The Review

Issue date: 5/15/07 Section: News

Media Credit: Laurel Rockwood Sophomore Lindsey Pollard makes made-to-order, surf-inspired clothing like sweatshirts and hats.

An array of brightly-colored sweatshirts, T-shirts, hats, shorts and sweatpants are scattered throughout the basement. All are hand-sewn and made-to-order, individually crafted and unique.

These eccentric pieces are part of East Coast Normal, the surfboard clothing company created by sophomore Lindsey Pollard in 2004.

Pollard said she conceived the idea for the company from a project for her design class at Newark High School.

"I had to come up with a brand and make stationery for it," she said. "I just took it from there."

Pollard said she creates designs with fabric and paint for her shirts, and include the company logo, ECN. Prices for the surf-style clothes range from $12 for a produced T-shirt to $65 for a patchwork sweatshirt. Customers pick out a design they like best, the color of the garment's base and colors of the fabric or paint.

"So far, everything is different from the other because every person is different," she said. "Some designs are made for certain people and some are picked out from stuff we've already designed."

Pollard began making the clothes approximately one-and-a-half years ago and works on them for several hours per day. Even though she oversees all the designs and makes all the company decisions, a few friends come over to her basement several nights per week to sew and design with her, she said.

"It's my own mini-sweatshop," Pollard said. "Everything is hand-sewn - I've never used a sewing machine in my life. I do have a friend who uses a sewing machine to install zippers and do shorts."

She said she finds inspiration for ECN from observing her friends' styles and blending them with her own personal taste. She also loves to draw and paint, adding to the artistry of her designs.

The beach is another source of inspiration for ECN designs, Pollard said. She lived in Rehoboth Beach, Del. for the past two summers and has enjoyed surfing there for the past four years.

Pollard said she tries to incorporate the beauty of the waves in her designs.

"The colors are so tight, that's probably why I like the colors on the clothes too," she said.

Sophomore Natalina Rager said everyone, not just surfers, can appreciate the clothing style.

Continued...

Page 1 of 2 next >

Article Tools