February 15, 2010
Lauren Dimet-Waters of Second City Style/Style Coalition for Interviews Designer Adam Lippes at Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week
December 27, 2009
Q&A: Love Rocks NY Designer Limor Ratzabi Senker
Fashion Pulse Daily got the chance to chat with Limor Ratzabi Senker, designer of coveted jewelry brand Love Rocks NY. Ratzabi Senker incorporates a mixture of luxe elements, such as micro pave and diamond dusted gold into her unique designs. We got to learn more about the design process, and her favorite item to create.
Fashion Pulse Daily: What was the moment, when you knew you were destined to design jewelry?
Limor Ratzabi Senker: I grew up going to work with my father in NYC’s diamond district. He wanted me to work in the corporate world, but I just couldn’t keep away. I guess I knew at a young age!
FPD: Can you tell me a bit about the design process for you, from the conception of the idea to execution of the final product?
LRS: When I perceive a design concept – often it comes from an unexpected source like a work of art or architecture. For example, my crack collection was based off the crack installation at the Tate Modern. I work with my staff to adapt these concepts into a modern wearable piece of fine jewelry, and ultimately a collection. My staff primarily consists of old world artisans that were handed down their jewelry making techniques over generations. These skill sets cannot be acquired via traditional education. Over the last few years, we’ve challenged ourselves to utilize the latest technologies in jewelry design. Effectively integrating the old and new into a contemporary point of view is what sets us apart. Every piece is hand made, hand finished with our unique diamond dust finish and hand set using the deep-rooted art of true micro pave. It’s a very technical and labor intensive process, but well worth it.
FPD: What is your favorite item to craft – pendants, rings, earrings, etc?
LRS: I make a lot of engagement rings. It’s always exciting to be a part of the celebration of love.
FPD: For those unfamiliar with the brand, how would you describe the signature look of Lock Rocks NY?
LRS: The line started off as customizable charms, and has evolved into intricate 3-dimensional pieces focusing on the original aesthetic, modern clean lines, micro pave and diamond dusted gold.
FPD: What is your academic background and what was your career path before you launched your custom jewelry line and Love Rocks NY?
LRS: I attended NYU and worked in the corporate world (per my parents wishes). I always had one foot in 47th street as I began designing and producing diamond jewelry out of my living room for a small, private clientele. Working closely with my clients enabled me to further develop my design viewpoint by bringing the customers needs to the forefront of my creative process.
Having grown up in the diamond district of NYC, I jumped into the jewelry business in depth in 2005, when I launched Love Rocks NY.
FPD: How do you communicate with the customer, to gather feedback about the designs – do you twitter, have a facebook page, etc?
LRS: All of the above
FPD: Where do you see Love Rocks NY in five years from now – more categories, a lower-priced line, etc?
LRS: I see Love Rocks NY growing into more categories and, especially bridal.
-Julia DiNardo
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November 13, 2009
Wendy Glez Organic: What Lies Beneath
Wendy Crowe knows lingerie. The Wendy Glez Collection (Glez is an abbreviation of her maiden name, Gonzalez) has received accolades for its incredible fit and versatility, blurring the line between innerwear and outwear. Next on her plate is Wendy Glez Organic, an innovative line of lingerie and loungewear that is not only sexy and comfortable, but also environmentally friendly, launching this spring.
FPD: Why is organic so important to you, and when did you decide that this was something you needed to incorporate into your collection?
WC: Creating a line that helps the environment and helps the people and animals in it, is important to me. I was raised by a vegetarian mother, that is a naturalist and a philanthropist, so it was only natural for me to start this line.
FPD: Tell me a bit about the performance/benefits of using bamboo and organic cotton in lingerie/intimates?
WC: Using natural fibers in lingerie and sleep wear is always better than using man-made materials. Bamboo fabric for example is softer than cotton with a texture similar to silk. It is a naturally antibacterial and hypoallergenic product grown without the use of chemicals or pesticides. It is also quick to absorb moisture, therefore keeping you dry and odor free. Pure bamboo clothes can dry twice as fast as cotton clothes. Bamboo clothes can be worn all year round as they keep you cool in summer and warm in winter. Cotton is the only fiber that becomes stronger when wet, and it is biodegradable and a renewable resource.
FPD: Did you have to do a lot of r&d before you settled on the fabrications, processes, and colors that are included in the Organic line?
WC: Launching the organic line was a long process, especially when it is hard to find dyeing companies that can do AZO-free low impact dyes, which can also do washes or tie-dye techniques that are current.
FPD: What has been the reaction thus far (buyers, friends) to the Wendy Glez Organic line?
WC: When I started Wendy Glez lingerie & lounge wear seven years ago, my mission was to design a line that incorporated sustainable practices. So for years, customers have been wearing Wendy Glez, that is manufactured in Los Angeles, from a sweat-shop free environment and using laces from France and Italy from mills that practice sustainable and eco-free measures. So… when I launched Wendy Glez organic, my customers felt that it was a natural transition to what I already sold to them. I must admit that I have added new “Organic” stores since I launched it, so little by little I feel I am covering all my basis.
FPD: What are the prices like for the Organic line, and how does it compare to your signature line (price wise and in other aspects)?
WC: The organic line has comparable prices to that of the regular line. The prices for a tunic/cami and pant set for the Organic will run aproxomitely to $140-160.
FPD: The new line launches in the spring; where can we find it?
WC: The new line will be out in stores the first week of March. In Canada it will be available at Holt Renfrew and in the USA it will be available at www.atropicalaffair.com , and Twig & Twill Organic boutique in Scottsdale, Arizona (to name a few).
FPD: I know you did a Wendy Glez for Anthropologie line; would you consider doing a lower-priced Wendy Glez Organic line with a big box retailer like Target, Wal-Mart, or Kohl’s?
WC: For Anthropologie we design styles for them and they purchase under our own label. Working with them is nice and selling my Organic line to Target would be really nice!
FPD: Ultimately, what message do you want to send with the new line to customers?
WC: My ultimate message that I want to send to others, is if they purchase their clothes from companies or designers like mine-not only do they contribute to help save the environment, but they will find themselves to be part of a lifestyle that is aware of the importance of eating healthy, caring for animals, and the importance of being physically active.
FPD: I see you have a blog – how long have you been writing it and do you feel its a medium to gauge feedback and engage with customers?
WC: I have been writing on my blog, off and on for maybe 6-7 months. It is very hard to find time to update it, but I feel it is important to reach my message to the blog world! I really want to inform others about animal issues, environmental issues, eco-fashion, sales, and moi! I hope that it will help me understand my consumers as well.
-Julia DiNardo
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November 10, 2009
Candela NYC: Casual, Carefree, Cool
Fashion Pulse Daily had the opportunity to chat with the amazing design duo behind Candela NYC, Natalia Kuks-Jacobs and Gabriela Perezutti-Isacson. Read on to find out more about one of our favorite new brands!
FPD: Candela appears to have practically become a success overnight; what was it like starting out and then so rapidly acquiring a strong international presence of 200 + stores? And, what does the name ‘Candela’ mean?
C: It is very exciting to have a brand that was liked since the first time we showed our collection. Candela is the Latin word Candle which is a unit for measuring the intensity of light. Also, in Argentina & Uruguay, Candela can be used as a proper female name. In the Caribbean island there is a saying “que me den Candela” when you are dancing. It is also a word that is associated with warmth, color, light.
FPD: Candela is a collaboration of two designers (Natalia Kuks-Jacobs and Gabriela Perezutti-Isacson); how did you two meet? And how did you decide to create a fashion line together?
C: We met thru a very close friend in 1997. When Natalia moved to New York shortly thereafter we decided to start a collection together and the rest is history.
FPD: How do you define ‘style’?
C: Style involves everything from the way you dress, your mannerisms, expressions, how you conduct yourself, and how you connect with others.
FPD: What are three pieces a girl cannot live without?
C: A great pair of Candela flats boots that can pass the test of time, when the leather is of high quality- the more they are used the better they will look.
A Candela classic leather jacket that you can dress up or dress down. They are always the “Editor’s Pick” on Shopbop.com and keep selling out.
A silk chiffon dress that can be paired with a chunky Candela sweater or leather jacket with flat boots, or for night with a pair of heels.
FPD: It must be so thrilling to see celebrities in your clothes; who has worn Candela so far, and do you have a favorite celebrity that you would love to see your clothes on?
Kate Hudson, Fergie, Ciara, Rihanna etc… Uma Thurman would be a celebrity we would love to dress.
FPD: Candela is very much influenced by your backgrounds/interests in Argentina and Uruguay correct? Can you elaborate on that for a bit?
C: Buenos Aires is a very beautiful city, it looks like a European city but with the care free attitude of South America. In Uruguay you grow up surrounded by nature’s beauty. There is a specific aesthetic that evolves when you involve nature, horses and ranching. We are drawn to big belts, strong boots, long lasting materials. Growing up in South America and now living in New York brings a very unique point of view.
FPD: If you can name one signature; a particular item, a cut, a fabrication, that is uniquely Candela and distinctive, what would it be?
C: Boots, OTK we have been doing them since Fall 07 and they are a huge trend now, the same as with men inspired Taylor shoes, that we have been designing since Spring 2007.
FPD: What are the three must-have pieces from the SS10 collection?
C: Only 3? Paco dress in short & long, Tulle short dress, Lace Taylor shoe, buckle heel bootie!
FPD: Candela launched a shoe collection in 2006; do you see Candela expanding into other accessories and brand extensions soon?
C: For now we are focusing in a complete RTW and shoe collection but we can see bags, belts, and other accessories coming to play in the near future.
FPD: Where do you plan on opening your first store, and how will you make your online presence uniquely reflect the brand?
C: We are opening our first e-commerce store in early 2010. We will then discuss opening our first retail store in NY.
-Jaimie Sanita
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