When word reached our 21st floor office that the Art.sy team was in the building, our taste for real estate was immediately validated! The team started off as 1, the founder Carter Cleveland who launched from his dorm room, grew to a few more in a shared space in Flatiron and how employ over 50 in an office overlooking Manhattan! Art.sy calls itself a new way to discover art you love and features works from galleries, museums and private collections across the world. Now, before you leave us and enter a world of talent at Art.sy, meet Caroline Lau, Director of Operations.
Top 5 favorite restaurants in NYC:
Last item of clothing you bought: Does jewelry count? I hope so, because I love my bracelet by Lady Grey.
You have a free Saturday in NYC and the weather is perfect. How will you spend it? A long run along the Hudson, aimless wandering by foot, and a home-cooked meal with friends.
You have been with Art.sy since the beginning! What drove you to get on the startup train? Art.sy’s founder, Carter Cleveland, had been working on the project long before I joined, out of his dorm room at Princeton. But I have been fortunate to see Art.sy through many stages of growth, both in terms of the team and the product. I came on board simply because I’m passionate about our goal at Art.sy—to make fine art accessible accessible to anyone with an Internet connection.
What has been the single most exciting moment for you at Art.sy and why?
There are too many exciting moments to count, but a particularly memorable moment was Art.sy’s “graduation” from General Assembly—the campus for technology, design, and entrepreneurship in Flatiron that had served as our home. We were heartbroken to leave that vibrant, creative community, but eager to set out on our own and enter a new phase for Art.sy. Here’s the view (also below) from our new office on the 25th floor!
How can you sum up your team at Art.sy? I’m constantly inspired by the breadth and variety of experience represented by the people here, and the way they come together to create an amazing team and culture.
Being surrounded by art all day (virtually) must ignite a desire to have it in your home. What is your apartment like? It’s a problem for all of us at Art.sy, but we wouldn’t have it any other way. It’s a joy and a privilege to be surrounded by so many beautiful works all day! My apartment is actually quite sparse because I over think every purchase. Perhaps rather impractically, I’ll eat off the floor for years until I find a table I can’t live without. My latest acquisition is:
When word reached our 21st floor offices that our Art.sy friends were in the building, our real estate taste was immediately validated! The website that prides itself on being the way to discover art you love, Art.sy features works from galleries, museums and private collections around the world. But before you get sucked into a world of talent, meet Caroline, the Director of Operations at Art.sy.
Top 5 favorite restaurants in NYC:
Last item of clothing you bought: Does jewelry count? I hope so, because I love my bracelet by Lady Grey.
You have a free Saturday in NYC and the weather is perfect. How will you spend it? A long run along the Hudson, aimless wandering by foot, and a home-cooked meal with friends.
You have been with Art.sy since the beginning! What drove you to get on the startup train? Art.sy’s founder, Carter Cleveland, had been working on the project long before I joined, out of his dorm room at Princeton. But I have been fortunate to see Art.sy through many stages of growth, both in terms of the team and the product. I came on board simply because I’m passionate about our goal at Art.sy—to make fine art accessible accessible to anyone with an Internet connection.
What has been the single most exciting moment for you at Art.sy and why?
There are too many exciting moments to count, but a particularly memorable moment was Art.sy’s “graduation” from General Assembly—the campus for technology, design, and entrepreneurship in Flatiron that had served as our home. We were heartbroken to leave that vibrant, creative community, but eager to set out on our own and enter a new phase for Art.sy. Here’s the view (also below) from our new office on the 25th floor!
How can you sum up your team at Art.sy? I’m constantly inspired by the breadth and variety of experience represented by the people here, and the way they come together to create an amazing team and culture.
Being surrounded by art all day (virtually) must ignite a desire to have it in your home. What is your apartment like? It’s a problem for all of us at Art.sy, but we wouldn’t have it any other way. It’s a joy and a privilege to be surrounded by so many beautiful works all day! My apartment is actually quite sparse because I over think every purchase. Perhaps rather impractically, I’ll eat off the floor for years until I find a table I can’t live without. My latest acquisition is:
You have to be at dinner at 8pm. It’s now 7pm and you’re just jumping out of the shower…plenty of time. You get the hairbrush out, apply some product (maybe), plug in the blowdryer and get to work. In a matter of 10 minutes (maybe) you’re sweating (there goes the shower), you have a headache and are even more frustrated than when you left work at 6pm. You give up, move onto makeup and wardrobe and head out with a head of hair that is half wet, half curly, half awful.
This concept was anything but foreign to Alli Webb, a curly-haired Floridian whose lifelong desire to have straight hair drove her to Beauty School which landed her in L.A. as a hairstylist. With a business or two in between, she now owns Drybar, the no cut, no color, just blowdry salon that provides your hair (and sanity) a luxury experience for $40 (that is not a typo). Today, with salons all over the country (and two in NYC!) Alli has taken over the beauty world one round brush at a time!
FIRST THE HAIR!
What is the recipe for success when it comes to a blowout?
- The Brush: It must be quality! You need a four bristle round brush. At Drybar we use aluminum brushes but that’s hard to do yourself. Also, the brush has to be big…almost too big! Brand: Ibiza
- The Sections: People don’t do this enough but it’s crucial to section out your hair in as many pieces as possible (you can’t tackle the whole head at once!)
- The Dryer: Again, it must be quality. You need the power and the heat. Start at the front but don’t neglect the back and make sure you are working every section dry. I was in a hotel the other day and forgot my dryer…I could have dried my hair quicker by blowing on it than using what they provided! Brand: Bio Ionics
Ok lets talk products. What should we buy for our hair—curly and straight?
- Straight: L’Oreal Smoothing Cream or Moroccan Oil Hydrating Oil.
- Curly: A good mousse or a root lift spray that has some hold.
What are your must-have beauty products?
- Style Winder: A modern version of a curling iron – like a wand. It’s so unbelievably easy to get that Mai Thai look!
- Moroccan Oil’s Glimmer Shine Spray: It gives a shine and mist that’s just enough.
- Urban Decay’s Sin: It gives me that dewey, shiny look.
- Nars Orgasm: It’s just the best.
- Stila Eyeliner: I always want my eyes to be dark and line them on the insides—and it has to be waterproof!
- Chanel Metallic Nail Polish
What are the most comfortable shoes you own, both casual and dressy?
- Casual: Converse
- Dressy: Jeffrey Campbell platforms in beige
How do you feel about dry shampoo? I’m totally obsessed with it! It is an easy and quick way to add volume and texture and isn’t great to wash your hair everyday (I wash mine every 3-4 days…but I’ve gone longer). The brand: Toni and Guy Dry Shampoo.
What straight hair trick do we need to know of that’s easier than we think? Straight hair is always a challenge because it wants to hang. At Drybar, we will blow curl into the hair with a round metal brush. If you’re at home, try a Sea Salt Spray to rough it up a bit and give your hair a little grit. Don’t comb it completely either.
With wet hair, put it in one inch sections from the crown up and twist it around. Work your hair into two big parts and twist those sections for ten minutes - do the whole head and then leave it.
NOW THE HERO!
How did you end up in beauty school and then a mother of two, running a full fledged hair business out of your LA home? I had naturally curly hair and always wanted it straight and blown out. I’d think, “God I feel so much more put together!” In my mid-20s I went to beauty school and became a hairdresser. Then living in LA, I became a wife and a mom of two and felt like I was losing brain cells sitting at home. That is how Straight-At-Home was born!
Tell us about Straight-At-Home and the role your girlfriends played! I was sitting in my house with my naturally curly best friend (you know, the one who I planned my pregnancy with!) and asked her what she thought about me doing blowdries for my mommy friends. Lets face it, at the time you would pay $100 to get a hairdresser come to your house. My girlfriend loved the idea which drove me to posting an ad on mom blogs and the calls flooded in. I was running around LA with tools in the back of my car and at a certain point, couldn’t keep up with the demand. And that’s how Drybar evolved!
Why do you think Drybar has taken off like it has? You look at actresses on the red carpet and go, “I want that hair!” Women come in before an event and say, “I want to look this good every week” and the addiction begins. We’ve had reporters sit and observe and they see the transformation and confidence that exudes from the women walking out the door.
$40 for a blowdry is pretty unbelievable. How did you land on this price? It was the price I charged for Straight-At-Home and I thought it made so much sense. The only other $40 blowdries out there include a bad experience.
The environment is so positive and social. You even have a spirit director! How do you instill this? We are very particular about the people we hire. Everyone from the receptionist, to the bartenders to the stylists must have the best attitude. You could be the best hairstylist in the world but if you have a diva attitude, you’re not for us. Our spirit director (my sister in law) just makes you feel good and that’s how we want everyone to feel. Someone tweeted that Drybar is the happiest place on earth and it made my day!
Working at a fashion startup allows us many freedoms unknown to the corporate world. Both in and out of the office, we are constantly entertaining each others creative ideas, inspiring them to share. Our office is the home to freedom, passion, intelligence, discovery, concentration, silliness and consistency.
It is the consistencies (both edible and audible) that are crucial to survival and have become…addictions? Yes, healthy addictions.
1. Lifesaver Mints: The bite-sized delectably minty fixation. Our team grabs at these more than any of us realize. They’re better better than gum—it’s not polite to chew—and don’t run out of flavor!
2. Polar Seltzer Water: The drink that keeps on giving. Regular water can be flat and tasteless. Diet coke rots your teeth. Perrier is too fancy. Polar Seltzer Water? Now we’re talking! We haven’t researched the downside of drinking more than 5 a day but for now, we’re not concerned.
3. Double Bubble Gum: It rots your teeth, loses taste after 15 chews and is an utterly impossible habit to kick. We’ve been scolded by our dentists and continue to disobey their orders. Kids, don’t listen to us on this one.
4. The beat that keeps us dancing (and inspires moves and rhythm we didn’t know we had).
Happy Tuesday!
vente-privee, the French born flash sale site which has acquired over 14MM European users, launched in the US six months ago and invited me to their studio to meet and greet the stylists! I nearly sprinted from a meeting in Soho to their West side studio to with a not so sturdy umbrella, flats unwelcome to rain and at least two bags strapped to my body. This very NYC moment was elevated to a happy place after stepping into the all-white vente-privee studio bustling with photographers positioning tiny shoes to digitally fit the chalk board covered in hopscotch sketches, all to create a story (see below!) Who knew a flash sale site had so many moving pieces?
From there, I was brought into a chic space and introduced to Marisa and Orly, the ready-to-wear stylists whose talents behind the scenes drain the wallets of us consumers at our desks! You may recognize their style voice because, after all, they’ve been helping you get ready on GO TRY IT ON! (Oh and a little tidbit, they’re styling you everyday while on-the-go between cab rides and photo shoots…talk about fast fashion!)
“We breath new life into old inventory,” –vente-privee team
Be honest, do you play dress up with the merchandise?
O: I can’t help myself; if someone asks me how it fits I have to be able to give an accurate answer!
Do you guys rock out to music when styling?
O: There’s always music playing in the studio, and it’s usually the personal fave of the photographer in that day—anything from 50s jazz to a hip hop party. It’s really fun and free environment that keeps us alive and alert.
We spend about 40% of our time in the studio, shooting but when we’re in the office, our headphones are in and Pandora is on.
What song are you listening to on repeat if the choice was yours?
M: Valerie by Amy Winehouse
O: Lights by Elie Goulding
What was the last piece of clothing you purchased?
M: H&M peep-toe platform heels
O: Zara floor-length, sequin dress (I had a wedding that same day!)
What is your 4PM go-to snack?
M: Trader Joes trail mix and madelines from Starbucks.
O: Orange Soda and if I’m really craving it, chocolate covered almonds.
What are your top three NYC restaurants?
M: Babbo, Clinton St. Baking Company, Prune
O: ABC Kitchen, Pipa, Peasant
Tell us your fashion pet peeve!
M: Kitten Heels
O: When people love something but say, “I could never pull that off.” It’s fashion, you should do whatever you want which is why I love GO TRY IT ON – it’s a safe place to be creative.
What have you styled and were like this is horrible? This is going to be a real Challenge!
M: There are definitely those moments but it’s funny, those sales are usually the ones that do really well. There really is something for everyone.
What were you doing before VP?
M: I was at Urban Daddy for a year and a half, working for a men’s buyer
O: I worked for the buying office at Macy’s in the fine jewelry department for a year.
And how long have you been at VP?
O & M: We’ve both been here for about 6 months.
Do you ever work with the styling team in France ever?
M: We communicate with the vente-privee France team about certain brands they’ve worked with and learn from their 11 years of experience, but we’re still doing new things everyday to figure out the American DNA for vente-privee.
Do you style all categories of clothing?
M & O: There are 6 categories and we both specialize in ready-to-wear.
What is the process of your whole job like, start to finish?
M: We first work with the brands to understand their style and learn what they want to get out of their sales event with us. Then we meet with our creative team and collaborate on a concept for the shoot. After the shoot, the images go through retouching and then the copy and e-commerce elements created in our downtown office et folded into the final sale page. In the meantime, the full inventory of the sale is sorted and prepped for our members to “drop in their carts” and shop away.
What is your favorite part about your job?
M: Sitting down with our creative team after we meet with the brand because we brainstorm how to make the collection as beautiful as possible.
You can check out the adorable shoes above and many more great sales events on venteprivee.com. To hear more from Orly and Marisa, be sure to add them as a stylist on GO TRY IT ON – and if you haven’t already, sign up now to become a member at venteprivee.com/register (it’s free!).
This story goes like this: Amanda Pearl Brotman (the adorable lady above) has just graduated college and was on the oh-so-not-chic job hunt. She sought out a creative outlet aside from editing her resume and working the interview circuit. This is when she started making handbags from her West Village apartment. After a few years of working for designers, she launched her own line called Amanda Pearl which has been worn by Emma Stone and oh—the cast of Gossip Girl!
Before we get down to business, please digest some light yet crucial do’s and dont’s from Amanda, herself.
What are your top five favorite restaurants in NYC?
Besides Amanda Pearl, where do you shop for bags and jewels—both on and off a budget?
On a Budget:
- A Flea market.
Off a Budget:
What do you crave at 4pm? Coffee, sweets, and peppier music!
What accessory trend can’t you stand right now? Hugely over-sized bags and heavily applied hardware and straps. S&M is not typically a good look on a handbag.
What is your fashion pet peeve? Minis with heels.
What is the most incredible piece of jewelry you’ve seen on a celebrity in the last month? I was super wowed by Busy Phillips’ Irene Neuwirth Opal and Diamond earrings at the 2012 Oscars (see below!)
Who are you dying to have wear your designs? Natalie Portman, Michelle Obama, Michelle Williams, Carrie Brownstein, Tina Fey, Rooney Mara, Kate Moss.
What urged you to create evening bags from your West Village apartment? I had collected the materials and needed a creative outlet while on the job hunt after graduation. I got to work sewing and embroidering what I envisioned for my fabrics and beads. The businesses formed a few years later after gaining experience working for other designers.
How did you evolve your brand from bags to jewelry to bridal? The segue to jewelry was a really natural one, as the collection itself was meant to be really jewel-like, and I was already using semi-precious stone beads and pearls and things on the bags themselves. Adding Bridal was also really natural, as the core of my collection is perfect for celebrations and special occasions, and the pieces are meant to be collected and held on to, which one tends to want to do with their bridal accessories.
What do you prefer to design, jewelry or handbags? Jewelry! It is like choosing my favorite child because while I do like to design bags, designer jewelry is more hands on. I can take them from idea to realization (and on my body) in a shorter order than the bags. I like the near-instant gratification!
What has been the single most exciting, pinch yourself moment for you? When my name was announced as the Fashion Group International Rising Star Award recipient for Accessories. It was the first time I realized that it was more than just myself and my family that knew “Amanda Pearl”, and that was pretty darn exciting.
How has your business changed the way you shop for jewelry and handbags? If I shop for a bag it has to be something really dissimilar from what I make, and if I shop for jewelry, it’s pretty much always going to be a vintage piece to add to my collection.
Can you tell us about your trip to Kenya and how it changed your outlook on your business? After my trip to Kenya I was even more aware of the need to be very thoughtful about what I contributed to the world, especially in terms of my business. I didn’t want to create “throwaway” things but pieces that would stand the test of time, and be made in a way that was as Earth friendly as possible—things that would even highlight the beauty of nature and our environment.
I was anxious to create collections that could bring attention to and earn money for organizations that are doing important work in conservation as well, and have since raised money or donated to organizations such as World Wildlife Fund, The David Sheldrick Wildlife Trust and Waterkeeper Alliance.
Amanda Pearl Pieces:
Irene Neuwirth Opal and Diamond Earrings worn by Busy Phillips’
Paper fashion is the product of Katie Rodgers’ artistic gift and keen sense of everything pretty. After graduating from Carnegie Mellon, she worked as an apparel designer by day and would illustrate when a free moment presented itself. Her nonstop urge to splash a white surface with color turned her talents into a business. Today, Paper Fashion is the home to her work which finds beauty in just about everything—some familiar, some not. If you’re looking to decorate your apartment’s blank walls with affordable silhouettes or just an excuse to get lost in beauty, visit Paper Fashion!
GO TRY IT ON: How did turn your talent into a profession?
PAPER FASHION: I worked from 9am-5pm as an apparel designer, then went home to illustrate and work on my blog—all night. I finally decided to take the plunge and work full time as an illustrator.
GO TRY IT ON: How did you get your name out there?
PAPER FASHION: My blog was huge a huge factor but I also think having a passion while being consistent and creative is important, too. Sometimes I illustrate prominent and inspiring people in the industry which also helps me get noticed - sometimes from the subject themselves!
GO TRY IT ON: What inspires your content?
PAPER FASHION: Furniture design, color, nature, fashion, people…the list goes on! It’s important to reevaluate how you look things, too. Sometimes you’ll see something different the second time around.
GO TRY IT ON: In addition to illustration, you love quotes! Where do you find them?
PAPER FASHION: I just love that feeling of finding a great quote, and thinking, “I feel the exact same way.” There are two I love right now:
- “Every artist was once an amateur.” –Emerson
- “Imagination is more important than knowledge.” –Einstein
GO TRY IT ON: What prints do you see people responding the most to?
PAPER FASHION: Chanel Iman, Chloe, and the Hummingbird.
GO TRY IT ON: Paint a picture of your work environment for us!
PAPER FASHION: Simple, colorful, and very me! I tape inspiration to my workspace wall, and rotate them out frequently. Oh, and string lights are a must.
GO TRY IT ON: If you could work with anyone in the world, dead or alive, who would it be?
PAPER FASHION: The Eames. Hands down. People say working in their office was like being at Disney World! I think they were such interesting people.
GO TRY IT ON: Where do you shop both on and offline?
PAPER FASHION: In store shopping is rare but I’ll go to Black Ink and Anthropologie. Online shopping is much more doable! My regulars are:
GO TRY IT ON: What is the best thing in your closet right now?
PAPER FASHION: My giant Hermés scarf with colorful ballerinas all over it! It was a gift that has lots of sentimental value.
GO TRY IT ON: What is the last thing you bought?
PAPER FASHION: A Kate Spade Gramercy watch. It’s simple with a tiny neon pink pop!
GO TRY IT ON: Who is your go-to person for fashion advice?
PAPER FASHION: My friend Melissa!
GO TRY IT ON: What song are you listening to on repeat?
PAPER FASHION: Baby I’m Yours by Breakbot & Irfane
GO TRY IT ON: What is your go-to snack at 4pm?
PAPER FASHION: Frozen grapes.
Picture this: you recently graduated college and are living with your friend in LA. Naturally, you decide to have a few parties—Christmas, Birthdays, etc.—and realize that as much as you love the night of, you love making the invitations more. This is the story of girlfriends turned business partners Brittany and Kimberly, cofounders of Walnut Paperie.
Before we get started, you should know…
- “We threw parties so we could create the invitations.” -K&B
- Hardest part of the business? Charging your friends.
- 4pm Snack: Diet Dr. Pepper
What gave you the idea to start Walnut Paperie? As roommates after college, we threw Christmas party designed the invitations, handmade a macaroon tower, and thought of as many festive cocktails as possible. From there we did invitations for a birthday party, fourth of july, you name it!
When did it turn from a passion to a business? We had our first paying clients from my sisters friends wedding, and it took off from there!
What was the hardest part of getting Walnut Paperie off the ground? Charging our friends and establishing our prices. There is just something weird about sending an invoice over to an old friend.
What is the best part of creating invitations? When a client takes the design into their hands and chooses a color combination that totally surprises us! We just did army and teal—a combination we don’t normally use—and now we are hooked!
What is the hardest part of creating invitations? Not being invited to the party!
What is your favorite event type to create an invitation for and why? Bridal showers because they’re extra girly (and we’re making them for ourselves!)
What is the key learning since starting your own business? Remembering it takes more than the design to keep this business running.
Where do you get all of the paper/material for your work? We get a lot of our essentials from Waste Not Paper, but are constantly running to Michaels and Staples.
Where do you ladies shop?
- Brittany: Madewell and Zella
- Kimberly: Milly, James Perse, J.Crew
- B&K: Five Stripes and Les Toiles Du Soleil (we love stripes!)
What is your go-to snack at 4pm? Diet Dr. Pepper
Where would you live if you could pick up and move to anywhere in the world? Parisin a charming building in the Marais.
We’d need 3 lofts:
- Kimberly and her husband
- My fiance, our two long haired dachshunds and me
- The WP France headquarters
What is your work environment like? It’s hard to beat sunny Southern California. We’re usually listening to music with diet Dr. Pepper and plenty of candy (sour for me, chocolate for Kimberly). Our computers are out and we share every idea.
What song are you currently listening to on repeat? The Bird & The Bee (especially loving the Interpreting the Masters album).
Last week brought Nadine Ferber’s first Manhattan success, Mick Margo, into your life changing your outfit one Isabel Marant piece at a time. Today we are tacking on another win for the local lady who changed the lives of NYC women by opening up nail salon tenoverten with Adair Ilyinsky. The business duo spent too much time tallying up their mani/pedi frustrations and put the charm back into the system. Why should a routine have to lose its elegance? Don’t thank us, thank them and make your appointment now.
Before we get started, you should know…
- iPads instead of magazines to avoid nail smudges…we know.
- “Come at a business idea from a consumer perspective.” -Nadine
- OPI Avoplex Cuticle Oil is a dry-nail saver.
- NARS Dovima is Nadine’s go-to summer color.
What was the reasoning behind opening tenoverten? Our list of nail-salon frustrations continued to grow which motivated us to open tenoverten. When you come at a business from a consumer perspective it helps address customer concerns and elevate the experience.
How did the opening of tenoverten fit with Mick Margo? Nails and fashion go hand in hand—we carry the polish at Mick Margo! Now when I go to fashion shows, I am just as focused on the models’ nails as I am on the clothes. However, nails appeal to everyone where as Mick Margo has a more specific demographic.
How many tenoverten customers are returning? It’s a total destination since were on the second floor and have minimal signage. We are excited for our 2nd location to open at the Parker Meridien hotel because traffic will be different, especially with the amazing DryBar as our neighbor.
What are people’s first reaction to seeing Ten Over Ten? They’re surprised and maybe doubtful! The space is very simple and free of large mechanical pedicure chairs and drying machines. Hopefully in the end they believe you can have a more natural and relaxing experience than what is mostly offered on corners across Manhattan.
What is your go-to manicure? Short, clean nails that are square shaped with a rounded edge in NARS Dovima for summer.
What are your bad nail habits that you just can’t kick? Dry nails! I have to apply OPI Avoplex Cuticle Oil religiously.
Do you find that women want to chat with each other or relax? It totally depends on the day and time but we love the social aspect of tenoverten. It’s great when customers strike up a conversation over their preferred nail colors.
I love the “Kiddie Manicure” service. Is this something you take pride in? We love when moms come in with their kids as we too have special memories of going with our moms at a young age.
Being a new mom myself, I hope to share that experience with my daughter one day soon. We are actually working on a mother’s day package right now where kids can bring in their moms as a treat too.
When did you launch your nail polish line and how does it differ from OPI and Essie? We launched the line about a year into the salon and leveraged our expert manicurists knowledge to develop a polish line with the perfect brush shape, length of cap, bottle size and of course colors (on sale at tenoverten). Our two exclusive summer colors are set to launch in May!
tenoverten offers iPads instead of magazines which is brilliant! Why do you think this is a must-have? We have 12 of them in the salon and thought it made sense instead of flipping through a soggy magazine (but we still have magazines for those who love good old fashioned paper!)
Photos by Amelia Alpaugh
We first heard about vintage-inspired Boxing Kitten from a GO TRY IT ON insider who said we just had to check out the print-heavy pieces and meet the talent behind it, designer Maya Lake! After checking out the website and recognizing the awesome pieces on some of our favorite ladies (Beyonce and Fergie below), we were sold on the designs. Then, after reading about Maya on Refinery 29, we were sold on the designer. She wrote her college senior thesis on African American women’s fashion during the Civil Rights Movement which led to her first collection in 2008. She’s pretty amazing and we would love for you to meet her, too.
“Don’t hide behind your hair. Chop it once, at least while you’re young.” -Maya Lake
How did your college education influence your career? I was an African American Studies major in college and was writing my senior thesis on how women used fashion as a political statement during the Civil Rights Movement, to show their humanity and fit in with society. In the ’50s, students in Greensboro, NC would attend meetings before protests where they were told to dress as they were going to church-wear dresses and keep your hair tidy.
In the 60s, things changed. Dress became influenced by the Black Panthers and women wore pants, berets, leather jackets and let their hair go wild to show their cultural heritage instead of hiding it by conforming.
To compliment my written thesis, I designed 15 looks that were presented at a fashion show. I pictured two women and what they’d wear.
Where is Boxing Kitten based and produced? We are in New Jersey and the pieces are manufactured in New York.
The prints are incredibly rich and powerful. Where do they come from? Mostly from West Africa, some from Holland. I gravitate towards the brighter prints and will get it in as many colors as I can if I find one I love. I physically get the prints from a distributor and there a few stores that carry a lot of stock of the prints. I would love to travel and find them myself!
Some people find prints tough on their figure. How should we wear prints? Combining prints together can be really easy to wear. Sometimes people are apprehensive to pair multiple patterns in one outfit but if go for polka dots and vertical stripes, they wear very well together. I do try and avoid horizontal stripes.
What’s up next for Boxing Kitten? I really want to continue working with Urban Outfitters and would love to work with Anthropologie—they’re a good fit for me.
Aaron at Osborn has been blowing up since we collaborated but I’d love to grab him for another collaboration when things calm down! I’ve been toying with the idea of doing a collection of menswear which is probably the next things that i’d do. I have to talk to Aaron about that!
What has been the most amazing moment for you as a designer? Erykah Badu wore a dress of ours in Giant Magazine in February 2009 and she was the first person I saw in it. Before that I was kind of like “I’m going to see if this idea works” but when I saw her I was like, “Oh, things have gotten serious! People are going to be asking for it, I have to get to work!”
Also, I was just in the Urban Outfitters in Georgetown, DC and saw my designs hanging on the racks. It was amazing.
What are you listening to on repeat? LCD Soundsystem
As a designer, have you had a cringe moment of someone wearing your clothes? Yes! Someone, who will remain nameless, wore a skirt from Fall/Winter ‘11 that was gathered a velvet maxi skirt. It has a mini skirt underneath and a slit in the back. She wore it backwards and the slit was in the front—during fashion week! It really my gears.
What are your top 5 restaurants:
- Blue Ribbon
- Freemans
- Raymond’s on Church St. in Montclair, NJ
- Costanera in Montclair, NJ
