Erik Charlotte VonSosen, a 24-year-old fashion designer based in Los Angeles, has taken the fashion world by storm with her innovative designs and unique vision. Known for her extravagant silhouettes and intricately crafted garments, Charlotte’s rise to fame has captivated not only industry insiders but also celebrities from diverse backgrounds.
Charlotte’s distinct stylistic sensibility has been apparent from the early stages of her career. With bleached brows, Victorian-inspired accessories, and a penchant for incorporating 90s elements into her wardrobe, she stands out in any setting. Whether at a bustling flea market or a lively house party, her creations and style have always drawn attention, leading to many compliments throughout her outings.
The journey of this self-taught designer transformed dramatically after she began sharing her creations online about a year ago. Using her Art Deco fireplace as a backdrop and a smartphone camera propped on a tripod, Charlotte showcased her avant-garde fashion to the world. The result was a collection of breathtaking designs featuring exaggerated ruffles, puffed sleeves, and nautical themes, which quickly gained traction among celebrity stylists and music industry figures alike.
Charlotte’s custom-made garments have appeared on stars such as Emma Chamberlain and Christina Aguilera, with musicians like Marina and Rebecca Black personally commissioning looks for major events. Marina requested a brocade corset paired with a taffeta bubble skirt for Coachella, while Black explored a sailor-bride aesthetic for the American Music Awards.
Despite being in a city often seen as a hub of fast fashion, Charlotte believes in emphasizing the artistic side of Los Angeles fashion. “I don’t think I should have to move to make the rest of the fashion world or anyone feel more comfortable,” she stated. “L.A. has so much untapped talent that’s hiding because people think fashion in L.A. is a monolith of hype and trends.”
On a recent excursion for fabric shopping at Fabric Planet in Venice, Charlotte displayed her characteristic casual flair. Clad in half-undone overalls and oversized glasses, she exuded a creative spirit, holding onto a stuffed sketchbook as she perused various materials. On this day, she was on a mission to craft an all-white lace outfit, complete with puffy sleeves, a bonnet, and feathers.
During the shopping trip, I had the opportunity to delve into Charlotte’s creative process. When asked about her approach to designing, she explained, “I will only start drawing when I have an idea. Sometimes a building I saw or someone on the street will catch my eye. I let the thought marinate for a few days, or I’ll write it down in my notes.”
Charlotte’s sketches are often done quickly to capture the essence of her ideas before they morph into something else. “I only have a couple minutes to sketch before the idea changes. It needs to be as pure as possible,” she explained, showing the quick, finger-drawn illustrations from her notes app, allowing her creativity to flow freely.
Finding inspiration in odd moments—even after a shower—Charlotte notes that some of her most exciting designs come from a fusion of familiar elements. “The look I’m shopping for has a lot of elements that I’m familiar with. It’s all elements that I’ve already attempted and really liked — so I’m Frankensteining them.”
While navigating the fabric store, Charlotte took on a personal challenge to utilize six different types of lace, intending to layer them in unique ways. When the store employee inquired about her fabric preferences, Charlotte’s answer was simple yet filled with aspiration: One yard of each, each showcasing distinctive textures. Her designs fuse playfulness with craftsmanship, as she eloquently states that her creations are often marked with the traces of her hard work, with “tiny splotches of blood on my corsets’ lining” due to the physical labor involved.
The designer’s dexterous hands, jagged from cuts and adorned with Band-Aids, serve as testament to her dedication. Having developed an unusual skill of cutting fabric exclusively with her left hand, something she has done since kindergarten, she utilizes this unique talent to execute her visions with precision. “It’s strangely helpful because I can position fabric and then cut it perfectly,” she explained with amusement.
Charlotte’s creativity clearly thrives in spontaneity, as evidenced by her fabric finds, including a gray plaid she decided to buy six yards of. “Now I’m feeling a bit over budget,” she quipped, revealing a budget-conscious side.
Back at her rent-controlled apartment, a treasure trove of designs awaited completion. Her living space is a chaotic mix of pinstripe bustles and stacks of sailor hats, evidencing her busy schedule. As she lays out the plaid material and begins stitching an outfit for an outing that very evening, she recounted her early experiences with sewing.
Charlotte learned the basics from her grandmother at 15, driven by dreams of drag performance. This background in drag culture significantly influenced her design style, particularly her affinity for exaggerated silhouettes. “It’s where I get my affinity for exaggeration,” she stated thoughtfully.
Now, as a trans woman, her view of femininity has evolved, yet the boldness of drag remains embedded in her work. “I always pattern my corsets with an exaggerated hip shape because that’s the drag definition of what femininity looks like. I don’t think it’s my definition anymore, but having that exaggeration still live somewhere in my work is a testament to drag culture,” Charlotte explained.
Reflecting on her past life in drag, Charlotte admitted that her aspirations initially revolved around performance. However, as she transitioned, it became evident that her passion lay not just in drag but in the creation of fashion. “The whole reason I was still doing it was because I loved being able to make the clothes,” she said, emphasizing the liberation that came with her transition.
Charlotte has since changed her relationship with fashion from hobbyist creations to an essential part of her identity and livelihood. “It feels almost primal. I can’t imagine doing anything else,” she admitted when asked about her dedication to design. The thought of being unable to create or sell her work would be devastating, adding a level of seriousness to her craft that transcends mere passion.
In response to whether she felt she was achieving her goals faster than expected, Charlotte expressed disbelief at her journey thus far. “I can’t believe that this is all real. It’s crazy — this is all stuff that I make in my apartment,” she said, incredulous at the rapid pace of her success. Her unwavering vision has remained clear, directing her choices in work and collaboration—everything is intentional.
At 24, Charlotte finds herself pondering the need for an assistant, a sign of her burgeoning success. She acknowledges that her timeline has produced surprises but chooses to remain focused on her aspirations. “I just take it in stride and keep aiming higher. I don’t think there’s anything wrong with dreaming a little bit bigger,” she concluded.
As Erik Charlotte VonSosen continues to craft her unique narrative within the fashion industry, one can only anticipate her future endeavors. Armed with creativity, ambition, and an unyielding passion for her craft, Charlotte is a force to be reckoned with, promising to redefine the fashion landscape in Los Angeles and beyond.
image source from：latimes
