Designer Interviews

CUSP Designer Interview: Jessie Randall (Loeffler Randall)

Loeffler Randall designer Jessie Randall

We don’t think that Jessie Randall, the president of fashion line Loeffler Randall (which won the 2007 CFDA Swarovski award), could be any cuter even if she tried. In 2001, after graduating from UVA, she served as an assistant at the uber-cool company Katayone Adeli. Then it was off to understand mass culture as an accessories designer at The Gap. She and her chief marketing officer, Brian Murphy, live adorably in Carroll Gardens, Brooklyn with their twin sons, Casper and Liam—so precious!. They even have a Chihuahua named—get this—Romeo Indiana Ortiz Murphy!

Loeffler Randall is currently available at all CUSP boutiques.

Name: Jessie Randall
Hometown: Born in Worcester, MA and live in Brooklyn, NY
Sign: I am such a Capricorn

How often do you read your horoscope? The first of every month on astrologyzone.com - the horoscopes are free and so incredibly detailed. I am very into astrology and was so excited when my twin boys were born Gemini - the twins sign.

Current favorite song: ‘Wildcat’ by Ratatat

Childhood celebrity crush: Jason Bateman

The movie you would watch whenever it is on TV? Fletch

If I could be anywhere, I’d be:
at home with my twins

Is there a book that has profoundly changed your life?
The Diamond
Cutter: The Buddha on Managing Your Business and Your Life by Geshe Michael Roche

What book are you reading now? It’s very glamorous - Healthy Sleep Habits, Happy Child

What’s on your iPod? Old school Dolly Parton

How many air miles do you log a year? None this year because of the twins– and I have loved it!!

What is your favorite piece from your current collection? I love the tie jumper. It started out as a dress I designed for myself to wear to the CFDA awards and we re-fabricated it in a day fabric for Fall.

How would you best describe your client? She is young with a downtown aesthetic but she is also incredibly chic.

What are your favorite hometown stores? I am obsessed with this new children’s store in Williamsburg, Brooklyn called Sweet William. It has the most elegant, simple and beautiful clothes for my boys.

Who are your personal style icons? I am most inspired by girls I see on the street. I love women who put themselves together in a simple, elegant way but still manage to make a big impact.

What style secrets do you have right now? I love wearing our Matilde flat boots. They instantly make an outfit out of anything I’m wearing even if it’s just leggings on a Saturday morning.

Right now, every girl needs a _____? Short-sleeved jacket or coat

What do you buy at the newsstand? Italian Vogue

Your ideal day/night? My ideal day would be spent hanging out with my twins Casper and Liam, my husband Brian and our dog, Romeo. There would be some quiet alone time to work on a project on my sewing machine and then dinner and drinks with friends.

 

CUSP Designer Interview: Kenneth Jay Lane

CUSP Designer Interview: Kenneth Jay Lane

There aren’t many—in fact, are there any?—designers who can say that they’ve dressed Jackie Onassis, Diana Vreeland and Audrey Hepburn AND their contemporary counterparts, Sarah Jessica Parker, Madonna, the Olsen twins, Mischa Barton and Jessica Simpson. But that’s exactly what the 77 year-old costume jewelry designer Kenneth Jay Lane has done. Known for his faux pearl and coral pieces, Lane originally started as a shoe designer for Delman and Christian Dior and made jewelry in his spare time which became a full time career. He also was a guest at Truman Capote’s Black and White Ball. How fabulous!

Name: Kenneth Jay lane
Hometown: Detroit and New York
Sign: Unicorn

How often do you read your horoscope? Never

Current favorite song: World Weary by Noel Coward

Childhood celebrity crush: Mae West

The movie you would watch whenever it is on TV? Les Enfants Du Paradis

If I could be anywhere, I’d be: Right here

Is there a book that has profoundly changed your life? Lafcadio’s Adventures by Andre Gide

What book are you reading now?
The Way We are Now by Trollope

What’s on your iPod or CD player? Mabel Mercer’s in my CD player.

How many air miles do you log a year? 1,000,000

What is your favorite piece from your current collection? My newest octopus ring

How would you best describe your client?
Great taste!

Who are your personal style icons? Babe Paley, Gloria Guiness, Mae West, Diana Vreeland, Nan Kempner

What style secrets do you have right now?
I have no secrets

Right now, every girl needs a _____?
Dozen Bangles

What do you buy at the newsstand?
Nothing

Your ideal day/night? Stay Home

 

CUSP Designer Interview: Phillip Lim (3.1 Phillip Lim)

CUSP Designer Interview: Phillip Lim (3.1 Phillip Lim)

A former designer for Katayone Adeli and Development, last year Phillip Lim, 31, started his own line 3.1 Phillip Lim. Sold at CUSP, Lim’s classic, chic and simple clothing has been a favorite of glamour girls in the know for ages.

Name: Phillip Lim
Hometown: Orange County, California
My Sign: Virgo

Last Book I Read: Marley and Me by John Grogan

Current Celebrity Crush: Kate Bosworth. There’s something so beautiful and angelic about her. Perhaps it’s the dimples?

The Movie I’ll Watch Whenever It’s On Television: Memoirs of a Geisha

If I Could Be Anywhere, I’d be: In Koh Samui, Thailand

When did you know that you wanted to be a designer?Actually, it discovered me when I was about 23.

How do you think the internet affects fashion?
It opens up fashion to the far reaches. It allows people from Toronto to Thailand the chance to see, experience and exchange the ideas, from moment to moment. It lets them them decide immediately what is right and what is wrong for them. In turn we as designers become sensitive to this and it influences how we evolve.

 

CUSP Designer Interview: Nanette Lepore

CUSP Designer Interview: Nanette Lepore

Name: Nanette Lepore
Hometown: Youngstown, OH
Sign: Pisces

How often do you read your horoscope? Daily on tarot.com and monthly on Susan Miller’s Astrology Zone. She is a fellow Pisces.

Current favorite song: “Return to Me” by Bob Dylan

Childhood celebrity crush: Marcello Mastroianni

The movie you would watch whenever it is on TV? Any of The Thin Man series.

If I could be anywhere, I’d be: Swimming through the emerald grotto

Is there a book that has profoundly changed your life?
A Fine Balance by Rohnton Mistry

What book are you reading now?
The Savage Detectives by Roberto Bolano. Itis about these wild and crazy poets in Mexico City in the 70s!

What’s on your iPod? Amy Winehouse

How many air miles do you log a year? Hundreds of thousands

What is your favorite piece from your current collection? High waisted ruched pencil skirt

How would you best describe your client? Glamorous, fun and sexy

Who are your personal style icons? My mother, 1960. She was glamorous and gorgeous and so much fun!

What style secrets do you have right now? Master the art of walking in high heels. Wear high heels whenever
possible.

Right now, every girl needs a _____? Fabulous trench

What do you buy at the newsstand? V and British Vogue

Your ideal day/night?

Night: Beautiful dress, smashing pumps, a cocktail, our favorite Spanish bar with Gypsy music, late supper looking up at the sky, trying to find the shooting stars

Day: In the summer, I start the day with an ocean swim, stop at the farmer’s market, cook at home with friends, fresh cut flowers, eat outdoors overlooking the bay with a good bottle of white wine and then head back to the sea for a late afternoon dip.

 

CUSP Designer Interview: Rachel Koo (Tea and Honey)

CUSP Designer Interview: Rachel Koo (Tea and Honey)

Name: Rachel Koo
Hometown: Cerritos, CA
Sign: Virgo

How often do you read your horoscope? Once a month

Current favorite song: 1, 2, 3, 4 tell me that you love me more… by
Feist

Childhood celebrity crush: Corey Haim

The movie you would watch whenever it is on TV? The Warriors…
“can you dig it”

If I could be anywhere, I’d be: Samara, Costa Rica

Is there a book that has profoundly changed your life? None

What book are you reading now? Snow

What’s on your iPod?From Mos Def to Pink Martini,
Rage Against the Machine to NKOTB.

How many air miles do you log a year? I really should start logging
it

What is your favorite piece from your current collection? Washed
down silk ruffle front cami

How would you best describe your client? World traveler, young
mothers, professionals.. “I’m every woman” kind of woman…..

Who are your personal style icons? Grace Kelly

What style secrets do you have right now? Don’t be afraid to wash
down your silk for a more casual look

Right now, every girl needs a _____? A group of great friends

What do you buy at the newsstand? I love cooking magazines

Your ideal day/night? Wake up really late have a mimosa
or 2… lay on the beach ’til the sun goes down. Then have a barbecue
with my friends with plenty of beer and wine….

Tea and Honey is now available at CUSP boutiques

 

CUSP Designer Interview: Jennifer Lin Wojinski (William Rast)

CUSP Designer Interview: Jennifer Lin Wojinski (William Rast)

Name: Jennifer Lin Wojinski
Hometown: Fortuna, CA… That’s ‘fortune’ not ‘for tuna’
Sign: Aquarius

How often do you read your horoscope? Monthly

Current favorite song: “Death Letter” by Son House or the White Stripes version of it… I can’t choose because they are both so original

Childhood celebrity crush: Wow… I didn’t watch TV as a child, so it would have to be Scooby Doo, since the first thing I remember watching was cartoons. Yes, I had a crush on a dog.

The movie you would watch whenever it is on TV? Lord of the Rings

If I could be anywhere, I’d be: In New Orleans, enjoying the people, the smells, the music and the food!

Is there a book that has profoundly changed your life? Shantaram by Gregory David Roberts… can’t explain it, but there is beauty everywhere, in everything.

What book are you reading now? Liber Null & Psychonaut by Peter J Carroll

What’s on your iPod? Black Keys, Blind Willie Johnson, the Black Crowes, Stone Temple Pilots, Son House, …etc

How many air miles do you log a year? Really???? I don’t count or keep tracks and it all depends on the year.

What is your favorite piece from your current collection? The ‘jerri’ ultraskinny jean in the ‘minion’ wash

How would you best describe your client? She’s a sexy sassy all american girl with style and a bit of an edge… Denim is the core of her wardrobe, but she wants William Rast because it’s unique in its fits, washes and styles.

Who are your personal style icons? Honestly I don’t have one…i wear what I feel like wearing and style it to suit my look and my figure.

What style secrets do you have right now? Engineer boots, black overdye William Rast jeans and vintage tops, scarves and head wraps… but I don’t think they are secrets, I just do whatever I feel like
doing at that moment.

Right now, every girl needs a_____? magic pony

What do you buy at the newsstand? Colors magazine, Juxtapoz, fashion mags…

Your ideal day/night? coffee, bikram yoga, lunch with a friend, watching the sunset and smelling the jasmine, making dinner with my boyfriend, all in that order.

William Rast in CUSP boutiques this week.

 

CUSP Designer Interview: Gina Nigrelli (Jules Smith)

CUSP Designer Interview: Gina Nigrelli - CC Skye

Name: Gina Nigrelli
Hometown: St Thomas, USVI
Sign: Pisces

How often do you read your horoscope? Every week

Current favorite song: “I Can’t Go For That” – Hall and Oates. It makes we want to dance and laugh…the 2 things I enjoy most.

Childhood celebrity crush: Dennis Quaid. I still crush on him whenever I see him on TV or in a magazine.

The movie you would watch whenever it is on TV? Dirty Dancing.

If I could be anywhere, I’d be: In Mustique, sipping a glass of champagne.

Is there a book that has profoundly changed your life? no

What book are you reading now? The 4 Hour Work Week.

What’s on your iPod? Lots of 80’s music, hip hop, pop, reggae, lounge, house. I usually listen to my iPod when I exercise, so mostly high-energy music.

How many air miles do you log a year? Last year I just missed 50,000.

What is your favorite piece from your current collection? Skin City Zebra cuff.I wear it every day.

How would you best describe your client? My girls love adventure, they love to travel, they love deciding who they are going to be that day and dressing and accessorizing accordingly. Oh yeah, they love to layer.

What are your favorite hometown stores? Unfortunately, there aren’t many stores on St. Thomas, you have to leave island to shop.

Who are your personal style icons? Mary Kate Olsen is number one on my list.

What style secrets do you have right now? They wouldn’t be secrets if I told you.

Right now, every girl needs a _____? Massage.

What do you buy at the newsstand? Vanity Fair. I look forward to reading Dominic Dunne’s column and I usually read it more than once.

Your ideal day/night? Waking up in a country or city I’ve never been before.

Shop Jules Smith at all CUSP boutiques.

 

CUSP Designer Interview: Ronny Kobo (Torn)

CUSP Designer Interview: Ronny Kobo (Torn)

We recently were fortunate enough to catch up with Torn’s Ronny Kobo, one of our favorites here at CUSP. Learn a bit about her below, and see her African-inspired Spring/Summer collection at any of our boutiques.

Name: Ronny Kobo
Hometown: NYC and Hong Kong
Sign: Aries! Fire sign completely!

How often do you read your horoscope? Once a month

Current favorite song? “No One” by Alicia Keys (the reggae remix version)

Childhood celebrity crush: Michael Jackson in thriller!!!!!

The movie you would watch whenever it was on tv? Just about any 80’s hit. I think I must have watched Coming to America about three times in March!

If I could be anywhere I’d be: Definitely in Africa. Last season I would have said on safari, but right now we are working on our summer collection which is inspired by the Massai and southern African tribes. So I would definitely be in a tourist market place somewhere outside Kenya picking up clothing, jewelry and trinkets to bring back home to our studio!

Is there a book that had profoundly changed your life? Yes, The Fountainhead by Ayn Rand

What book are you reading now? The Unbearable Lightness of Being by Milan Kundera

What’s on your iPod? Just returning from a beach holiday, so reggae and stevie wonder!!

How many air miles do you log a year? 150,000

What is your favorite piece in your current collection? I have to say the lion face tank. I can dress it up with a highwaisted pencil skirt tucked in. You’re relaxed with a pair of jeans or under a blazer. I love accessories and always seem to wear bangles and wooden hoops with this print to accentuate the look.

Who would you best describe as your client? A woman who understands fashion and culture. Someone who is bored of basics and needing an alternative more chic way to dressing casual.

What do you buy at the newstand? National Geographic, British Vogue, British Elle, Bazaar, and Oprah! (and shamefully US Weekly!!!!!)

Who are your personal style icons? Jane Birkin, Viviene Westwood, Cleopatra and my mother

What style secrets do you have now? How to transform your casual day look into a cool chic relaxed evening.

Spring look? Torn animal safari tanks with classic boyfriend jean or harem pants for day.. And night the same thing with shrunken jacket or blazer and a pair of heels and some vintage Indian jewelry of African inspired wood jewelry by Kenneth Jay Lane.

Right now every girl needs a….. Zebra tank or t-shirt in her wardrobe for the ultimate tank/t-shirt and then a gay best friend!

What is your ideal day/night? Inspirational shopping in a foreign market or bazaar and an evening on a beach at night sitting on a chaise covered in blankets after an amazing BBQ!

Torn is available at CUSP boutiques

 

CUSP Designer Interview: Pierre Colorado (Blake Standard)

Pierre Colorado of Blake Standard

It’s hard to fade into the background with a name like Pierre Colorado. And that goes for his talents in fashion design too. Colorado, who studied at F.I.T. in New York, has been working in the industry for 12 years at some of the top fashion brands. In 2006 he launched Blake Standard, an effortlessly chic collection of contemporary sportswear for women. Let’s all say hello to Pierre Colorado.

Blake Standard is available at all CUSP Boutiques.

Name: Pierre Colorado

Hometown: New York City

Sign: Libra

How often do you read your horoscope? Only when I find it in French Vogue.

Current favorite song:
Rihanna’s Shut up and Drive. I love to listen to it when I’m driving.

Childhood celebrity crush:
Cheryl Tiegs. I even had a poster of her on my wall.

The movie you watch whenever it is on TV?
Pride and Prejudice- It’s visually stunning.

If I could be anywhere, I’d be:
In Paris…anytime.

Is there a book that has profoundly changed your life?
Love In the Time of Cholera by Gabriel Garcia Marquez.

What are you reading now? The Dead Sea Scrolls. I love history.

What’s on your iPOD? Too much! I love anything from Bossa Nova to R & B to dance.

How many air miles do you log a year?
This past year I only had about 80,000. That’s a 7 year low.

What is your favorite piece from your current collection? I love this very simple and chic scoop neck with small ruffles all around the opening and on the collar stand. It make you instantly elegant, and you’ll feel it.

How would you describe your client? She is naturally chic, loves fashion but needs it to work with her lifestyle needs.

 
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