CIRCE SNOW

“I’m doing what feels right”

The year is 1986, and Circe Wallace begins her illustrious snow career in Baker, WA. After becoming a Pro Snowboarder, and winning several global events, she signed several endorsement deals. Circe started working closely with her sponsors to help develop some of the first signature women’s specific products, including her Vans Signature snowboarding boot. Additionally, she helped design a Signature board made for smaller feet, and had a tighter turning radius.

Over the years, Circe has immersed herself into every aspect of the snow lifestyle. Establishing one of the first full-service action sports management firms, called ‘The Familie’ in Carlsbad, CA, which is now a part of the Wasserman Media Group. Some of the amazing talent that Circe is fortunate enough to represent include, snowboarders Travis Rice, Nicolas Müller, and 2010 Olympiad Torah Bright, also skateboarding sensation Paul Rodriguez, just to name a few. “I really enjoy working with young talent and being able to help them follow their dreams,” boasts Circe. As if being a Pro boarder, a Pioneer in the Industry, a Talent Manager, mother of an amazing 8 year old daughter Ava, “the light of my life,” states Circe proudly, and still hitting the mountain at least 50 times a year are not enough, Circe has now decided to take the snow fashion world by storm. Creating Circe Snow, in hopes of “bringing the bunny back”. Circe is living proof that anything is possible if you put your mind to it. I sat down with this femme-phenom, to find out what made her decide to carve a trail into the fashion world.

RIS: What was the inspiration behind Circe Snow?

Circe: Ultimately, I’ve been a snowboarder my entire adult life. Very early on, when I became a pro snowboarder I would help design and test, a lot of the early edition products. As I got older, and still being very active on the hill, I felt there weren’t any products that spoke to me. There seemed to be a hole between the young and youthful androgynous snowboard gear, and the high-end mature skiwear. There just wasn’t anything in between. I wanted something fun and fabulous for me. It seemed that the clothes were boring, or there was the over priced cougar wear, or the young, baggy, boy-like snowboard wear. So, about two years ago I really started hunting for some kind of piece that would work for me. I took a look at Prada, and Montcler to see what they were doing, and it was then when I really realized they didn’t get it either. There was this total disconnect between fashion and functionality. So I felt like, well, if there was nothing out there, why not create my own line. I really wanted a simple line with a boutique feel, but with technical functionality, to fill what I felt was a void.

RIS: It’s funny you would say that, I was trying on my snow gear this season, and you can’t even tell I’m a girl, other than the colors.

Circe: Right, where is the femininity in this. You still want all the technical features. You want to be warm, and be able to move around. There is no reason for this, we have the technology to apply to a female silhouette, so why not do it. I was wearing a simple black Oakley one piece for three years, and that was part of my inspiration for the technical side of the clothing. But mostly, I wanted to get out of the tween pink poke-a-dot, and the fur-lined cougar wear, and find that perfect sweet spot. Why not be able to look beautiful, and feel great.

RIS: So what makes these outfits so unique?

Circe: I think the most unique aspects are the interchangeable adornments. It’s primarily a fusion of fashion, and function. The accessories featuring an interchangeable “kit” that includes a clutch you can attach to your belt, cuffs, collars, pocket adornments, and belts that let ladies switch up their look without buying new outerwear. It comes with a faux fur kit, no bunnies where harmed in the making of my garments. You can also upgrade to a studded kit, which is very rock-n-roll, or the Tudor, which is a ruffle. It’s a great thing to be able to mix and match and create your own unique look.

RIS: One of the things that impressed me the most, was how you incorporated 93% recycled polyester in the linings. What made you decide to go with these materials?

Circe: I really felt I wanted to be a progressive modern company, and the only way to do that is to take all those things into consideration. For instance, the POAF-Free coating, it doesn’t have any benefit to the consumer, but it does to the people that are making the garments, they don’t have to breathe in toxic fumes. I really believe there is a human consciousness, and a need to be a global community. Anything, and everything that I can apply to my company to be more beneficial to the environment, and the people I work with, and be more sustainable, I’m all for it.

RIS: What are some of your favorite spots to ride?

Circe: My home mountain is Baker in Washington, that’s where I grew up. I also love Squaw Valley, Snowbird, and Jacksonville.

To see the line or information about ordering visit www.circesnow.com