A Glimpse Inside the Design Studio

CHATTING WITH SIRDOGWOOD

DESCRIBE NOTYERS ...

Notyers is all about amplifying you & your pets personality through fashion. So don’t be afraid to go ahead & turn it up a notch! As an added bonus it’s all designed & hand crafted in the USA. 

WHY DID YOU START IT?

I started Notyers because it was something that lies at the intersection of my love of animals and my love of fashion. My background is accessory design & I saw an opportunity in the market for trendy pet fashion. I look at a leash like it is a handbag, you are carrying it everyday and this is something both of you want to look fresh & on point. 

HAVE YOU ALWAYS WORKED WITH YOUR HANDS?

Yes! I have been creating things by hand ever since I was a little kid. It’s actually my favorite part of the design process. It’s such an amazing feeling when you sit down & physically create something out of nothing. I often loose myself in these moments where it is so refreshing to temporarily escape our increasingly digital world, find my zen and simply weave, dye or sew. 

HOW DID ICELAND PLAY INTO TECHNIQUE/PROCESS? 

I want to start out by saying Iceland is truly magical! It’s one of those places that around every corner a new and unique treasure awaits. I was on a road trip there & stopped along the way at a tiny coffee shop that was full of local fishermen. The fishermen had these intricately knotted rope fishing nets. We got to talking about them & they ended up teaching me the knots & rope splicing that go into making/repairing those nets. That same rope splicing technique happens to be the the actual method I use to weave the notyers leashes. Wow, thinking back I may never have started Notyers without that one moment. Thank goodness for my love of coffee :P 

WHAT WAS THE INSPIRATION BEHIND “THE MOOD DOG”?

I’m an empath, especially when it comes to pets! So of course I’m constantly thinking of how a pet is feeling. Since most of us aren’t a Dolittle a pet can’t tell us this in their own words. So I wanted to create a fun, light hearted way to give humans insight into a pets inner emotions. Know whether they are on Cloud 9 or simply feeling relaxed, with color of course!

DESCRIBE YOUR AESTHETICS & DESIGN INFLUENCES

Notyers aesthetic is all about being bad to the bone! Add a pop of color or sparkle & don’t be shy about it. I learned how to dye fabric/create color ombrés from one of my best friends (shout out to @silkshaman). We would have dying parties - heat up a vat of indigo & make a night out of it! Some of my other design influences come from travel, mother nature (...I’m obsessed with sunsets + the nights sky) & street style. 

WHAT IS YOUR GUILTY PLEASURE RIGHT NOW?

I have soo many right now . Just to name a few...Big Sur, oat milk lattes, neon nail polish, Tartine bakery, deep dish pizza & of course....puppies!! 

Behind the Scenes

Notyers is proud to be a Woman-Owned & Woman-Led Pet Design Studio based in Marin County, California. The company was started in 2016 by designer & founder Colleen Wasilewski.