Girlhood is one of the buzzwords taking social media by storm, finding a place alongside any and all celebrations of femininity. In the past two years, the color pink has become a top presence on runways and streets around the world, thanks to dopamine dressing, the Barbie movie, and the social media reclamation of all things feminine. Aesthetic trends like Barbiecore, balletcore, and Regencycore have revived many women’s affinities for conventionally feminine makeup, outfits, and home decor. 

Third-year law student Jasmine Campise is welcoming the trend in its entirety with her New York City-based brand FUN+CUTE. EnVi spoke with Jasmine about embracing femininity, uplifting women, and the challenges of running a small business.

The FUN+CUTE Origins

Before she was a third-year law student, Jasmine nurtured her long-standing interest in fashion at the Fashion Institute of Technology (FIT). “I have always made fashion sketches, ever since I was young. I think it runs in my family,” Jasmine says. Growing up, she was surrounded by her grandparents’ work at their manufacturing factory in Chinatown. Though she didn’t work at the factory, she recognized her love for design early on.

When she finished her undergraduate degree at the FIT, Jasmine followed in her father’s footsteps and enrolled in law school. “It felt like this familiar path that was safe,” she explains. But as she nears her graduation, she has come to understand that regardless of what her next step is, she needs to do something she loves. Right now, Jasmine finds joy in curating her style identity and expressing herself, even as a full-time student. “I feel more excited about what I’m going to wear to law school than actually being in law school,” she says, laughing. 

At any given moment, Jasmine is balancing her law school responsibilities, fitness goals, and daily chores. Since she is always on the go, Jasmine’s preferred uniform to power through her to-do list is activewear. As someone who enjoys the comfort of athleticwear and the playfulness of feminine details, she struggled to find daily attire that matched her personal style. Thus, when Jasmine realized she could fill the gap in the market, FUN + CUTE was born.

The Real Elle Woods Experience

FUN+CUTE was founded with the mission to bridge femininity and activewear in a novel way. Tapping into the internet’s recent love for Y2K visuals and all things feminine, Jasmine created her first line of products. Drawing inspiration from the girls of New York, supermodel Bella Hadid, and nostalgic cartoon characters such as Hello Kitty and Sailor Moon, Jasmine spent months designing and refining a series of matching activewear sets. During that time, she even dealt with one of the biggest hurdles that come with starting a business: sourcing quality materials while staying within budget. With time, extensive research, and many conversations with suppliers, Jasmine was able to secure resources for her brand.

When it launched in February 2023, FUN+CUTE offered gym-ready sportswear products in black, baby pink, and pastel blue slate colorways. Many of the items were decorated with tastefully placed bow appliques, a touch that preempted the rise of bows as the epitome of the girlhood revolution. The thoughtful design of each sports bra is meant to provide functionality without sacrificing style, evident in the double-layered fabric, snap buttons, and adjustable straps. Since her first drop, Jasmine has expanded her lineup to include more products in the same colors.

With more people discovering FUN+CUTE on social media, Jasmine encountered the unexpected challenge of dealing with counterfeit products. As her social media following gradually increased, so did the number of replicas of her work. Even at FUN+CUTE’s six-month mark, there were already other brands taking her designs and imagery. “At first I was kind of excited and I was like wow, like, that’s cool. That’s kind of like validating,” Jasmine says. “But after a while, it just kind of got annoying… that’s where going to law school kind of helps me,” she adds, explaining she was able to write cease and desist letters thanks to her legal education. 

Juggling a small business, law school, and personal life does pose a time management challenge, but Jasmine has found a way to accept the sometimes chaotic rhythm of her schedule. She splits her time between studying and attending to her business and tries to keep the two separate. For example, if she prioritizes her studies in the morning, she’ll set time aside in the evening to focus solely on FUN+CUTE. Try as she might, though, Jasmine can’t resist putting in extra hours for her business — after all, it takes a lot of effort to run a company. “It sounds bad, but to me, work is life and life is work,” she says with a laugh. “If somebody emails me at 11 p.m. I’ll probably try to respond.”

Making Lifting Fun and Cute

With the rest of 2024 on the horizon, Jasmine is thinking about what the future of FUN+CUTE looks like. What started as a passion project has quickly grown into a small, but dedicated community of online supporters who quickly sell out the brand’s drops. Throughout the entire process of growing her brand, Jasmine has maintained a friendly relationship with FUN+CUTE consumers. Not only does she regularly share photos of people wearing her products on the FUN+CUTE socials, but she also recently started a “Cute Chat” series that highlights a “cute girl” every month. “I want other people to feel a part of it,” Jasmine says, emphasizing the two-way nature of her interactions with fans of the brand.  

Jasmine’s original plan to make fun and cute activewear has grown into a journey of empowering women to feel their best, whether they’re lifting weights in the gym or running errands. For Jasmine, FUN+CUTE is one way that she balances her interest in fashion with working out — which she does five times a week.

“It’s this very masculine energy coming from fitness in general,” Jasmine explains. She refers to the abundance of male-oriented supplement marketing strategies and the uninviting intensity that radiates from public weight-lifting areas as part of the driving force behind her dedication to FUN+CUTE. Specifically, the brand’s coquette-approved pieces can make fitness more welcoming for women who are hesitant to get started. “I feel like making girly and cute activewear is almost a way of bringing femininity into that,” Jasmine says. “You can look cute and be feminine and also be the only girl in the weight room.” 

Though Jasmine might not have concrete plans for this year’s releases — in her own words, she tends to be spontaneous with her decisions, since she’s not a full-fledged corporation — she does have a lot of designs she hopes to produce. Jasmine is looking to expand her work with FUN+CUTE through creative collaborations with influencers, photographers, and potentially other designers. And, of course, she plans on revisiting her original designs and continuing to perfect each FUN+CUTE piece as she grows.

But, in a world of fast-paced fashion releases, Jasmine is not in a rush. Her small-batch drops with FUN+CUTE are designed and produced with intention and in a limited capacity — with no pressure to succumb to arbitrary deadlines or ever-changing trends. As she celebrates her brand’s one year anniversary this February, Jasmine is staying true to her intentions, finding joy in everyday treats, and empowering women to embrace their feminine side.

Get The FUN+CUTE Look

FUN+CUTE brings fashionable femininity to gym-goers and athleisure lovers alike. Treat yourself to available FUN+CUTE offerings and keep up with the brand for their March restock — which may include the launch of an exciting new product. 

Want to read more fashion content? Check out content creator Kelly Kim’s guide to hoodie styling here. 

The post Fashion Spotlight: FUN+CUTE Is Reimagining Athleticwear appeared first on EnVi Media.

Hanna Song, artistically known as SONGHANNA, is a rising multimedia designer from South Korea. The multidisciplinary creative has been active in fashion since 2018 when she presented her graduation project. Despite initiating her career only four years ago, Hanna has successfully crafted a signature style — one that’s best described as a blend of architectural, structural, and experimental forms. Abstract at first glance, her pieces are recognized for creating stunning compositions in editorial photography and performances. 

Chatting with EnVi, the artist gets real about the meaning of her work, what inspires her, and how she envisions the future. 

The Beginning of Her Artistry

Hanna Song felt her calling to create art and make clothes at a young age. As a child, she was passionate about creating things by hand, from paper craft activities to altering her clothes so they fit exactly how she wanted. This hobby slowly lit a fire inside of her. “Every time I looked at clothes, I began seeing more and more things to be altered and ended up thinking I should just make [clothes] myself,” she says. 

As she grew older, her love for creating never faded and Hanna went on to formally study fashion at university. After honing her skills and artistry, she is now dedicated to creating work as a freelance designer while also exploring her ideas through other mediums. Despite her continuous growth, Hanna still produces all her work on her own, only enlisting the help of friends when she needs an extra pair of hands.

To keep herself inspired, Song looks at various sources of inspiration. However, she mentions one specific designer that influenced her at the beginning of her career. “The fashion brand I was most influenced by when I first started fashion was Thom Browne,” she tells EnVi. “The fine and witty details in Thom’s childlike ideas made me want to challenge myself to [create] unconventional yet elaborate designs.” 

Inspiration and Influences

With most of her work focusing on forms and silhouettes, it also makes sense that Hanna finds architecture and everyday objects fascinating. “Because my vision is focused on silhouettes, the biggest inspiration to me is something — movement, shadows, etc. — found in architecture, furniture, and everyday life objects that are layered in a complex way to form a single silhouette,” she explains. In tandem with buildings and interiors, Hanna also reveals her interest in traditional Korean culture and furniture.

SONGHANNA’s architectural pieces, which contain explorations of folds, lines, and silhouettes, reflect this affection for lines and geometry — distinctive traits of any Hanna Song piece. This structural style shines even brighter thanks to the refined craftsmanship her pieces flaunt. As the artist explains, the sleekness in her work comes from her natural desire for order and clarity. “My designs are clear and strong with a softness underneath, and I strive for order and moderation.”

In addition to her love for architecture and abstract forms, Hanna also gets inspired by objects with distinct lines and curves. “I find inspiration from the sharp geometric designs like bones, architecture, and anything with organic curves. The most impressionable moment was three years ago when I read a book on animal anatomy. The various figures of different skeletons and outstretched lines still have a place in my memory.”

How Art and Fashion Collide

Although her main field of exploration is fashion, Hanna Song doesn’t want to be boxed in as a fashion designer. As a lover of arts, she enjoys other mediums of expression, including pottery, painting, and sculpture. Art and fashion have always been intertwined, so the designer finds that this connection between crafts helps her widen her artistic perspective.

“I first loved clothes, and then I loved sculptures. My eyes went to painting, and I fell under the charm of pottery. In the end, what I liked was the art of creating something that stirred my heart,” she shares. “Art and fashion interact with each other, and at the very least, art broadens and diversifies fashion. Furthermore, from a fundamental point of view, only the means and materials of expression are different, but everything we express is art, so I think fashion is a part of art.”

Working with the Stars

Boasting a portfolio of one-of-a-kind, artistic pieces, it’s no surprise that SONGHANNA’s designs have caught the attention of renowned names in the entertainment Industry. Some famous faces that have donned her pieces include NCT’s Taeyong, EXO’s Kai, and GOT7’s Mark Tuan. 

For a relatively private person, working on high-profile projects came along with a surprise — but it was a positive one. “What surprised me the most about working with famous K-pop idols were the fans. […] The most interesting experience was feeling their influence through their fandom,” Hanna says.  

About the creative process, the designer shares that she keeps rediscovering her love for fashion with every new project. “A few months ago, I stayed up all night working in the studio with a team member, and that was a moment where I felt genuinely happy. Even though I’ve been making clothes for a long time, I felt especially good because that moment was when I realized anew that I could still be thrilled and breathless just by designing.”

With her unfading love for the creative industry and an ever-growing desire to expand her horizons, Hanna wishes to collaborate with other creatives in the future. “It would be nice if the people that wear my designs match the creative direction I want to pursue, but in the future, I feel stronger toward collaborating with artists of various fields to actualize and make more creative and elaborate designs,” she shares. 

An Exploration of Movement

In the meantime, Hanna continues to strengthen her resumé with solo projects that push the boundaries between fashion and art. Last year, the designer organized a showcase titled, “MOVEMENT WITH FREEDOM.” She came up with the name after watching a dancing scene and realizing that freedom can be limited to what the human body can achieve.  

“Because the human body has limits to which one can stretch, turn, and bend, unless there is a change to our physical properties, there cannot be movement of ‘complete freedom.’ I think freedom is the act of breaking a mold and creating another mold, so movement defined by shape — the shape of the human body — gives us a sense of stability,” she elaborates. “I think [that] to a certain degree inside societal molds, human nature aligns with the human desire to be free, and I defined movement as a part of the process of creating every individual’s own mold of freedom. In conclusion, I came up with this title to set a new mold by transforming the standardized mold of the human body and to ask the question ‘what is the form of freedom you define and where is it headed?’”

The Ideal Future

While Hanna hints at preparations for a long-term project on Korean aesthetics, she admits that the ultimate goal is to evoke thoughts and reflection through her work. The artist wishes to leave a lasting impression with her designs, one that makes people revisit her body of work and feel emotion. “They can laugh, be intrigued, be in awe. I hope my designs aren’t something the audience sees once and moves past, but rather, something that lingers in their heads like a scent that brings the design to mind again,” she says. 

What kind of artist does Hanna Song hope to become in the future? “I currently have a big desire to seek learning and strengthen my inner worth. So even if I’m a little slow, I’m planning to throw myself into working with an inquiring attitude.” The artist elaborates, “I want to be wise in recklessness. Because recklessness requires quite a bit of courage and drive. My ideal future is [being able] to consistently present to people the small but special things in my vision.”

Craving more fashion content? Revisit the highlights of Copenhagen Fashion Week here. 

The post Fashion Spotlight: The World of SONGHANNA appeared first on EnVi Media.

A woman with bright, red lips nestled in an oversized coat. A man decked out in head-to-toe leather with a hard expression to match; another in all-fur with a giant staff in hand. These are just some of the idiosyncratic characters found in the work of Seoul photographer Kim Dong Hyun. While South Korean society pressures people to blend in, Kim’s photography unveils a rich world of senior fashionistas; an older generation of trailblazers who refuse conformity by asserting themselves creatively. Flip through his work, and you’ll find hints of logomania, gorpcore, and even a splash of Y2K. “Do they know?” Kim once asked himself, “are they trying to follow these trends on purpose? Or do they just dress like this?” Kim began his photography project to answer these very questions. 

Fashionable From the Start 

Photographer Kim Dong Hyun cultivated an interest in fashion from a young age. His grandmother owned a children’s clothing store, so he always had first dibs on the trendiest clothes. Kim’s interest in fashion persisted through middle and high school, and he later went on to study fashion at university. It was at this time that he started taking photos for fun. “I was starting school a bit late, so I was looking for some kind of extracurricular activity to boost my credentials,” he shared with EnVi. Inspiration struck upon a visit to Seoul’s Dongmyo Market. 

Kim was a frequent visitor to Dongmyo Market, a huge flea market in the center of Seoul where shoppers can find stylish and affordable pieces. While sifting through piles of clothing, he realized he was reaching for the same things as the market’s older patrons. He grew more attuned to the styles of the older generation and developed an eye to spot the most fashionable among them. However, the photographer wondered why there wasn’t anyone talking about them. So, he brought his camera out and scoped out older Seoul neighborhoods to snap his favorite looks. 

Mut

What began as a fun hobby quickly became a serious profession when his go-to darkroom offered him their space for a solo exhibition. His photos were warmly received, and the positive reception became a huge source of encouragement for Kim. Bolstered by the success of the show, the creative took his project to the next level: publishing a photography book of his favorite outfits thus far. Aptly titled Mut: ​​Street Fashion Of Seoul —the Korean word meaning something along the lines of zest, style, or cool— the book is a distillation of Kim’s fashionable, but otherwise inexplicable subjects. His work has since been featured in international publications such as The Guardian, Huffington Post, and Vogue. 

An Empathetic Lens   

From subject to the viewer and vice-versa, empathy is at the core of Kim’s photographs. “I am so grateful that people I have never met could relate to my work,” the photographer said. He wants his photos to bridge generational differences by depicting subjects through a trendy lens, a kind of treatment rarely doled out to older generations. Through this, his photos subvert ageist cliches and champion the subject’s styles, not in spite of their age, but because of it. “I intentionally take photos of people wearing clothes that are fashionable and relatable to the younger people’s trends. It’s my way of showing people that the older generation can be stylish even when fashion changes so quickly.” 

Comments under Kim’s Instagram posts reveal the success of his project. “He knows how to live life!” reads one comment.  “I wanna be just like this guy when I grow up,” reads another. Enclaves of younger people are able to relate to fellow fashion lovers regardless of age. For Kim too, his photos have been a source of strength and inspiration. He can distinctly remember one specific photo taken during an especially difficult moment in his life. 

At the time, Vogue Korea asked the photographer to take photos for an upcoming issue. Kim was given two months for the project, but he was running into huge roadblocks. “I was used to getting rejected if I asked for a photo, but I would go days without getting a single one.” The pressure was all the greater because Kim was supposed to be looking for jobs, but was spending all his time trying to get a good photo. Then, a woman appeared at Namdaemun Market looking like a chimera. Her hair was violet, and her silver shoes dazzled in the light. He carefully approached her for a photo, and she enthusiastically said yes. After snapping a few photos, he immediately ran to get it developed. “I can’t really describe the inexplicable joy I felt when I saw the photo. It felt like the painful last few days were leading up to this moment.” 

The Future of Fashion 

Kim’s work has given him a lot to think about in terms of his own style. He has learned from his encounters with people who are fashionable not in their ability to track and mimic trends, but in their dedication to crafting a distinct personal style. This realization reverberates the famous distinction between fashion and style. “Now, when I go shopping, I first think about if it really suits me,” Kim explained, recognizing the value of learning from our elders. The photographer adds that he hopes to see better inclusion of older people in the fashion world. “We must start creating a culture where we respect our elders if we want to feel that respect later.” 

Find more fashionable seniors by following Kim Dong Hyun’s work on Instagram.

Tap into the minds of more leading figures in the creative industry. Check out more of EnVi’s creative spotlights here.

The post Fashion Spotlight: Kim Dong Hyun, the Seoul Street Photographer Propping Older Fashion Icons appeared first on EnVi Media.

Mentored by the Fabergé of Footwear, Roger Vivier, and the pop art genius Andy Warhol, shoe designer Mark Schwartz has accumulated plenty of bragging rights throughout his career. In the span of four decades, Schwartz has created custom designs for everyone from Jackie Kennedy Onassis and Oprah Winfrey to pop icons, Madonna and Lady Gaga. Schwartz has also collaborated with some of the biggest fashion houses in the world including Chanel, Balenciaga, Gucci, and Marc Jacobs, just to name a few. 

In his latest endeavor, Schwartz has joined forces with Riva Wilkins to launch the footwear and leather goods brand DEIJI. Through a call from Italy, the designer talked to EnVi ahead of his brand’s New York Fashion Week debut on the runway of Flying Solo. Herein, Mark Schwartz discusses his mentors’ influence on his work, the highlights of his career, and growing DEIJI like a flower. 

With such a long-standing career, what inspired you to create a new brand and how did you come up with the name DEIJI?

It’s a combination of several things. It’s a combination of my business partner Riva Wilkins, and [the goal of] really creating a brand that makes a difference and that reaches out to people. We picked daisies first [as inspiration] and then we decided, instead of obviously calling the brand Daisy, what would be an alternative name? DEIJI is the name of daisies in Korean and Japanese, so that’s basically how that came from. I love the word itself, I love the way it’s spelled, and I love the pronunciation. Sometimes you just know when something is right and that was the gut feeling. 

You’ve previously mentioned Asian pop culture as part of the inspirations behind DEIJI. What is it that inspires you about pop culture and how is it translated into DEIJI?

I love Asian pop culture for the color, for the literal pop and eloquence that we see within it. This is part of DEIJI. DEIJI is a classic brand with a twist. That’s how pop culture comes in, with the eloquence and with a twist in design, meaning that everything we do is well thought out, handcrafted and it pops. 

You’re also well known for your shoe artwork. How do you balance the technical part of shoe design with creating artwork, which obviously has fewer constraints?

The artwork is an extension of who I am, I really enjoy painting and I really enjoy painting shoes, as you can see. [Meanwhile] working with DEIJI, I’m really hands-on, I’m in Italy a lot. I spend a lot of time here and I work alongside the people who work on our products. I go to the factory every day, I work on the design, I work on the heels, I work on the materials, and I work with the factory to physically produce samples and production, and that goes to bags and belts as well. 

I watched a video of you creating shoe artwork. You were literally glowing. How are drawing and painting part of your creative process? 

[Laughs] Thank you for saying that and that’s a great question. It really is because that [artwork] is a great part of the creative journey. It fuels what comes out of me in the end. Painting to me is like a primer. It opens up my senses and it opens up my mind and I translate part of that into creating for DEIJI. Paint is a base for me. It’s like meditation. 

How did you start painting, by the way?

I was very fortunate. When I was [working] with Roger Vivier, I met Andy Warhol and he was a big influence on me. I knew Andy for the last three years of his life. He was another mentor for me. He liked the way I sketched and the way I fooled around with markers and drawing shoes and he was really the one who pushed me and put in my ear to start painting with watercolors and whatnot. That’s basically where the push came from, Andy Warhol himself. 

That’s an amazing mentor to have.

Yes, Vivier and Warhol. I was very fortunate at a young age in my mid to late 20s to have those two people [as my mentors].

You started your career working alongside Roger Vivier, how has that influenced your career?

Roger Vivier had an influence on me and still today, he’s been an influence in every single thing I do. He was one of my biggest friends and I really owe a lot to Roger. He has influenced everything that I’ve done since working with him and becoming his Creative Director.

Were you always interested in design? 

Honestly, I always had an interest in design and not just fashion, but also buildings and architectural design, I loved car design too. There are so many forms of design that I love, but it just happened to fall into place working for Roger. That’s where I really fell into shoe design. Shoes are so architectural and they’re so structural that they really filled the void for me. 

What are your goals for DEIJI in the short term and also, what are some lessons you’ve learned while building the brand?

We’re growing it at a reasonable pace. We’re learning what works and what doesn’t work, which is wonderful. Where do I see it? Right now we’re growing it online, we’re fortunately working with Flying Solo in Soho, and we will be moving to open with them in Paris and other locations, so that’s one goal. The second goal is to reach a number of wholesale clients, meaning other stores around the world. I see DEIJI becoming not only a strength in America but also an international brand in the next three to five years.

I learn lessons every day. I learn what to do and what not to do. The whole formula of working and building a brand is [to have] the right team on both sides of the world, and being able to have the right people surrounding you. And that’s what we’re at right now. We have the right people over here and the right people in America building the brand. So we learn lessons like everyone else: what to do on social media, what not to do, what works as far as advertising, and things like that. That’s all fun and that’s all great. You know we live in an ever-changing world where technology is king and that’s another thing, but we’re balancing things right now with technology and life itself. That’s my lesson. 

You just mentioned changes in the industry, have those influenced your work somehow?

Yes and no. We’re headed towards a more technology-based [industry] and that’s something important, but I am also old school and I like to watch design in its truest form. So I’m somewhere in the middle. I enjoy literally drawing from scratch on a piece of paper and today a lot of things are done digitally, so I try to meet in the middle somewhere.

What have you learned or unlearned by working so closely with producers and manufacturers?

Now it’s more about maturity, I’ve been doing this for over 38 years and I work very closely now, in a different way than I did before. It’s really working with people that I know and factories that I feel are the best for DEIJI. That’s where the difference is today, in my line of work. 

As far as sustainable materials go, every month I try to find something new, I try to find ways to improve what a DEIJI product can be like in the future. Sustainable materials are part of that. I think we must be more aware of our situation out there, [about] plastics and other materials harming our planet. DEIJI will definitely be part of the [sustainable] movement in the future. I personally have one foot in the door [when it comes to] working with more alternative and biological materials. 

Summing Up 

The Designer: Mark Schwartz

The Mentors: Roger Vivier and Andy Warhol

The Advice: “Today, with technology design has changed and we’ve entered a digital world and landscape. The best advice I can give you is ‘be yourself,’ number one, and number two, learn how to design and how to draw pencil to paper. I think using physical motor skills is the most important. Once you can draw and sketch with your hands and your mind, I think you can take that and transform it into a digital way. But go the old school way first, pencil to paper.”

The Brand: DEIJI (daisy in Korean and Japanese)

About the Brand: “DEIJI is really a wonderful, elegant, up-and-coming brand that’s really going places. For me, It’s my baby and a big part of my life. Let’s see where it goes over the next two to three years because we have a lot of high ambitions and we’ve got a lot of people on our side. Look out for us during New York Fashion Week, where DEIJI will make its debut in conjunction with Flying Solo.”

Want to read more about people in fashion? Check out 5 pieces of career advice from industry professionals here!

The post Fashion Spotlight: Shoe Design Icon Mark Schwartz is Hands-on With his New Brand, DEIJI appeared first on EnVi Media.

In this day and age, countless fashion brands tout inclusivity as a core value. However, few prioritize it in the way Tanner Fletcher—the creative brainchild of midwesterners Tanner Richie and Fletcher Kasell—does. Reimagining fashion and interior design of decades past, the young creatives are serious contenders to become fashion’s new favorite duo. Fresh off the brand’s resort 2023 collection unveiling, Fletcher Kasell talked to EnVi about Tanner Fletcher’s serendipitous beginnings, genderless fashion, and creating a dream world through his eponymous brand.  

Serendipitous Beginnings

When the COVID-19 pandemic hit in 2020, college-sweethearts-turned-business-partners Tanner Richie and Fletcher Kasell were ready to graduate and enter the labor force. But in the global lockdown-induced mayhem, the two felt that their job searches would be fruitless. “With COVID taking over, we sort of panicked and felt like it wasn’t likely that we would be hired anytime soon,” Kasell tells EnVi. That’s when the couple—who met as freshman roommates at the University of Minnesota—ventured on a “side hustle.” 

With backgrounds in fashion merchandising and interior design respectively, Kasell and Richie started to design handmade tote bags and “COVID-wear”—their term for sweatsuits and tees. In no time, their products ended up being selected by six stockists throughout the US. The designer duo took the accomplishment as a sign to take their passion to the next level. “This was the signal that this may be more than a side hustle. We quickly shifted gears to a more intentional business and created a dream world called Tanner Fletcher.”

In 2021, Tanner Fletcher made their official debut with an SS22 collection. For their launch, the couple combined their experience in fashion and interior design to create a nostalgia-infused home and clothing line. The collection contained elements now considered signatures of the brand: knits, ruffled and ruched textiles, wallpaper prints, and, most importantly, pussy-bows—because as Kasell explains, they love a good bow.

Tanner And Fletcher’s Dream World

These stylistic choices are far from being coincidental. The universe Tanner Richie and Fletcher Kasell have built for their namesake brand is in many ways a reflection of themselves—their dream world as they put it. “We really wanted to create a dream world that we felt was missing from the market when we were shopping for our personal wardrobes.” Kasell further elaborates, “Creating this world is a huge part of our creative expression. From our photoshoots to our events and our mix of product categories like home and jewelry, self-expression is a huge part of our design process.” 

That last part is hard to overlook. Richie and Kasell have reimagined fashion and interior design imprinting their personal taste on their collections. For instance, the various use of fabrics, textures, and details, Kasell says, can be traced back to Richie’s interior design background. Meanwhile, the brand’s silhouettes, prints, and patterns are connected to the cofounders’ penchant for thrifting and referencing past eras. When it comes to their creative influences, however, there’s more than meets the eye. Rooted in nostalgia, the duo pulls inspiration from a multitude of places like arts and crafts, Hollywood regency, the English countryside, and even gogo disco eras. “We really like the feeling of nostalgia and always try to get that feeling across to our customers in our collections.”

One Brand Fits All

At a more personal level, when conceptualizing their brand, Richie and Kasell turned their own life experiences into cues for universe-building. “Tanner and I have always shopped between the men’s and the women’s department and have received our fair share of dirty looks and judgment from doing so. Our first order of business was getting rid of that and making certain that others won’t have to go through that when it comes to Tanner Fletcher,” Kasell states.

With that mission in mind, the emerging designer duo embraced a genderless approach to fashion. “We wanted to create a very inclusive and diverse brand that can pertain to multiple audiences and age groups,” Kasell shares, not without acknowledging the challenges he and his partner have encountered in their quest to build a business that’s inclusive in every sense of the word. “Our biggest challenge has been creating a size chart without gender labels. We’ve constantly been perfecting this and now have a great sizing scale and chart to go along with it. I think this will always be evolving and will continue to be perfected but we’ve come up with a really easy-to-digest way of sizing,” he says of their system, which includes sizes ranging from 0 to 5.

Considering the previous statements, it is already evident that both designers are committed to turning their brand into a byword for inclusivity. However, when asked about the changes Tanner Fletcher hopes to see in the fashion industry, Kasell emphasizes, “I think inclusivity is the right word for it all. Of course, being a genderless brand, we want to be a leader in changing gender norms and getting rid of unnecessary labels in the industry. [But] we hope that other brands will follow and together we can make fashion a much more inclusive world in terms of gender. Another piece of inclusivity that we’d like to see is the people in the imagery and the overall appearance of the industry. This means more age inclusivity, more diversity in skin tones, culture and race, and more size inclusivity, all in addition to gender. […] We want to see real people wearing our clothing and will portray [our] brand in that way.”

A Brand Rooted In Authenticity

Real people wearing Tanner Fletcher’s designs is what the brand showed in their sophomore collection, aptly titled “Housewarming Party.” In between a diverse cast of models—including Kasell’s sister—the playful tailoring, and the interior decoration imprint, somehow, what stood out the most for editors and journalists was the spontaneous and familiar ambiance of the gathering. It is no wonder that Kasell regards this presentation as a highlight for the brand. “Overall, this experience has been incredible. It is certainly filled with a lot of amazing highs and some lows as well. So far, one of the biggest highlights was our FW22 presentation last February. It was our first ever fashion show and it was a wonderful experience. We both have really supportive families and had our parents, siblings and even some aunts and cousins fly in to help us out on our big day,” he recounts. “The family really stole the show which really speaks to the personality of the brand. I had editors and influencers coming up to me saying they met my family and were so happy to speak with them. They really made the experience special for us because we felt more supported than ever before.”

_{Images Courtesy of Tanner Fletcher. Photography by George Ngatuvai.}

However, the support for the young designers’ work is not limited to their personal circles. Despite their short career, Richie and Kasell are quickly becoming industry favorites, with stars such as the Stranger Things actor, Jamie Campell-Bower and the K-pop group CRAVITY donning their designs on the covers of magazines. With the positive reception their work has received, one might suppose the couple is aiming for greater growth, but Kasell recaps their takeaways and goals in one word: authenticity.

The greatest lesson learned in Tanner Fletcher’s incipient journey, he says, is staying true to themselves. “Our brand is constantly growing and evolving so there is often a lot of noise surrounding us on what to design and business choices to make. We are so thankful for a lot of this and have utilized a lot of it. But in the end, we need to stay true to what we believe in and what we create. It’s easy to be influenced by all this noise and get off the path but we’ve really learned to trust ourselves and stay true to what we believe in,” he reflects.  

As for their plans for the future, Kasell reiterates, “The goal is to keep doing what we’re doing while staying true to ourselves. We will continue to build upon this world we’re creating by adding more categories like shoes and handbags as well as continue using this platform with intention, by making change.” And change Tanner Fletcher is surely making. 

Summing Up

The Brand: Tanner Fletcher

The Designers: Tanner Richie and Fletcher Kasell

The City: Hailing from Wisconsin (Tanner) and Minnesota (Fletcher), the brand is currently based in New York. 

The Influences: Past eras, Hollywood regency, arts and crafts, English countryside and even gogo disco eras.

The Favorite Pieces: “We sometimes like to call ourselves the ‘pussy-bow boys’ because we love a good bow. You’ll notice many of our designs have some sort of bow embellishment or pussy-bow around the neck. These are usually my favorite pieces because they work perfectly on their own or under a blazer or jacket. Another favorite is anything in our signature tapestry fabric. This textile actually comes from tapestry blankets and is made out of recycled cotton. To me, this material is unlike anything I’ve seen before and feels really special when wearing it.”

The Advice: “Always stay true to yourself and your vision. Remember that there will always be obstacles but no matter what background you come from, fight for what you believe in and find a way to be heard. Tanner and I come from your average middle-class families, both from small towns, and are gay, feminine boys. If we can cut through the noise, so can you!”

The Core Inspiration: “Being a genderless brand, we are inspired by enabling our consumers to have self-expression and be who they want to be without unnecessary labels.”

Do you enjoy reading about the people behind your favorite fashion brands? Check out our interview with Jessica Wu, the PR Force behind Peter Do. 

The post Fashion Spotlight: Tanner Fletcher Is Creating A World For Everybody to Live In appeared first on EnVi Media.

Helen-Sage and Rachel Lee, co-founders and CEOs of PRISM Bags, are on a mission to enact change, both in the fashion industry and beyond. The identical twin sisters are responsible for leading the movement to end the pink tax and increase access to menstrual products in California. For the past few years, however, the two have been expanding into the fashion industry with PRISM Bags. EnVi sat down with Helen-Sage and Rachel on Zoom to talk about being AAPI small business owners, PRISM’s mid-pandemic beginnings, and their environmentally-friendly and empowering brand mission.

A Mid-Pandemic Launch

Everything started with their personal experience traveling the country to advocate for reform. The Lee sisters would bring both functional, “Dora the Explorer-type” bags for their travel essentials, as well as presentable totes to look professional when meeting with governors — it was an inconvenience to keep track of so many items. “Something we realized was that the market was missing something for mission-driven folks like us, that was sustainable with mission-driven values, was functional, and was nice enough to carry for everyday occasions but also for work or school that we wanted to dress up for,” Rachel said. And so, in November of 2020, the Emblem Convertible Belt Bag was born.

But it wasn’t exactly that simple. Helen-Sage and Rachel originally had different plans for their first product, which was meant to be a larger on-the-go work bag. Given pandemic conditions in 2020, which left many people working from home and attending virtual classes, the two realized their idea needed a COVID-19-friendly revamp. “It took a long time for us to be able to regroup and make the pivotal decision to not launch the work bag that we thought people would have carried before the pandemic,” Rachel said.

The Emblem Convertible Belt Bag was created with the pandemic reality in mind: there’s a small pocket to fit a mask and other essentials for socially-distant coffee runs or hikes. “I would say it really shaped PRISM into who we are today, both as people that really care about how products are intended to be used and reflective of how people carry things every single day,” Rachel said. By persevering and prioritizing consumer needs, the Lee sisters overcame some of the struggles inherent in launching a small business during the pandemic.

The PRISM Trifecta: Sustainability, Accessibility, Empowerment

Sustainability, accessibility, and empowerment are at the forefront of PRISM’s values, and the brand’s actions speak even louder than its words. “Our big mission isn’t just using sustainable materials, it’s also making sure that we’re producing products that aren’t in excess and aren’t in waste,” Helen-Sage said. The co-founders adopted this mindset in 2021 when they decided to step back and reflect on their work as small business owners. Helen-Sage said that she and Rachel spoke with over 300 people to understand what was actually needed.

At PRISM, empowerment is more than its dictionary definition; it means being aware of political happenings around the world. “That includes the hate against Asian people, along with Black Lives Matter and the green liberation movement,” Helen-Sage clarified. Their outspoken personalities and emphasis on inclusivity come as part of the sisters’ background as activists, which makes them more cognizant of real people’s needs.

Helen-Sage and Rachel balance their goal to empower customers with their mission to create sustainable products through every step of the process. By using recycled nylon and vegan leather for their bags, instead of polyester and real leather, they are able to significantly lower their negative impact on the environment. The nylon is made from recycled single-use plastics, such as water bottles — in fact, Helen-Sage shared that PRISM uses two bottles to make every Active Recycle Fanny Pack.

Another goal of PRISM is to make their products affordable and they try to lower the price point for customers at every possible step. With fast fashion on the rise and trend cycles moving increasingly faster, it’s more important than ever to develop sustainable, eco-friendly shopping habits. PRISM is doing their part by bringing their products to the everyday, working consumer, who may not always have infinite disposable funds to shop slow fashion.

Helen-Sage and Rachel’s own experiences as Korean immigrants helped shape their values. After their parents moved from South Korea to the United States, they started a small business of their own. Their parents’ resilience, perseverance, and dedication continue to inspire the PRISM CEOs today. “Both Helen and I were able to witness my dad really hustling to be able to make it, to provide a roof over our heads,” Rachel shared. “My mom really encouraged me to be creative and innovative, especially in those difficult times.”

Building Their Platform

As the founders of an AAPI-owned and woman-owned small business, Helen-Sage and Rachel have faced their share of struggles in overcoming the fashion industry’s high barriers to entry. “I remember walking to a factory, and this was our first time really being able to meet with a factory we were partnered with, and they asked — when they saw me and Helen, two young AAPI women — ‘can I speak to your manager,’” Rachel admitted. 

Helen-Sage and Rachel turned this otherwise unfortunate event, which can be common for minority business owners, into motivation.  “With all those kinds of subsequent experiences, we’ve been able to grow thicker skin and be stronger when it comes to the values we stand for,” Rachel said. Through their work with PRISM, they are changing current perceptions of what CEOs should look like, both in and out of the fashion industry.

Unsurprisingly, given the Lee sisters’ personalities, PRISM’s online presence is uplifting and welcoming — even their Instagram account reflects their hope to empower marginalized voices in every step of PRISM’s creative process. Helen-Sage and Rachel also strive to work with BIPOC women in creating everything from bags to accessories.

But the real world isn’t always so positive, and the two know that firsthand. They’re not shy about sharing their opinions on political matters, both as individuals and through PRISM. “We have this conception that being political is going to be very isolating and polarizing to a lot of people,” Helen-Sage said. “But arguably, I think we understand our customers so well that [avoiding political issues] would be a huge disservice to the new generation of young women and changemakers and people sitting in classrooms today.”

What’s Brewing At PRISM?

As PRISM is still in its early stages as a company, Helen-Sage and Rachel are involved in everything. Part of their job is constantly communicating with everyone from the factories to the designers that they work with, while also collecting consumer feedback on their products.

To date, Rachel’s favorite memory in her work with PRISM is the brand’s 2021 partnership with Alltrue, a subscription service and digital marketplace previously known as Causebox that totally aligns with PRISM’s values. “For us to be such a small brand, being able to collaborate with a large, established brand was really amazing,” Rachel said. PRISM’s products sold out in 48 hours, and Helen-Sage and Rachel had to personally drive from Orange County to Downtown L.A. to hand-deliver everything. “It was so interesting seeing a little Toyota next to a bunch of big moving trucks,” Helen-Sage said, smiling.

Helen-Sage’s favorite memory, on the other hand, was rooted in PRISM’s early days, when the two traveled from California to Las Vegas for a fashion trade show. “We were really scrimping and pinching, we took it back to our activist days and bought a four-hour bus ride ticket,” she said, laughing. The sisters took turns sleeping on the bus, slept in their hotel lobby while waiting for their room, and even relied on a lawyer friend to review and sign a contract for the trade show because PRISM didn’t have an in-house lawyer. “It’s these little adventures that make me remember that, as activists, we have that very ‘grassroots,’ we can fix everything with our own bare hands, make-it-work mentality.”

Looking ahead, the women of PRISM have ambitious dreams for their company, and they look beyond just their favorite celebrities and star power when thinking about ideal collaborations. Helen-Sage said that she would love to work with icons like Cara Delevingne or major artistic companies like Supreme (streetwear meets a refined aesthetic meets sustainability), and she’d love to see what collaborations might look like in the healthcare or sustainability space. Rachel confessed to her “pipe dream” collaborations, which include Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, REVOLVE, and MadeTrade. Sticking with PRISM’s fundamental values, these dream collaborators speak to the young generations, foster conscious audiences, and emphasize sustainability and empowerment.

Their next step, however, is the launch of their vegan modular backpack — which both Helen-Sage and Rachel are looking forward to. With the product currently in its prototyping stage, they shared with EnVi that they are hoping for a winter launch date. It’s a product they are investing an incredible amount of care and attention to, and they look forward to seeing how their customers carry the bag in their daily lives. 

Eventually, they want PRISM bags to have an iconic element that people recognize immediately. “As somebody that loves going to Nordstrom and shopping and looking at clothes, bags, shoes, and stuff like that, I would say it’s a big goal for us to be there one day,” Rachel said. “We want to have some have a place where we can kind of show [PRISM to] people in person.”

Want more EnVi fashion content? Check out how Asian celebrities have become fashion top players here! 

The post Fashion Spotlight: Helen-Sage and Rachel Lee, the Twin Activists-Turned-Entrepreneurs Behind PRISM Bags appeared first on EnVi Media.

One look at stylist and costume designer Amanda Lim’s Instagram feed and it’s obvious that she’s both dedicated and talented. Her account acts as her portfolio, documenting both her work and personal adventures — scattered amidst high quality shots of extravagantly made-up celebrities, such as her regular clients Auli’i Cravalho and Tori Kelly, are pictures of Lim, her friends, and her Belgian Malinois, Ace. EnVi spoke with Lim about her career beginnings, her work on film productions, and her childhood’s continued impact on her life.

Coast to Coast

Originally from Laguna Beach, California, Lim’s background is, unexpectedly, not in fashion. Though her personal brand as a fashion creative is strong now, her goal in college, where she majored in creative nonfiction writing and Spanish language and culture, was to be a journalist. 

Everything changed when, at 19 years old, she landed her first job in the fashion industry as a fashion closet intern at NYLON magazine. Her experience in New York City exposed her to editorial styling, taught her the process for requesting and borrowing clothes, and, most importantly, ignited her passion for styling. “It was a really intuitive decision after that, and I just took every opportunity that came my way,” she told EnVi about shifting career paths. 

After graduating from the University of Virginia, she moved to Los Angeles, the world’s glam capital. Though her original motivation was to be closer to her family in California, being in Los Angeles gave her direct access to the growing styling industry, catapulting her career forward. 

Now, Lim has accrued almost a decade of experience working in fashion on the West Coast. She currently works independently as a stylist and costume designer, dressing celebrities for photoshoots and campaigns, putting together stunning looks for red carpets and other events, and even coordinating outfits on film sets.

You Better Work

Lim’s work days are packed, she said, and most of her time is dedicated to her clients. In her words, 10% of her life is photoshoots, 10% is fittings and glam sessions, “and the remaining 80% is all logistics-based.” Lim explained she’s always checking her email to ensure that everything she is working on is going smoothly, often working with contacts in New York or across Europe. 

Her favorite part of it all? “Honestly, a happy client,” Lim said, and she puts in the work to make it happen. It’s clear that every person has their own unique sense of fashion, and stylists like Lim have to adapt to every new client’s personal tastes and preferences. Lim’s key to successful outfits for her various clients lies in a good line of communication. “I really enjoy that process of getting to spend one on one time with all of them,” she gushed. “It’s my job to not only have good communication with my client, but then to use my expertise and previous knowledge of style as an understanding of how to bridge the gap between the two.”

When styling celebrity clientele for red carpet events, Lim focuses on creating innovative, individual looks that make them feel confident. Achieving that requires a combination of relying on timeless silhouettes, being aware of trends, and understanding the client. “You are dealing with a human being who is not a work playing a character, and who isn’t on a photoshoot set where there is airbrushing available,” she said about red carpet styling. “You really do have to honor your client’s comfort zone and work around that.”

Evoking confidence in her clients is something Lim takes from styling her own outfits. “I really love my body, and I would say it took most of my adolescence to get there,” she shared in a candid moment. Lim said she is very aware of what she thinks looks good and, more importantly, feels good for her. When she works with a client, she creates that same feeling of comfort for them. This is especially important in high-tension settings such as red carpet events, where her clients are in the limelight. 

First Sparks

Lim’s earliest fashion-related memory brings her back to her childhood, admiring her nainai (“grandmother” in Chinese). “I just remember thinking she was so elegant,” she recalled, describing her grandmother’s black short-sleeved crinkled Chanel top, which was tucked into menswear trousers. “She would always carry a quilted Chanel bag, and I always thought she was so cool and chic.” 

In fact, Lim’s childhood continues to influence her life as an adult. Before being a college student with an interest in journalism, Lim was an avid equestrian. “I actually don’t think I even remember a conscious time of my life where I didn’t ride horses,” she shared. She started competing when she was about six years old, with the support of her mother, and had planned on pursuing it at the Olympic level. Lim’s experience growing up with animals created a feeling of comfort around them for her, away from the stressful and fast-paced nature of her work life. Now, she enjoys spending time caring for horses, and even shares ownership of one with a friend. “Animals have brought so much stability and joy to my life,” she said.

And though she ultimately changed career paths, Lim’s goal to participate in the Olympics was somewhat fulfilled when she got the opportunity to assist on Nike campaigns for the 2016 Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro. She admitted that it was amazing, especially being able to meet the athletes and their teams, see the collaboration process with Nike, and bring creative ideas to life. As part of the experience, she even got to travel to Jamaica for a photoshoot. It was something of a full-circle moment, connecting her past dreams with her recent achievements.

On the Silver Screen

In 2016, Lim was approached with the opportunity to assist a costume designer on the set of The Neon Demon (2016). The film features Hollywood A-listers Keanu Reeves and Elle Fanning, and required a costume assistant with editorial experience — Lim had exactly what they were looking for. Since then, Lim has participated in the production of six films, with a seventh one lined up for this year marking her fourth feature as lead costume designer. “I know that indicates that I’m growing,” she said about the opportunity. 

The worlds of costume design for film productions and styling for events are entirely different, and Lim is always up to the challenge. She notes two major places where she’s had to adapt: longer project lengths and changes in the resources you have to access. Being on set changes the way she coordinates borrowing clothes and piecing together outfits. Regardless, Lim is happy and excited to be able to work on films and bring characters to life through their clothing. 

And she looks forward to exploring the world of designing for film further in the future. Being located in L.A. gave her increased access to the world of Hollywood film productions; to take advantage of the opportunity, she dedicates time every year to working on films, aiming to complete one production each year.

Looking Ahead

Reflecting on her goals, Lim shared that she has many things in mind. In terms of furthering her career, she said she wants to do more work with public figures who understand their purpose, who are motivated, and who actively work to serve their community. This is something she has articulated to friends and family for a while, and it seems that she has already started speaking her wishes into existence.

A relatively recent addition to Lim’s Instagram feed, Jay Shetty is an author, life coach, and podcast host with a clear message. Shetty works to give back to his community through projects like WE Day and Pencils of Promise, and is exactly the type of person Lim mentioned wanting to support. “When your intentions and your goals are aligned, you can really create those opportunities for yourself,” she said. “I don’t think it’s magic or anything — I just felt like I put it out there, and it came back.” Lim’s work with Shetty has combined their values, resulting in multiple fashion-forward looks constructed with sustainable pieces. Her list of dream clients includes Michelle Obama, Mary Steenburgen, and Ted Dansen, who are politically aware and demonstrate a strong sense of direction.

At the same time, Lim expressed that, eventually, she does intend on exploring something else. “I don’t think this job is meant to be done forever. I am thinking about what’s next, but I don’t know that I have an answer right now,” she said about working as a stylist. Though she doesn’t know for sure what the future holds, she is positively and excitedly working to fulfill her dreams, one happy client at a time.

Enjoyed learning about the talented stylist and costume designer Amanda Lim? Keep up with her work on Instagram.

If you liked this article, check out our Creative Spotlight on photographer Natalie Jane here!

The post Fashion Spotlight: Amanda Lim on Styling for the Stars, Childhood Dreams, and Giving Back appeared first on EnVi Media.

Forming a brand and establishing yourself as a fashion designer is already a difficult feat on its own, but once you add a global pandemic into the mix it becomes twice as hard. Brooklyn-born designer, Pia Lindsay, had to deal with this conundrum when she was forming her own brand in 2020, a year when the fashion industry was put on hold. However, Pia was able to successfully launch her brand, Pia Lindsay Studio. In the designer’s own words, Pia Lindsay Studio is based around “sensible luxury clothing with a timeless appeal, directed towards a client with a strong sense of self.”

Pia Linday sat down with EnVi for an exclusive interview to discuss her work and her career journey in further detail!

Pia Lindsay: The Origin

Pia Lindsay became interested in fashion from a young age. Her parents enrolled her in fine arts classes at the Brooklyn Museum before she ultimately attended the High School of Art and Design. From there, Lindsay attended the Otis College of Art and Design. Whilst in education, she was taken under the wing of renowned designers such as Cynthia Rowley, Trina Turk, and Bob Mackie. 

After finishing her studies, Pia then went on to have a variety of freelance jobs, such as designing swimwear and being a fashion colorist. She also got the opportunity to travel abroad to places in Asia such as Hong Kong and Shanghai. In these countries, Pia got a first-hand experience of the hustle and bustle of Market Week, an event where members of the fashion industry attend to acquire essentials such as fabrics. During Market Week, Pia witnessed the things that are commonplace there such as negotiations with vendors and making appointments to visit showrooms. In these places, Pia also got the chance to work beside pattern makers. “In my past experiences, traveling has played a very large role in the growth of my career, and as difficult as it is to be away from your friends, family, and everything familiar, it taught me that everything is mental. Controlling what you allow your mind to think is crucial to self-growth.”

Pia’s lengthy list of personal achievements is admirable. However, even though there were positive aspects to her achievements and experiences, she has also faced hurdles. Pia discussed the harsh treatment she received as a black woman in the industry, stating “I encountered a lot of unfortunate, unfair discrimination throughout a decade in the fashion industry.” Being subjected to this kind of scrutiny would affect anyone but Pia explained how experiencing the dark side of the fashion world helped build her self-confidence “…one of many things I took out of my experiences is a stronger sense of self. I have personally felt the not so glamorous side of the fashion industry and it made me become more aware of what I want in my brand—inclusivity, connection, slow fashion, and value.”

Finding her Style

When it comes to her identity as a designer, Pia Lindsay has a very clear idea of what she wants her work to convey. She told EnVi, “My style and look as a designer is really based on what I would want to wear and how I would want to feel in clothing. In these times I believe people want connection and authenticity. I believe that people know when you aren’t staying true to who you are, especially as a creative person. Staying true to what I believe has actually helped create my style for my brand.” This message of staying true to yourself and maintaining credibility can be seen all the way through her Instagram account. 

Through social media, Pia has cultivated a space for honesty as she frequently shares behind-the-scenes content and shares facts about the less glamorous side of the fashion industry. She also posts selfies posing and showcasing her designs on her own body. Pia then went on to further explain the other components of her style. “I tend to use a lot of different colors in each collection and it soon started to become part of the DNA of my brand.  One of the most frequently asked questions I get is, is there any color I won’t use and the answer is no. I love them all and they all give off a certain energy that helps me create.” When you look through Pia’s work, her love of color and fabrics shines through. The designer has a fine eye for vibrant tones, which she developed during one of her first few freelance jobs as a colorist where she learned how to identify a variety of hues.

One of the most important things for Pia is ensuring the happiness of the women who wear her designs. She states, “I want my customers to feel confident and beautiful in what they are wearing. I love talking and keeping in contact with my clients. I want to know what makes them feel the most beautiful.”

Another important aspect of Pia’s identity as a designer is sustainable fashion. As previously mentioned, her brand is built around slow fashion, a movement that is the antithesis of fast fashion and is built around respecting the environment. Pia Lindsay’s very first collection as a designer was created using deadstock fabric, showing her passion for sustainability from the very beginning.

What the Future Holds for Pia

For Pia Lindsay, the future’s looking bright. The designer has just recently had an exciting collaboration with jewelry brand Aaryah Jewelry. The brands joined forces for a special project for International Women’s Month which uplifted and showcased the stories of different women from New York. Considering Pia’s origins and her beliefs, it is no surprise she was part of this powerful project. 

One of the last questions we asked Pia was what advice would she give to any up-and-coming designers of color or anyone who wants to dip their toe into the fashion industry but is scared of taking the first step. She provided an honest but insightful answer. “I would say although the struggle to get ahead is different for black and brown designers, I think at the end of the day it shouldn’t be about talent and not the way you look. Try to push past that feeling of insecurity you have for not fitting into a certain mold and stay true to yourself and your work. Don’t look back, just keep pushing forward. The right people will find you and see your value.”

It’s quite evident that Pia Lindsay has been very busy these past few years. March 7 marked the official one year anniversary of her brand and the designer took to Instagram to share a special, authentic compilation of her designs so far. However, this is just the beginning for Pia as she continues to grow her brand and create more collections.

If you want to view Pia Lindsay’s work in detail make sure to visit her official site here!

Want more? Check out our Creative Spotlight with Sean Sheila here!

The post Fashion Spotlight: Inside The Mind of Pia Lindsay appeared first on EnVi Media.

Sustainability and inclusivity are approaches oftentimes tokenized within the fashion industry. Enter fashion designers Sean Loh and Sheila Agatha into the picture and you’ll find reasons to believe both concepts are more than just buzzwords. Bridging luxury and eastern traditional cultures, the Southeast Asian duo is reshaping sustainable fashion with their eponymous label, Sean Sheila. In the latest installment of the Creative Spotlight series, EnVi caught up with the award-winning creatives to discuss their brand’s history, plans for the future, and “breaking the rules within the boundaries of tradition.”

Inspiration And Sean Sheila’s DNA

Fashion design twosome Sean Loh (Malaysia) and Sheila Agatha (Indonesia) find inspiration where others find despair and upheaval. In an interview with Liviani Putri a few years ago, they cited “Japanese gangster women, and the idea of decomposition and decayed plants” as some of the catalysts in their work. At present time, they continue to pull creative power from the world that surrounds them. Global issues included.  “We usually draw inspiration from social issues. For example, in our past collection, ocean pollution, foundlings, poverty, and gender inequality. Personally, we believe it is inspiring to find beauty in chaos and hardships,” they exclusively tell EnVi. 

Blessed with the ability to find the perfect balance between traditional craftsmanship and innovative silhouettes, the duo attended the prestigious Raffles Design Institute in Singapore. Freshly off their alma mater, Sean and Sheila received Harper’s Bazaar Asia New Generation Award in 2016. “After winning that award we were invited to different countries including Australia, China, Singapore, Taiwan, Malaysia, and Indonesia, to present runway shows. Using that momentum we developed our brand Sean Sheila which is a Ready-To-Wear label for both women and men. It embodies eastern traditional cultures with strong, structured, and modern silhouettes of the West. The DNA of Sean Sheila lies in its application of hardware materials, along with the signature embroidery techniques.” 

Crafted by the Hands of the Disabled

If something encompasses the brand’s core, however, is the founders’ commitment to uplift their culture and give back to their community. Not only each piece of their creation is handcrafted using traditional techniques, but they are also tailored by talented disabled artisans. “We work very closely with the disabled community in Indonesia. Our entire studio team is disabled and we train people in luxury sewing and embroidery techniques,” Sean and Sheila explain. With sustainable fashion as one of its main tenets, the fashion brand has taken firm steps toward an inclusive working environment and acknowledging its workforce. In its brand profile, Sean Sheila states, “we learned sign language to help bridge the communicative gap, and we’ve had to create our own signs for the techniques that don’t exist in Indonesian Sign Language vocabulary. However, our brand would not be what it is today, without them. We are truly propelled by their talents. We believe sustainable fashion isn’t just about the materials—it’s also about giving back to the communities.”

Present and Future

With an enviable clientele that includes stars such as Yuna and Agnez Mo, Sean Sheila nowadays is aiming to go global. Asked about their plans for the future and their dream creative partnership, the burgeoning designers elaborate, “We would love more publicity in Europe and more visibility as a brand. I think a sneaker collaboration with a sportswear brand would be ideal as Sean is a sneaker collector.” Their goal doesn’t seem too far of. Last month, the dynamic duo made waves amid Paris Fashion Week, showcasing their work at the iconic Palais Brongniart. “Recently we signed with L’Adresse Paris, a showroom in Paris, as a full-time brand. Our plans are to be more visible in European countries and hopefully be included in all their cool stores. The dream would be to see people wearing our pieces in Europe.”

If their recent moves are anything to go by, Sean and Sheila are already living their dream. 

Summing Up

The Brand: Shean Sheila

The Masterminds: Sean Loh and Sheila Agatha

The Ethos: “Breaking the rules within the boundaries of tradition.”

The Career Highlights: “It would include our 3 awards: Harper’s Bazaar New Generation Award, Martel Award Rise Above Award [for Craftmanship], and Elle [New Emerging Brand of The Year] Award. Additionally our debut runway collection for Mercedes Benz Fashion Week in Sydney”

The Brand’s Must-Have Items: Embroidered tailored jackets and kimonos.

Enjoyed reading this? Check out our interview with fashion designer Yoni Yu here.

The post Fashion Spotlight: Sean Sheila, the Fashion Brand Breaking the Rules Within the Boundaries of Tradition appeared first on EnVi Media.

Offering size-inclusive choices is a debt the fashion industry still owes in 2022. New York-based Korean designer, Doyeon Yoni Yu, has taken up the challenge with an unapologetic mindset. 

Through her fashion brand, C‘EST D, Yoni is standing firm against stigma, celebrating self-love and offering options for all types of bodies. EnVi caught up with the fashion designer in an interview where we discussed body diversity, women empowerment, and breaking away from prejudice.

From South Korea to New York

Born and raised in South Korea, Doyeon Yoni Yu—Yoni, as she prefers to be called—is part of a new generation of creatives making the moves toward more inclusive fashion. The designer and content creator is outspoken about body diversity and does not shy away from addressing fatphobia on social media. But long before she founded her own brand, showed her collections at New York Fashion Week, or even moved to another country, Yoni already flaunted a strong passion for creating. “Fashion has always been there since I was young. More like, creating has been always there. When I was a teenager, I used to do a lot of collages from fashion magazines and photos. Then, when I graduated from high school, those few months before starting college, I took a sewing class. It amazed me right away! The whole process really amazed me because you literally create clothes that you can actually wear from pieces of fabrics,” she explains. 

However, when Yoni enrolled in college in South Korea, she pursued studies unrelated to fashion. “When I was in junior year, I would constantly ask myself: am I happy? Am I happy about where I am right now? Then I slowly realized that what I really wanted to study was fashion. So I left that college and then moved to New York.” The designer was 24-years-old when she installed herself in “The Big Apple” to attend the prestigious Parsons School of Design. In 2018, Yoni graduated with a thesis collection titled “FATOPIA,” which addressed the need to re-examine the “hatred and discrimination” attached to the word “fat.”

About C’EST D

Yoni kept the same intentions for the launch of C’EST D, a playful and quirky fashion label that promotes representation. “C’EST D is bringing body diversity and inclusivity into designs and unapologetically designing fashion for all bodies. [The mission is] Ultimately, being able to provide the fashion choices that we’re missing right now in the industry. The brand exists to empower you to love yourself and take a stand against all sorts of stigma in this society,” she states. “Moreover, [to] truly celebrate body equality and liberate us all from a fat-phobic world.”

Attune with this statement, offering fashion options has naturally imposed itself as the main inspiration behind C’EST D’s collections. “Inspirations can come from just a piece of fabrics, or colors that I’ve seen while I was traveling, or how random people on the street style their items, or paintings, etc. Everything is inspirational and has some usages for my collections. But more importantly, most inspirations usually come from the questions, what are we missing? What do we want to see?” Yoni further elaborates, “Right now, plus size and size-inclusive fashion styles are very limited, and choices are not as diverse. I’m a mid-size person, between sizes 12-14, and whenever I shop, I feel so many barriers. Many times, I can’t find cute clothes that I like in my size, or even beyond size M. So whenever I design, I take this experience into my consideration, what do I want to wear? What’s the style that I couldn’t wear but I really liked?” says the designer. 

Fighting Prejudices and Stereotypes

Despite positioning her brand with unique aesthetics and the commitment to break away from stereotypes, being at the helm of C’EST D has come with its own set of challenges. Fueled by misconceptions, Yoni has encountered resistance and criticism. “Owning a brand is very exciting but at the same time, it’s very exhausting. Especially since my brand offers a variety of sizes, the most common, non-sense prejudice is that our mission is promoting an unhealthy lifestyle and obesity. This is exactly the prejudice that I’ve wanted to break. Why do we have to feel shitty about ourselves all the time? Why can’t we wear cute clothes and feel good about ourselves while we’re making positive changes toward a healthier lifestyle? Most importantly, whatever journey people are in, whether it’s weight loss or just being healthier, we need clothes! If they’re cute, even better,” Yoni says. “Shaming, discriminating, dehumanizing people is definitely not the solution because instead, it can lead to way unhealthier lifestyles.” She adds, shedding light on the struggles of campaigning for greater body diversity.

This is something the fashion designer has always been pretty vocal about. A scroll down Yoni’s Instagram account suffices to know that she often combines humor and her personal experiences to address harmful cliches about beauty. ”I started this brand and content creating to empower people who have similar experiences as me. I was raised in a society that has very strict beauty and body standards, especially toward women. I lived there until I was 24, so I didn’t think that it was wrong. I always thought that it was just how it was and I thought I was not enough for this world,” Yoni recalls. “For a long time, I struggled with my body image and self-love. Now, I’m in a much happier and healthier place!” 

Empowerment and Inspiring Women

Alongside Yoni’s personal story dealing with body image and self-esteem issues, the Korean designer is also championing women empowerment through C’EST D. “We empower people through fashion,” she says. “That empowerment which makes people feel like they’re included, embraced, respected is always the biggest motivation and inspiration. When people feel good about themselves, they have power and energy to make positive choices and changes for themselves.” 

But just like her fashion brand is inspiring women, Yoni has found inspiration and motivation on other female figures. When asked about her dream collaboration, the designer names the Japanese comedian, actress, and fashion designer, Naomi Watanabe, right off the bait. “While growing up, I didn’t see much body diversity representation in the Asian community. There was almost zero public figure or creator or influencer whom I can look up to and made me feel like I’m not alone,” she preambles. “Watanabe is a fashion icon, confident under her own skin, and she established her presence in this world with her own aesthetic. Always challenging this world’s toxic standards in a very fashionable way. She always inspires me and whenever I feel down, her presence always reminds me that your own aesthetic is your beauty standard.” 

Live for Yourself

As per standard practice, before bringing this interview to a close I ask Yoni for some advice for those who dream about a career in fashion. “The one thing that I’ve learned from my personal experience is don’t lose yourself. Don’t change yourself. Be genuine. Some toxic working environments and incidents might discourage you, and you might be thinking of giving up. That’s what I went through too.” Yoni tells EnVi “However if you believe in what you create, what your message is through fashion, you shouldn’t give up. Because there is the niche that needs your creation! There are always audiences for you, and they appreciate your creations. So please don’t give up and don’t change your aesthetics!” 

To wrap up, and on a more general note, the founder of C’EST D tacks on, “By sharing my stories and recovery journey, I really wanna tell you guys that you are not alone. You are so enough. Live for yourself, not for somebody else’s standards or prejudice.”

Yoni’s Style Guide

Describe your style in 3 words 

Witty, Colorful, Quirky

​​​​Which is the piece of clothing in which you feel the most powerful?

I feel the most powerful when I’m in matching set styles! I’ve always been obsessed with matching sets. I love giving a whole vibe look, and matching sets are perfect! Also, if you purchase matching set styles, you can style each item with different items too so it’s versatile also. I’m dropping new matching set style for this spring/summer collection, I’m very excited!

What, according to you, are the best investment pieces? 

The best investment pieces are definitely good blazers/jackets and dresses. Blazers/Jackets are very versatile items, you can layer them and if it allows, you can wear them as a top. Also, they can totally change the whole look, giving different vibes to your looks. Dresses are also important investment items because dresses give us a whole look without trying to style multiple items. So if you find good dresses, your whole look is complete!

What is your go-to look?

Many people expect me to dress up every day because I’m a fashion designer, but unexpectedly, my go-to look is very casual! Hoodie with jogger pants, beanie, ring earrings, baguette bag. When I work, I usually walk a lot, or be at the photoshoot, searching for fabrics, going to sample rooms, etc, these are all active works so I prefer wearing easy, casual looks with my aesthetic which is colorful, fun patterns, layering accessories. 

Do you enjoy reading about the people behind your favorite fashion brands? Check out our interview with Jessica Wu, the PR Force behind Peter Do.

The post Fashion Spotlight: Yoni Yu, the Unapologetic Mind Behind C’EST D appeared first on EnVi Media.

For many working in the fashion industry, receiving the title of “pioneer” would be one of the highest compliments. Adam Katz Sinding, however, is quick to reject the label when I quote a headline that dubbed him “the pioneer of street-style photography.” Asked how he wishes to be introduced, Adam replies right off the bat, “I’m definitely no pioneer.” In a straightforward tone, he sets the mood for an honest interview where we discuss his career, fashion, and pigeonholing people into categories.

This Is Not A F*cking Street Style Photographer

For those of us who religiously follow Fashion Week, Adam Katz Sinding is easily at the forefront of the skyrocketing popularity of style-street photography. Documenting fashion events for years, the American photographer has captured the spirit of the industry through candid, behind-the-scenes photos. Yet, Katz Sinding — formerly known as Le 21ème — doesn’t hesitate before crediting earlier generations of lensmen. “There were a lot of people before me. I always say that I’m part of a third wave of street style [photography]. There’s Bill Cunningham and obviously Japanese photographers who had been shooting photos on the streets for years and years before. And then, there’s Scott Schuman (The Sartorialist), Tommy Ton, Phil Oh,  Facehunter, and all these people who arrived as part of a second wave. I arrived a couple of years after that,” he explains, setting the record straight. 

As far as how he wants to be introduced, Adam has previously voiced his disfavor for the ‘street-style photographer’ tag that follows him everywhere. As much as this body of work has earned him part of the notoriety he enjoys today, the photographer also owns an impressive portfolio that many could only fantasize about. From backstage at fashion shows to campaigns for big brands and publishing books, Adam Katz Sinding has continuously proven he is in no way a “one-trick pony.”

Regardless, when I mention that he’s done enough not to worry about labels, he shakes his head. “You’d be surprised. People still look out for this one thing. It’s pretty interesting.” I am surprised indeed. At the moment we sit for this interview — over a Zoom call from opposite sides of the world — Adam is fresh off Paris Fashion Week and WWD Korea has announced he teamed up with Tom Ford and K-pop star Jaemin for a special issue. here’s also a client list with over 200 fashion powerhouses — including Vogue — and a foreword by Virgil Abloh in his first publication, This Is Not A F*cking Street Style Book, to support my assumptions. But Adam is unaffected by the grand titles and headlines. “I understand why people label me as a street-style photographer, but I do a lot more than that. I would rather be introduced just as a photographer. Mostly working in fashion, but also interested in a lot of other things,” he says. 

Documenting the Zeitgeist of Fashion

As the interview unrolls, Adam clarifies that he doesn’t consider himself to be ‘a creative’ either. He prefers the word ‘documentarian.’ Probably because when he first dabbled into the world of photography he began by documenting his surroundings. “I started off just by taking photos of things I’d see on the streets, just taking pictures of everything, thinking photography was fun,” he explains. The transition into street style happened after a former girlfriend introduced Adam to Scott Schuman, Tommy Ton and Garancedoré’s work. “I lived in Seattle at that time and I thought it’d be quite a challenge to try to find these cool people on the street. And it was definitely quite a challenge, but I was up for it,” he recounts. “It just grew from there. When I moved out to New York, it became easier to find well-dressed and interesting people on the street and then, here we are today.” 

Capturing the zeitgeist of fashion, I am sure, requires a certain type of sensibility. Having witnessed the frenzy of Paris Fashion Week on a near-yearly basis, I still wonder how unfiltered moments can be captured so flawlessly. Against my better judgment, I ask the most cliched question I can think of. “During Fashion Week it all happens so fast. You don’t have much time between shows and moving from one venue to the other. How do you discern between something that’s worth taking a picture of and something that’s not?” Adam is kind enough to answer, albeit he admits it is the number one question he gets in interviews. “I don’t have an answer for it. And I know that it sounds kinda ridiculous, but I just react and I don’t think about it too much. If I think about it too much, I am not going to take a photo. I have to just do it, as cliche as that sounds. That’s the only way I really work. If I just react, then it happens more organically and more naturally.”

Globetrotting

To document fashion, however, Adam has devoted a good part of his life to traveling and following the fashion circuit. The photographer acknowledges it is his favorite and least favorite part of Fashion Week. “It’s great to be able to travel, but it’s a lot. It’s a lot of time away from home, it’s expensive and it’s stressful and alienating. But it is also an amazing experience,” he reflects. Naturally, when the COVID-19 pandemic hit in full force in 2020, Adam was forced to stay home as the fashion circuit transitioned online. Though he confesses that it did not change his vision of photography, it has changed the way he regards traveling, “The last thing in the world I want to do, now that I am home, is travel more than I have to. Somebody said hey, let’s go to Zanzibar. Fuck no! I’d rather stay in my living room,” he jokes. 

Nevertheless, as his job involves a great deal of globetrotting, Adam can name his favorite places around the planet without hesitation. “Paris definitely, for Fashion Week, Paris is, without a doubt, the best. Copenhagen, where I live, is very good for Fashion Week and also for everyday basic style around the city, people are very well dressed. Outside of fashion capitals, I think Georgia is one of my favorite places. I like Korea as well, Seoul.” 

The Charm of Seoul

Curious about the last pick, I ask Adam to elaborate. “I like the dichotomy between new and old, in Asia in general, but I’ve noticed it the most in Seoul. When you’re walking on the street, it’s a new-feeling city. The Korean War devastated that country and it is a relatively new economy, so they had to rebuild the city from scratch. Now, you have these big long street boulevards that are eight lanes wide. Obviously, not the way the city was originally laid out. And then you step off these streets and you step into the little alleys behind and they’re grim, greasy and there are ladies trying to sell you all kinds of different foods. I like this mix of capitalism and village market vibe. You have the same thing in other parts of Asia, but I think I have explored it the most in Seoul. And I’ve never been to other cities, I’ve only been to Seoul, but I really want to go to Busan and travel more around Korea.” A consummate lover of nature, Adam evidently appreciates the natural landscapes neighboring Seoul, as well. “In Seoul, you feel very close to nature, you have these insanely powerful mountains surrounding the city and nature is right there. Even if you’re trapped in the city, you feel you can escape if you need to. It’s a refreshing reminder that the city ends here and you can leave if you want to.” 

Past geography, the renowned photographer has also noticed unique dressing habits in Seoul. “There’s a lot of money in Seoul, so people have all the right pieces and you see it all over the place. But one of the strangest things I’ve seen going to Fashion Week in Korea is couples that dress the same. So the girlfriend and boyfriend would wear the same thing, at the same time. I find it very interesting,” he says, referring to matching culture. In regards to other Fashion Week trends, Adam adds, “And then, there’s this idea of dressing up the children like adults. Which is very cute, but also a bit troubling. I don’t think I agree with it, but it is adorable.”

The State of Fashion and Dream Collaborations

Still on the topic of fashion, Adam and I dive into a conversation about the state of the industry. Despite growing disenchanted with certain aspects —like consumerism and a “hype” that makes him feel fashion has turned into merch— Adam still believes there are creatives to look forward to. “Thom Browne is one of the shows that I go to every season and my faith in fashion is reinstalled. It is just so incredible, aesthetic and so over-the-top.” Adam continues to list, “I think Kiko Kostadinov, who has his own brand and is contributing with ASICS also has a very unique vision. I really like Schiaparelli as well. Then there’s this Icelandic designer named Arnar Mār Jōnsson. My buddy Stephen (Mann) has his own brand too. It is called AFFIX, it’s more utilitarian, but it is great.” 

Unsurprisingly, when I ask Adam about his dream collaboration, he skips all the big names and replies with sincerity. “My real aspirations would be more towards the sportswear end of the industry, working with brands like Nike or cycling brands or smaller brands that are into sports. One of the things that I struggle with in fashion is that it’s not the healthiest industry. It doesn’t really breathe a healthy mental lifestyle, it definitely doesn’t breathe a physical lifestyle, except for looking good. Whereas with activewear and sportswear, it’s inspiring people to use their bodies, to push themselves, to get outside, maybe be happier.” With this mindset, Adam worked with ASICS not long ago. He describes the experience as inspiring “I like their ethos even more than any of the other fashion brands with the mindfulness aspect. I think that is very important. I really like what they do. There was a lot of value to it, because athletes are inspiring to everybody.

Life in Lockdown

The previous question inevitably leads us to discuss Adam’s hobbies — cycling and running — and how he’s incorporated them into his projects. The photographer first explains, “I’ve been cycling for a long time. My first job ever was at a mountain bike shop when I was fifteen. I got really into cycling in my mid-20s, stopped when I moved to New York because cycling in New York is terrifying. And then, I picked it up again when I moved to Copenhagen. Though cycling takes up more of my time, I enjoy both cycling and running.”

With two books published, “This Is Not A F*cking Street Style Book“ and “Live From F*cking Everywhere” — which Adam keeps on his desk  — I ask if he has any plans to combine his favorite sports and photography any time soon. “I did, actually. I did a little zine.” The answer prompts him to stand up from the chair and move to another room. When Adam is back a few seconds later, he’s proudly grabbing his most recent publication. “I did it last summer when I was stuck in Denmark. I worked with a store in Copenhagen called Norse Store and a creative agency in Berlin called BEINGHUNTED.” Named “Life in Lockdown,” the minizine is a compilation of photos taken between March and July of 2020 when Adam traveled around Denmark by bicycle. The foreword calls it a “reminder of personal situations” and it served to raise funds to support education on the matter of race and equality. Adam doesn’t brag about the social purpose of it. Instead, he promises to keep a copy for the next time we happen to be both in Paris. 

On Pigeonholing People Into Categories and Role Models

He emphasizes, “Same with celebrities and people like that. We put people on this pedestal of being an actor, an athlete, or whatever but they do the same things everybody else does, they go buy groceries, they sweep their floors, they water their plants. I think it is important to remember the human aspect of everybody and remember that every one of these people that we put into a different category still does the exact same things that every one of us does. No matter what level, even celebrities look up to people as well. There’s always somebody who is going to look up to somebody else. I think that’s a sobering thing. With photography, I have my peers that I look up to, but there are other photographers that I have inspired as well. It is a very nice thing to remember that we’re all eating, drinking, and breathing and that pretty much ties us all together.”

For The Record

The Name: Adam Katz Sinding (not Adam Katz!)

The City: Hailing from the U.S, Adam is currently based in Copenhagen.

The Favorite Designers/Brands: Thom Browne, Kiko Kostadinov, ASICS, Schiaparelli, Arnar Mār Jōnsson, AFFIX. “I feel they don’t really follow the hype wheel in the same way. They’re into creating unique objects and products.”

The Dream Collaboration: Sportswear brands. “But, of course working with somebody like Nicolas Ghesquière at Louis Vuitton would be a huge thing, or Phoebe Philo, Hedi Slimane.” 

The Fashion Takeaway: “Fashion is not supposed to be about hype, in my opinion, it should be something you could archive.”

The Books: “This Is Not A F*cking Street Style Book“ and “Live From F*cking Everywhere.”

The Podcast: “So what else do you want to talk about?“

The Advice: “Take as many photos as possible, make as many mistakes as possible, don’t quit when you make those mistakes. Figure out why you make those mistakes and how not to make those mistakes again.”

Craving more interviews with fashion creatives? Check out our interview with Mexican fashion designer Jonathan Morales.

The post Fashion Spotlight: Setting The Record Straight With Adam Katz Sinding appeared first on EnVi Media.

Throughout the years, popular culture has often served as inspiration for people around the world. From fans to artists across fields, it has marked generations and continues to influence their vision of the world. Only a few selected ones, however, can brag about designing clothes that are shaping pop culture. Mexican fashion designer and self-described melomaniac, Jonathan Morales, belongs to that group.

Sported by the legendary Gwen Stefani, and the Thai superstar Lisa Manoban, Jonathan’s disruptive brand, NO NAME, is making the rounds among international celebrity circles. EnVi caught up with the Mexican creative in an interview originally conducted in Spanish, to talk about his journey in the fashion industry, why pop culture inspires him, and his plans for the future. 

First Steps in Fashion and Belanova 

I first came across the name Jonathan Morales in 2013. It was a cold winter when I indulged in the fascination of picking sides in a reality show for the first time in my life. Probably looking too much into the tidbits of personality shown on screen, I quickly concluded that Jonathan was irreverent and unafraid to be himself. In no time, he became my favorite contestant in the third installment of Project Runway Latin America. The designer, however, had been making waves in fashion long before joining the show. “I started in the world of fashion more than 13 years ago. I studied fashion design in Guadalajara, Jalisco, at Centro Diseño de Modas. One of my most recognized projects, or rather, the first artist I worked with and designed a wardrobe for was Denisse from Belanova,” he explains as he introduces himself. 

For those unfamiliar with the name, Belanova is a Latin Grammy award-winning band. For nearly two decades (roughly from 2000 to 2018), the group found important success in Hispanic countries. Fronted by songstress Denisse Guerrero, Belanova’s electro-pop tracks and unique style conquered the hearts of people in Latin America and Spain. Jonathan played a pivotal role in the furor the band caused during their prime. “I was who came up with Denisse’s image—so disruptive at that time and in pop music—her concepts, videos and her day-to-day outfits. That was my initiation in fashion, and working with artists.”  

The Individual Over The Label

While it served him as a first introduction to the public, Jonathan admits that working with Belanova consumed a good part of his life. After years of collaborating with the music group, with doubts about his future and coming off a depressive streak, the designer made changes toward something major. “I wanted to disconnect myself from that, for a while. I started studying filmmaking, I moved to Mexico City and in the process, I said, ‘I need to create a business.’ That’s how NO NAME was born.” NO NAME is the brand Jonathan founded in 2015. The Mexican creative picked the name convinced that “individuals matter more than labels.” He further explains, “I believe that people make the brand. Each person, with their own style, makes clothes look amazing on them.”

It is no surprise then, that Jonathan has poured his own personal experiences and preferences to build a creative universe that gravitates toward pop culture. “My DNA, my creative essence comes a lot from Mexican pop, kitsch, and Japanese reminiscence. Japanese culture is one of my favorites: anime, contemporary Japanese artists, and Japanese street style. All of these elements blend to make my DNA, NO NAME’s DNA.”

Conquering The Hearts Of Pop Icons

The absolute conviction of who he is and what his brand stands for has turned Jonathan into a celebrity favorite. What started with the chameleonic Lady Gaga, reached a peak when BLACKPINK’s rapper, Lisa, showcased NO NAME’s designs to the world. Not once or twice, but thrice. In between, Jonathan’s fashion icon, Gwen Stefani, also wore his brand. 

The designer considers each of those moments as a milestone in his career. “Truth to be told, I have different memorable moments. The first international, giant, celebrity I dressed was Lady Gaga and that was a sea change. At that moment I thought, “Wow, I can go wherever I want.” It was a very special moment because I started to believe in myself. I had always been very hard on myself, but after Lady Gaga, I believed in myself a bit more. Gwen Stefani was my idol from youth, she was my role model when it came to style. It was so memorable to dress her. At what point does a child from Guadalajara go from listening to her music, idolizing her, watching her videos to dressing her? I didn’t even dare to dream about it because of how much I admired her and suddenly, boom! She was wearing my clothes. That moment was crucial in my career and my life. And well, the first time I saw Lisa [wearing NO NAME] in that Guinness Record-breaking video, it was the most special.”

The Successful BLINK

At this point, if anything is crystal clear about Jonathan Morales is his fascination for music and pop culture. A lover of anime, kitsch and icons like No Doubt and Madonna, he doesn’t shy away from revealing his current “obsession” with BLACKPINK. “When it comes to artists, I’ve always had a muse. Right before dressing BLACKPINK, a few months earlier, I was obsessed with BLACKPINK. They are spectacular, it seems to me that they are everything that my work represents. I am very obsessed with them. I love them. Aesthetically, the girls and their music inspire me a whole lot. Interestingly, I have already dressed Lisa three times and it has been a dream come true. Right now I have BLACKPINK very high in my top inspirations. The new collections that I am working on, I visualize [BLACKPINK] wearing them.”

If Jonathan’s fan status was not already evident from the way his voice changed when he first mentioned the quartet, it is when he starts listing the records Lisa broke with her solo debut. It is part of what made dressing her such an important achievement. “It became a trend worldwide,” he says about the Thai singer’s music video for “LALISA,” where the superstar wore an ensemble by NO NAME. “It broke records in many ways. 700 million views (at the moment of the interview) from people who have seen my designs. It’s very special because that look is very significant, it defines my work, the mix of cultures, the mix, and match of global inspirations, and that blend of pop culture, music, and my experiences. The DNA of my brand is embodied in that jacket and that skirt.” 

Likewise, NO NAME was also part of Lisa’s wardrobe on the music video for the star-studded “SG.” Jonathan regards this experience as symbolic. “We are part of this era that must be very significant to Lisa too. It’s her first solo, her first international collaboration [with Ozuna, Megan Thee Stallion, and DJ Snake]. She broke unexpected records: Record Guinness, new plaques for her YouTube channel because she surpassed even Taylor Swift’s views. Imagine her power. I am very happy about being part of this era.”  

Of PR Efforts And Succeeding Internationally 

To put it in some sort of way, Jonathan is what people on the internet would call “a successful fan.” But how did he earn these massive bragging rights? In addition to his hard work, there are the joint efforts between the designer and the PR expert, Azahel Marmolejo, who is partly to credit for NO NAME’s international positioning. “At the beginning of the year, I met with my PR to visualize the brand in 2021. I told him that my dream was to dress BLACKPINK and I wanted to do it this year. We landed a contact, sent my work and they accepted it. Sometimes brands believe everything is on the PR, so if a star does not wear a look, it’s the PR’s fault. The PR, obviously, is a fundamental part, it’s who sells the brand, who coordinates the shipments, but the other half depends on the artist and if they like the brand. Azahel and I have worked on that well. He believes in my work, he has believed in it for a long time.” 

The positive outcome of this partnership is palpable. NO NAME has been displayed internationally by some of the most popular international stars. KAROL G, J Balvin and Ava Max, just to name a few, are part of the brand’s loyal clientele. “It is nice to have this team-up because we have dressed big celebrities. I think I am the Mexican designer who has dressed the most international celebrities, right now,” says Jonathan proudly.

The Future And Embracing Growth 

With a business that’s rising beyond borders, the designer has big plans for the future, albeit he admits he’s not fond of rushing into things. In the short run, however, Jonathan expects to bid farewell to 2021 with a great collection. “It is inspired by the artists I dress. Anyone can buy it, but it‘s a collection that I am thinking of sending to artists first,” he anticipates. 

The exponential growth of his brand has also propelled Jonathan to expand his atelier. Needless to say, thriving professionally comes with a new set of responsibilities that he is ready to embrace fearlessly. “I am expanding my atelier for the first time. It makes me slightly nervous because there are more salaries to pay and more responsibilities, but I think it’s the right moment. I keep growing, I have a lot of ambition, a lot of personal dreams that I am achieving through NO NAME. I want to keep improving, keep growing. This is a small business where I have learned to do a bit of everything.”

Cheer Up!

Before wrapping up our interview I ask Jonathan for a piece of advice for all those who wish to work in the fashion industry. Extremely grounded and hardworking as he is, the designer replies without hesitation, “The main thing to do is focusing on our work, focusing on improving every day. It is essential to design from within, not trying to be someone else, not trying to be the brand next door. It is important to focus on our job, pour all our love, all our efforts into it.”  He adds, “Always be one step ahead. Find the way, the formula to always be one step ahead. Ask yourself what’s next? Do your best, leave your patterns, your comfort zone. That’s the key to do great things in life.”

Aware that in the face of failure, many tend to feel discouraged, Jonathan goes on, “We all make mistakes, we all screw up, we must remove the stigma and fear of it. We are always going to make mistakes, but there’s room to improve. There are many opportunities and as long as you do things with love and with your heart, you can always get over the obstacles. So cheer up!”

Summing Up

The Designer: Jonathan Morales

The City: Originally from Jalisco, Guadalajara, currently based in Mexico City.

The Style Icons: ​​Gwen Stefani, Bjork, Madonna. “They were always very involved in fashion, in shows, in whatever was coming out. I started designing influenced by that spirit.”

The Favorite Designers/Brands: DELPOZO, Margiela. “Creatively they are complete opposites to me, but they inspire me to belong to the fashion industry.”

The Dream Collaboration: BLACKPINK, FKA Twigs, Madonna. “I would love to collaborate with plastic and graphic artists too.”

The Current Muses: BLACKPINK

The Fashion Takeaway: “My brand is proudly Mexican, but I don’t believe Mexican fashion should be about cliches. I design from a global perspective.”

The Motto: “Act local, think global.”

The Advice: “To be creative, you have to read, you have to investigate, you have to move!”

Do you enjoy reading about the people behind your favorite fashion brands? Check out our interview with Jessica Wu, the PR Force behind Peter Do. 

Thumbnail courtesy of NO NAME.

The post Fashion Spotlight: Jonathan Morales On Designing Pop Culture appeared first on EnVi Media.