Matthew Schildkret is the founder of Late Sunday Afternoon, his brand and retail store in Venice, CA. Matthew sews his line of scarves, ascots, pocket squares and bandanas from locally sourced dead-stock fabric; benefitting the planet and with limited edition styles, gets us all coveting each new launch. He finishes each with a long stitch that is knotted 4 times—for love, happiness, adventure and mystery. He also makes kids blankets and dog beds for foster care and shelters respectively. From social activism to community building, Matthew and his team are a force for good in the world and we're happy to have discovered Late Sunday Afternoon.
8 QUESTIONS
Describe the moment you realized designing fed your soul.
I always knew that creating was in me. I can’t help it. Everything I have always done has been like that. Break it, create it, bend it, glue it, anything to get the feeling of the vision. Bringing things into the material plane from the heart/mind is a process that has no boundaries. It is a rawness. It is a objective that the very act is feeding my soul.
What themes do you pursue in your craft?
Snuggleness, Timelessness, Gentleness, and Loviness
Tell us about what influences the direction for your wearable collection.
Honestly, I try to keep myself as isolated from other influences as possible. I am super critical as it is. I need to have my view and be laser about it. That keeps my collections fresh and me!
How has your work developed over time?
Time is the greatest illusionist of them all. Over the past 7+ years, I have worked tirelessly to improve the quality of my stitching. Learning about material and how far I can push it is so interesting to me. The scarf is usually the bastard of a collection and with us it is the STAR!
What’s the most indispensable item in your studio?
Scissors. The first and second cut is everything. No two scarves are the same. This is because I cut everything around my own neck. The magic is sourced from those cuts.
Do you collect anything?
I love collecting hugs. Sounds funny, huh? Well it seems to me that human touch is an essential experience from people. So when people come in or out of my shop, I give them a hug.
What’s the most inspiring thing you’ve seen, read, watched or listened to recently?
The new album by The Voidz. I cannot stop dancing and crying to it. Music is the language of the Universe.
What advice would you give to your younger self about your artistic journey?
Record your process and progress meticulously. Over the years your journey compounds and showing that journey to others is wonderful!
Images: Sebastian Artz, Courtesy, Ambassador photoshoots of Whitney Leigh Morris, Maceo Paisley and Kasia Meador.
If you're in the Bay Area, you know when layering comes in handy and the blanket scarves are just the thing. We also have some fab ascots that add a bit of drama or pop to the everyday. Come try on these super yummy, versatile goodies! Or give us a ring and we'll talk you through it...
See you soon,
Bonnie & Jeffrey
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hello@poetandthebench.com | 415.569.4383 | 10e Locust Ave, Mill Valley, CA 94941