption and other health concerns. I work primarily with organic, sustainable, upcycled, and deadstock fabrics, focusing on natural fibers that are healthier to wear and gentler on the environment. I also produce locally in Los Angeles with the desire to help support skilled craftsmanship and manufacturing in the United States.
I studied fashion design and metalsmithing at the University of Minnesota before transferring to Parsons School of Design in New York City. Within a month of completing my studies at Parsons, I was hired designing for established brands before launching my own handcrafted Milanese mesh belt and jewelry line in 1983. The collection sold nationally and internationally to some of the best stores.
After relocating to Los Angeles, I unexpectedly transitioned into clothing design when my belt line was heavily knocked off by another LA designer. It was a difficult experience, especially because I had developed specialized techniques working with the material and understood the quality differences immediately. I realized I couldn’t spend my energy fighting copies, so instead I pivoted creatively.
I began designing one-of-a-kind pieces for a Venice boutique called Baba, using deadstock European designer fabrics and vintage textiles to create jackets, bustiers, and limited edition pieces. That close relationship with the owner Kris and the customers helped me better understand how women in Los Angeles wanted to dress and ultimately shaped the foundation of my clothing line.
Has it been easy? Sometimes, but rarely for long. Over more than four decades in fashion, I’ve navigated enormous industry changes including NAFTA, offshore production, the rise of fast fashion, the financial collapse of 2008, retail instability, and Covid era, and more.
As a creative entrepreneur, I’ve learned to rely on imagination, adaptability, and intuition in order to survive and evolve. I believe creativity is not only about making beautiful things, it’s also about learning how to transform challenges into new possibilities.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
Los Angeles is such a layered city creatively that I would probably create a mix of nature, art, fashion, and beautiful hidden places. I love getting outside, so I’d start with some of my favorite hikes and nature spots including Griffith Park, the Observatory, TreePeople, and time near the ocean.

Even after all these years in LA, I still need that connection to nature to feel balanced and inspired.
I’d also want to share the creative side of the city that has influenced me for decades, including the downtown LA Fashion District, vintage stores, art galleries, museums, and local indie retailers. Los Angeles still has an incredible mix of artists, musicians, filmmakers, and creative entrepreneurs, and I love supporting friends at gallery openings, performances, and events whenever I can.

Food-wise, I honestly love cooking at home, but LA is one of the best places in the world to experience different cultures through food. There’s always somewhere interesting to discover.
If we had extra time, I’d absolutely escape up the California coast for a few days. Driving Highway 1 through Santa Barbara, Big Sur, Carmel, and Monterey is one of my favorite experiences and always reconnects me to my first love, nature.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
I’ve been influenced and supported by many people throughout different chapters of my life, but I especially appreciate my husband John, who has been by my side through both the beautiful and difficult moments of building a creative life. John is also well versed in the fashion industry, though his path has been different from mine, creating custom designs for music artists and brands. Having someone who understands perseverance, creativity, and adapting through change has meant a great deal to me.
Throughout my career, I’ve also been inspired by the many artists, musicians, makers, clients, and collaborators who value individuality and creative expression. I believe we influence one another more than we realize.

Website: https://deborahlindquist.com

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/deborahlindquist/

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/deborah-lindquist-vanatta-47423b27/

Twitter: https://x.com/deblindquist

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/DeborahLindquistEcoLifestyle

Youtube: https://www.facebook.com/DeborahLindquistEcoLifestyle

Other: Substack: https://substack.com/@deborahlv
Courses: https://creatingecoconsciousfashion.com

Image Credits
Jenn Spain, Valeska Miller, Michelle Mink, Safia Day, Georgia Fletcher