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Crowded Teeth Inteview

Meeting Michelle Romo of Crowded Teeth is about the only good thing I ever managed to do through MySpace. I could tell you plenty of impressive things about her – she’s only 24, she’s self-taught, her designs grace countless boutiques around the world and Zach Braff’s closet, and that she’s probably only just getting started, but what I would really like to stress is that she is one of the nicest people in the business, and I bet she’s a blast to hang out with. Enjoy!

I’ve only known you and CROWDED TEETH for the past six months or so – could you tell us a bit about how you started, and how long you’ve been at it?
I’ll start way back at the beginning! When I was 16 my mom brought home a fancy new G4 computer, and it was loaded up with Adobe Illustrator so I just started to play around and make graphics. A couple years later I started working at a place that made iron-on t-shirts and did some printing. So I decided to put my graphics to work and started making my own iron on tees. It was just kind of a fun side project; I taught myself how to sew and got into hand made goodies- like purses and hoodies. That was called “Yellow Toothpick”.

I did that for a few years and eventually bought my own screen printing equipment and did my own tees and stuff. Cut to about 3 years ago – I moved to LA and cut back a lot just because of lack of space, time, and money. But by chance I found out that the TV show ‘Scrubs’ filmed down the street from where I was living and dropped off a few shirts. The wardrobe lady loved them and I actually let her pick my first “Crowded Teeth” line. After that I got more into trying to make it into a serious deal. I just got really motivated and started pushing for more business and trying to grow. It’s been really overwhelming. So to answer your question – Crowded Teeth has been around since about 2004, but I’ve been doing a little something for almost 8 years now.

Do you miss not being as involved in the production end of CT as you used to be?
I do NOT – AT ALL. Hahaha. I do miss sewing and stuff for myself – but the stress of trying to do production and satisfy customers sucks. Especially because I get hella mad at myself when I mess up. I’m kind of learning what I like to do, and that’s to design the graphics. I like to be involved in the production and setup so I end up with what I want (telling people what to do – hooray!), but I don’t miss being in front of the screen printer or being awake until 3am sewing furry purses. I think I just like to draw and that’s about it.

I’ve looked through the pictures of your art show, which I wish I could have gone to (you win this time, Geography), and noticed that there were some paintings/prints that were also designs on CROWDED TEETH, and some great ones that I don’t think ever were – for you, is there a defined line between what works better as a t-shirt and what works better as a painting or print?
There isn’t a defined line, because sometimes things work for everything! But I think I go into a design knowing what I’m going to use it for and then it serves its purpose. I’m trying to learn how to have more of a business mindset but I just can’t get into it (putting my graphics on EVERYTHING, making money on everything blah, blah, blah). I think for the art show I was specifically trying to design for that event and I wasn’t even thinking “t-shirts” so that’s why a lot of the prints never crossed over.

I’ve seen your work compared to Hello Kitty, and there’s immediately an enjoyable Paul Frank feel to it as well – how do you feel about these comparisons, and what other artists and designers do you see yourself as comparable to?
I think being compared to those lines is great and totally flattering because they are an inspiration. They are both well crafted and well designed and it’s awesome if people put me in that same category. I don’t really want to compare myself to anyone though because I also want to feel like I’m doing my own thing at the same time.

You’re half Japanese (that’s my assumption so if I’m wrong please let me know), so let’s ask the obvious question – how do you think that’s influenced your work? Do you think that has influenced how people consider your work?
I am half Japanese (thanks, Mom)! I think it’s influenced my work because I had a rad time growing up. I look back at toys and books my grandparents used to bring me, and all the awesome snacks I got to eat and I say “THAT IS GREAT” – and since I’m trying to make great things, and I like to own great things it influences my sense of style. My knowledge in the culture has always been kind of half-assed (which is a bummer). I just never took the time to submerge myself into it. I do have a sense of pride about being Japanese, and also a sense of embarrassment from not knowing enough about it. I don’t know if it has influenced how people look at my stuff. I guess in a negative light it could be seen as something obvious – “Oh that Japanese girl likes Japanese things” – but I’m just trying to do what I like.

Daniel Vosovic’s showing on Project Runway was “inspired by Japanese design and military uniforms”, Gwen Stefani has that awful Harajuku Lovers line – do you think people are too eager to cite Japanese influence?
I don’t know – I don’t see it as a bad thing though. Whether it’s giving people what they want, making money, or being creative, do what you gotta do.

What do you like to do when you’re not at your day job, running CROWDED TEETH, or hosting fabulous art shows?
I like to do a lot of nothing! I watch bad TV, buy too many shoes, play the new Nintendo. Mostly I just like to hang out with my pals; they help me keep my sanity. It seems like work is constantly overwhelming, and the answer to that is to be around the people I like and talk about nothing.

So, sometimes independent designers are commissioned to do design work for bands, celebrities, and the like – who would you love to design merchandise for someday?
I’m lucky, and at my day job I get to work with a lot of big licenses. So I do get to work with artwork and people that I never thought I would get to work with. It’s a difficult thing to get someone’s approval though, and sometimes my brain can’t take that. So to give you the most generic and wishy-washy answer – I want to work with anyone who wants to work with me :)

I’m actually wearing my EAT! Crest shirt right now (it’s the beeeeeest) – what are some of your favorite foods?
Dude, you’re wearing my favorite foods. I love junk. I think burritos in any form might be my all time fave though. It’s like good times wrapped in awesome.

You’ve been in the game for a while, you’ve been to trade shows, and no doubt have seen a lot of brands out there – is there anything that you’re tired of seeing, that’s played out?
I don’t know – there are things I don’t like and are tired of seeing but I don’t fault people for doing what they do. Like I said – whether it’s giving people what they want, making money, or being creative, do what you gotta do. I don’t want to be negative.

In a lot of ways, you seem to be where a lot of independent designers want to be – do you have any advice for those of us in the shadow of Michelle Romo?
Always make sure you are doing what you want to be doing. Stay creative. Growing is hard, and I think I realized that I as much as I loooooove money – It’s not what it’s about.

What’s in store for CROWDED TEETH? Any big plans or possibilities that you can share with us?
Crowded Teeth is actually taking a step back a little. Less designs, but more creativity. I want to feel like I’m making something again instead of just cranking out stuff for a deadline. I feel like it’s going to be more of myself and go back to how I used to feel about it. In the products department I’m going to be doing metal jewelry (necklaces) and totes next season! And winter will be fun again because I am going to bring back the mittens in new designs.

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Thanks, Michelle, for being the first person I ever interviewed. Be sure to check out CROWDED TEETH online and in stores!