For Mkhitarian, having an eco-sustainable line, but an eco effective one, which is "not just not damaging the environment, but actually helping it." Mkhitarian graduated from the Otis College of Art and Design in 1996, and began making clothing under the name Annatarian in 2001, adding her specialty, wedding dresses in 2004. Instead of consuming more resources, Mkhitarian uses primarily vintage and surplus fabrics. When she does use contemporary fabrics, she makes sure they're eco friendly. If she uses silk, she uses recycled silk kimonos or "peace" silk which is harvested after the silkworms have emerged from their cocoons. (Traditional silk is created by killing the silkworms.)

Mkhitarian's designs also promote peace and love through design symbolism "I try to make peace within a dress," she says. For example, one of her dresses combines a vintage kimono with a vintage muumuu, symbolically making peace with the events of Pearl Harbor and Hiroshima. Mkhitarian sells her dresses through Annatarian.com and trunk shows, and her jewelry through PeaceLoveEarth.com, thegreenloop.com and boutiques. The dresses start at $1100 and the jewelry at $30.  

Mkhitarian  is happy creating specialized one-of-a-kind dresses. "What I'm doing right now with my clothing is art," she says, "and art is what changes the world.”  She previously was a designer for several large companies including Carole Little, Rampage and Jane Doe, and traveled to manufacturing facilities throughout Asia. She is mass producing her PeaceLoveEarth jewelry in L.A. using recycled silver and surplus string and is working on mass producing her dresses while meeting the standards she strives for. To young designers considering striking out on their own to follow a personal vision, Mkhitarian recommends having strong support from friends, family, and mentors.  “Business smarts are just as important as design skill, she says. "It's so important to know what it takes to run a company." Finally, “Don't give up. There have been a lot of times when I felt everything was against me, and now everyone's embraced the fact that you can be an eco company and make beautiful products while benefiting everyone and everything involved.”

Annatarian www.annatarian.com  

Article By Christian Chensvold