Many Belles Down is a retro-inspired Oakland-based clothing brand founded by Jane Lee. With flirty dresses, cute prints, and an affordable price point, Many Belles Down creates a chic collection with a nod to the past.
How did Many Belles Down get its name and how did it get started?
I’ve always been a vintage/used clothing shopper and although I love items from the past, it didn’t always fit right or the fabrication was really dated. We wanted to rework vintage into a timeless yet current piece that girls could be excited about. The name came from an E. E. Cummings poem called “anyone lived in a pretty how town” and there was a line about many bells down. The flow of those words resonated with me but didn’t get to the core of what I wanted the line to be about, so I changed bells to belles and voila! We imagined a belle being down for whatever yet still very girl and in control…I think there are a lot of us like that.
What is the inspiration behind the designs?
I’m inspired by that girl back in the day when she was 12 thinking there’s gotta be more than this. I’m inspired by her going to the salvation army, picking up a velvet dress that is just way too long and thinking she could make something out of that. I’m inspired by her walking into school with said dress cut up to mid thigh with combat boots wondering what the day had in store for her.
I noticed that there’s a lot of print in the collection, what draws you towards this design element?
Prints give a garment life and color. It’s hard not to notice swirls of teals and reds in a sea of black and grey.
Who is the woman that wears Many Belles Down?
Growing up, I read Sassy magazine. I read Jane Pratt is making a comeback and Tavi is starting a blog a la sassy. So excited! Sassy wasn’t for everybody and although they loved fashion, they also loved smart, sarcastic, ironic, confident, accomplished, driven, strong, sexy, independent girls. Many Belles Down isn’t for everyone but we hope THAT girl sees our stuff and says, “I gotta have it!”
What do you think of the current retail fashion landscape?
There is apparently something for everyone. As long as you have fun expressing yourself fusing high with low, old and new (responsibly or not). Also, I’m in love with online shopping because I think it opens up the world of possibilities to everyone no matter where they live.
Where do you see Many Belles Down in the future?
We keep expanding what we do. We just added a low price point, and perhaps easier to access line called MBD. I’m excited about that, as costs continue to rise, being able to offer lower prices opens up the aesthetic to more people, and I think that is just a good thing.
To see my Many Belles Down outfits, go here and here. Also, you can find Many Belles Down at several online boutiques such as Modcloth, Fred Flare, Lulu’s, and Ruche.
For more information about Many Belles Down, go to: http://manybellesdown.com
