Spotlight on Barlow - Continued

ABOUT BARLOW (excerpted from their own description)
The conception of Barlow stems from the friendship between designer Molly Girard Coonan, and muse Alice Barlow. Like their friendship, BARLOW is the dichotomy of “tomboy and vixen”, “sex and geometry”, “his and hers”, “avant-grade and traditional”. They are inspired by the unexpected, and find humor in everything, from marshmallow peeps to Bayside High.



My Q+A with Molly

What was the inspiration for this collection?
Chino biker, power 90's and future parka

How would you define your collection?
Cool sportswear. Some cozy, some sporty, some sexy.

You used to design for Cynthia Vincent and also worked with menswear designer Andrew Buckler. –What’s the biggest change now that you design your own collection?
I don't get edited.

How did designing menswear inform your current collection?
New shapes, details, construction

Your press bio says that Alice Barlow is your muse. What does that mean exactly?
She amuses me. hahaha she is able to be cool and unpretentious all at the same time.

What are you currently reading/watching/listening to?
**the lovely bones
**you tube music videos, Current TV’s Vanguard, Food Inc.
**Kleerup, the new Jay-Z and Rihanna albums, The XX, Miike Snow, Dead Mans Bones, Mayer Hawthorne

You’re in LA but were in NYC before. How do you see the difference in fashion/style on the 2 coasts?
**NYC- Comfort reins above sexy. You can’t as easily prance around in 4 inch stilettos and valet to your favorite club. Even fancy people have to do a lot of walking.

** LA- I'm still trying to figure it out. Lots of different styles- similarly to all the different architecture you see jammed into one neighborhood- confusing and interesting

Where do you like to go out in LA? In NYC?
LA- Music shows. People get into it and spaces are bigger.
NY- Beatrice. people danced on tables and didn’t care how dirty the floor was. Chinatown. Brooklyn always.

What’s the best advice you’ve ever given or received?
Own it.

WHERE TO GET IT

Barlow will arrive in stores worldwide this January including Fred Segal, Harvey Nichols Hong Kong, shopbop.com and more.
All photos from the Barlow Spring 2010 LOOKBOOK

Chris Habana - Designer to Know

Jewelry designer Chris Habana had a party for his new collection, Legends of Pop at a.ok in the basement of Oak on Bond Street last Thursday night. Here are some photos from the party and a brief Q+A with the man of the hour.

Katya: How did you get into doing this collaboration with A.OK?

Chris: Well I was represented by OAK for a while and when they started there A.ok venture we started talking about working together for a.ok too. And I always thought that if I started a secondary line it would be a little on the cheaper side instead of going high end so it was a good fit. My pieces as it is are not so expensive but I wanted the challenge of going even a little more affordable.

Katya: So what’s the price range for this collection?

Chris: Between $36 and $54.

Katya: That is really reasonable. I always love it when designers that I think have really fresh sensibilities are sensitive to their markets – which with this line I’m thinking younger kids, fresh out of school -maybe who are just starting out. They want to have something really fun and unique to wear that isn’t cheap but also want to pay their bills.

Chris: I really love the idea of something more accessible. And I thought what’s more accessible to everyone than the whole pop/pop music thing? And I thought of all the artists I loved from the 80s and 90s and really wanted to pay tribute to them with jewelry. So I am coming up with a Madonna cone bra, Boy George fedora/pork pie hat, a Michael Jackson glove, a Janet Jackson one earring, and a New Kids on the Block hang tough –one earring as well.

Katya: The 80s is really huge in fashion right now. Do you think there’s a reason for this? Is it fashion recycles every 20 years or…?

Chris: I don’t really think about what’s in or out in fashion – especially with what I do. I’ve just learned to do things more inherent to what I’d do or what I’m into at the moment. And the 80s and 90s are where it’s at.

Katya: I know this just came out so this might be a crazy question but is there anything up and coming in addition to this collection?

Chris: I’m coming up with my spring/summer 2010 collection for women. There’s another collaboration coming up but it’s top secret at the moment!

Katya: No worries, we’ll let you keep it a secret! Well I personally love this collection: it’s fun and affordable and it really celebrates pop culture. I also look forward to seeing your spring/summer 2010 collection. Thanks!

Chris: Thank you!

Check out the chrishabana & a.ok collaboration here!

PHOTOS OF JEWELRY COURTESY OF OAK
More party photos:) -ps some will go up on the main page as the look of the day in the coming weeks!