Show Me The Pretty is a two-part interview series between hand-selected indie fashion labels and fashion PR/marketing experts. Sound like fun? Email info[at]prcouture.com for consideration.
One of my favorite quotes by Hardy Amies sums it up: “A man should look as if he had bought his clothes with intelligence, put them on with care, and then forgotten all about them.” -Kristina Angelozzi
Fischer Clothing is a New York based clothing company featuring casual mens and womenswear, designed by Kristina Angelozzi. Before launching Fischer in 2009, Kristina clocked over fix years honing her craft, working Americana mainstays, the Gap and Hanes. Initial press from online mega’s like Refinery29 and Flavorwire note her “sweet yet sleek” style, references to Katherine Hepburn, and take full use of her atmospheric, cinematic photography.
You studied at Parsons – did you always know you wanted to design clothes? Anything you wish had been part of your education but wasn’t?
Growing up, my mom was kind of a hippie and used to make a lot of our clothes. So I’d always be messing around with her machine until she finally broke down and got me my own. I think I was 11. I kept with it and really got into art classes in high school. After graduating, I studied fashion a small art college in Pennsylvania for 2 years and went on to design costumes at a theater for another 2 years. So by the time I got to Parsons (at the age of 21), I already had a lot of experience sewing and patternmaking etc.
Parsons was really great- It has an amazing staff and reputation in the industry so it opens a lot of doors for you with internships and interviews, etc. At the time of graduation, I my education was definitely enough to get me started in my career. Nowadays, I am trying to take time to study and learn on my own now- like fabric washes and finishes, construction methods and fit.
Ok – I’ve got to know – what was it like designing at the Gap? When/Why did you make the decision to launch your own line?
Ha- Good question. I think everyone in the industry should work at a place like the Gap at some point in their career, it’s like a rite of passage or something. You learn a lot and meet a lot of really great people, and you truly spend your time working on product only. Which is great- but you don’t get any of the experience you need if you want to launch your own line, like production, costing, merchandising, etc. When I left the Gap I interned with a few small designers to try and get a better understanding of what it takes to be on your own. It’s a completely different planet. Anyway, I’d always been hoping to do my own line, I think most designers do- it was just a matter of getting the time, money and concept all in line.
I love the atmosphere you created with your spring 11 photography. Tell me a bit about the idea for the shoot and location.
Thanks so much!! The location is the actual home of NYC ex-pat, Sean Scherer who now lives upstate in an 1800-something cottage that he’s been totally renovating by hand. He’s an interior designer, artist, teacher and really cool, intelligent guy. It’s really inspiring working in a creative, interesting environment for the lookbook shoots. It’s like setting the stage in theater. S/S 11 was a very 70′s daydreamy, laid back collection. Sean’s home was a perfect- it captures the beauty of simplicity and nature married with art and craftsmanship.
What are three key things to keep in mind when designing menswear vs womenswear?
- For me, menswear is a study in pattern, fit and detail. Womenswear is an exploration of those same elements.
- Men love to buy the same thing over and over. Women would buy something new everyday if they could.
- Which sides the buttons go on!
What elements make for a well-dressed man? If you could dress anyone in the world, who would it be?
For men and women alike, it’s knowing what fits, looks good together and when to say when. And having the most important accessory- confidence. To be honest, I want to dress everyone! I love the idea of creating the clothing, and it looks completely different on different people. Like cologne. But if I have to pick one man and woman, I’ll say Sofia Coppola and Thomas Mars.
Stay tuned next week for part 2: Fashion PR advice
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