Sunday Visit is our Interview series where we sit down to interview exciting members of our community about their process, inspirations and learn about what makes them tick. Today we interview one of our collaborators and dye house clients Prairie Underground. We learn about the women behind the sustainable brand, how they got started and how they navigate the world of fashion and natural dyes. The photos from this series are a special behind the sneak peak of their upcoming Indigo collection we dyed for them in Seattle. They were taken by Elisa Clements
Tell us your origin story, how did Prairie Underground come to be? Who is behind the brand?
Prairie Underground was founded in 2004 by two best friends from Nebraska, Camilla Eckersley and Davora Lindner. Our shared passion for artistic freedom, self-expression, and a vision for a better world led us to create a brand that would stand for innovation and sustainability. After moving to Seattle, we launched Prairie Underground with the goal of crafting fashion that was not only forward-thinking but also environmentally conscious. We were proud to be one of the early pioneers in the sustainable fashion space.
We love collaborating with you and working with your brand. What drew you to work with natural dyes, and how does it align with Prairie Underground’s sustainability ethos?
We are equally grateful for the opportunity to collaborate with you, especially as neighbors here in Georgetown, Seattle. Our journey into working with natural dyes is a natural extension of our sustainability ethos. Most of our products are made from deadstock fabrics or organic cotton, and natural dyes allow us to create beautiful, long-lasting pieces while minimizing our environmental footprint. This collaboration is an investment in our commitment to sustainability, and we hope to integrate even more natural dyes into our collections in the future.
Your designs are deeply rooted in your experiences as activists. How do you think incorporating natural dyes might further your mission of creating ethically-produced fashion?
Our designs have always been inspired by activism. We see fashion as a powerful tool for change, and we want to create clothing that serves a purpose beyond aesthetics. Each piece must be multipurpose, durable, and unique. By incorporating natural dyes, we’re adding another layer to our commitment to ethically-produced fashion. We focus on functionality and versatility, blending masculine and feminine elements to create garments that empower the wearer. Ultimately, we believe what we wear should reflect our values — from how it’s made to the materials used.
Can you share a bit about your background in art and design?
Our approach at Prairie Underground is a unique blend of technical skill and artistic expression. Davora Lindner holds a BFA from the Minneapolis College of Art and Design and is currently pursuing an MFA at UC Irvine, while Camilla has a background in documentary filmmaking from Evergreen State College and a fashion design degree from FIDM. This combination of fine art and technical expertise allows us to experiment with new ideas and push the boundaries of fashion. We approach design from many angles, with both form and function in mind.
You’ve said that every collection is very personal for you. What personal experiences or inspirations are you bringing to this collaboration with Botanical Colors?
The two pieces we created with Botanical Colors, the Orlando Jacket and Pant, are inspired by our love of Virginia Woolf’s Orlando (especially the film adaptation starring Tilda Swinton). We wanted to blend masculine and feminine details with a sense of lightness and ease, creating pieces that can be styled powerfully or softly. We started with a textured, mid-weight linen deadstock jacquard fabric and, after reviewing colors with Botanical Colors, indigo stood out as the perfect choice to highlight the fabric’s texture. This collaboration combines our love for garments that balance utility and beauty.
Your brand emphasizes local production, working with Seattle-based sewing contractors. Can you tell us a little bit about this process and what it means to you and your business?
Local production has been a cornerstone of Prairie Underground since day one. All of our garments are sewn locally by a talented team of full-time sewers and independent contractors who are based just minutes from our studio in Seattle. This proximity allows us to maintain better quality control and build long-lasting relationships within our community. Ethical, local production is something we are deeply committed to, as it ensures fair wages and supports the local economy.
Your company has been at the forefront of sustainable fashion since 2005. What excites you most about exploring natural dyes at this point in your career? How long have natural dyes been a part of your brand?
The use of natural dyes feels like a perfect evolution for us — it complements our long-standing commitment to sustainable, eco-friendly materials while adding a new layer of artistry to our designs. While the cost of incorporating natural dyes is a consideration, we’re excited about the potential to integrate them into every collection as we continue to grow.
What excited you about originally working with Botanical Colors?
What excited us about working with Botanical Colors was their shared commitment to sustainability and their deep expertise in natural dyes. They also have a strong sense of aesthetics and beauty, which allows us to collaborate on developing color stories that perfectly align with our brand. Their dedication to high-quality, plant-based dyes makes them the ideal partner for us, and, of course, we love that they’re our neighbors here in Seattle!
When it comes to designing, where do you begin your process? Is it the silhouette, a color, an emotion? Tell us a bit about your process and what makes you creatively tick?
Our design process is highly intuitive. Even as we’re finishing one collection, ideas for the next are already buzzing in our heads. We often start by reviewing fabric inventory and considering the themes, ideas, and emotions we want to explore. Sometimes, we look at past season feedback or pull inspiration from our archives. The process is very personal, often involving long hours of sketching, fabric swatching, and research. Our small team collaborates, sharing ideas until we arrive at a cohesive vision for the season. After 20 years in business, many ideas are self-referential, and our pieces naturally evolve with time.
What’s next for Prairie Underground, is there anything exciting we should know?
Prairie Underground is celebrating its 20th anniversary, and we’re thrilled to be opening our very first pop-up store just steps away from Pike Place Market. The pop-up will be open for a limited time this April and May at 2006 1st Ave, Seattle, WA 98121. It will feature our Spring 2025 collection, including exclusive, limited-edition pieces only available at the pop-up. We’re also hosting a variety of special events, including a Salon Shop Stories event, artist exhibitions, and classes. Plus, we’ll have vendors such as Shelli Markee, Karra Wise, Mirage Studio, ONYX And Petal, Leisure Syndicate, and EH Works. We can’t wait to share this new chapter with our community!
