The Fashion Informer

Random Questions For…Slow and Steady Wins the Race

Like the elusive Martin Margiela, who prefers to remain anonymous and let his collections speak for themselves, the designer behind the experimental label Slow and Steady Wins the Race also opts to keep a low profile so that the focus remains on the work rather than the person behind it.

Releasing bimonthly clothing and accessory “installments” via the SSWTR website and select retailers, the idea behind the collection is to distill classic clothing items – the white t-shirt, the button-down, sunglasses- to their core essence and make experimental ideas available to the masses, albeit in limited quantities (only 100 pieces of each style are produced). 

Hence, the majority of items from SSWTR are priced at $100, while the offerings in the Luxe installment - a pearl embroidered t-shirt, alligator skin grocery bag and four sided leather Birkin-inspired bag - can be had for $1000, though one can custom-order a black velvet evening gown with matching fox fur stole for $10,000 or a Russian sable trench coat for $100,000. (Clearly, someone is partial to round numbers).

Like Maison Martin Margiela, each of the collections focuses on a specific theme, denoted by a number (N^o 1 – Seams, N^o 2 – Prints, N^o 3 – Bags, N^o 4 – Sweats, and so on). 

There is also a wonderful tongue in chic vibe that runs throughout the SSWTR line, thanks to the clever interpretation of iconic designer items – the Balenciaga Motorcycle or Hermes Birkin bags, for instance, and YSL- or Gucci-inspired underwear sets – rendered in humble materials like canvas or cotton. The entire N^o 11 – New Bag collection, meanwhile, is an avant amalgamation of multiple designer bags re-imagined as a series of mega-status satchels (e.g., the Balenciaga/Gucci, the Hermes Birkin/As Four) that manage to look cool and offer a winking commentary on our cultural obsession with stratospherically-priced luxury goods.

Despite her (his?) desire to fly under the radar, The Fashion Informer managed to convince the enigmatic SSWTR creator to step out of the shadows for a quick chat about a few of his (her?) favorite things.

So, SSWTR…

 

What's your favorite time of day?

Morning when light breaks because it evokes a sense of quiet anticipation.

 

What type of music do you typically play while designing the collection?

Anything from Bach to Roy Orbison.

 

Why do you opt to design the collection anonymously?

Because at the end of the day it is about the idea and the body of work.

 

Favorite movie of all time?

A tie so far between Visconti's The Leopard and Roeg's Don't Look Now.  Just watch them and you will know why.

 

What do you do to relax?

Walking and writing down ideas in Central Park.

 

Tell me about your pet(s).

None, sadly.

 

Coffee or tea?

Both.

 

What did you have for breakfast this morning?

Steel cut oatmeal with fresh blueberries, dried cranberries, raw almonds and a touch of maple syrup.

 

For what will you be arrested (hypothetically speaking)?

Protesting a group's struggle.

 

When you were 9, what did you want to be when you grew up?

A designer - true story.

 

What is your dream occupation (other than what you are doing)?

A neurologist.

 

What's your favorite sound?

Right now, a string quartet.

 

What's your favorite smell?

Bois d’Argent by Dior Homme.

 

What freaks you out?

Narrow mindedness.

 

When are you happiest?

Laughing with friends.

Slow and Steady Wins the Race will debut its fall 2009 collection on Friday, February 13th at the Kiosk at 95 Spring Street at Broadway, 2nd floor.  The presentation will then be open to the general public from 11am - 6pm on Saturday, February 14th through Friday, February 20th.

Photos courtesy Slow and Steady Wins the Race

Change Is Served

Visit TenOverSix or The Future Perfect for exclusive Change is Served plates designed by Shepard Fairey.

Giorgio Armani Unveils Victoria Beckham Undie Ads

Here's a sneak peek at the campaign, shot by Mert & Marcus:

Random Questions For…Steven Alan

Steven Alan opened his first eponymous New York store in 1994, selling a well-edited selection of unisex urban classics to an eclectic urban crowd.

He began representing the designers he sold in 1996 with the launch of the Steven Alan Showroom, and introduced his own line of menswear in 1999, adding womenswear a few years later.  Based on the idea of the perfect shirt (for him) and the boyfriend shirt (for her), Alan’s quirky-chic label became an instant cult classic, and is now sold internationally in stores like Barneys, Ron Herman and United Arrows.

Today, there are five Steven Alan boutiques in New York (including the new Brooklyn outpost), three in California, and one in Korea - and the retailer-cum-designer is gearing up for the spring 2009 debut of his Steven Alan for Uniqlo collection.

The Fashion Informer nabbed a few minutes with the globetrotting entrepreneur a few weeks before Christmas to talk travel, sports and the joys of fatherhood.

So, Steven…

 

What's your favorite getaway spot?

Locally it's Spa Castle in Queens. They have around 10 different rooms of heat; one is even lined in gold. When I get away I like to go to places that I've never been. Anything undeveloped that makes me feel like the bustle of NYC is far away works for me.

Beverage of choice?

Lately it’s water with Emergen C. I've had to travel excessively.

Best thing about being a dad?

Watching my son Max grow mentally and emotionally. Yesterday he was at my sample sale and he saw a guy trying a sweater on and looking in the mirror and talking animatedly about it with his girlfriend. Max loved the whole scene and came over and asked me if I had an extra small size in that sweater. It fit him like a dress but he loved it. Now he only wants to wear that sweater.

Most challenging thing about being a dad?

Having to say no and meaning it.

What's the single best piece of professional advice you ever received?

Taking calculated risks and making sure to learn if things go wrong. Some guy on an airplane told me that when I was 11 years old. For some reason, I never forgot that.

What was your nickname as a child, and what's your nickname now?

I didn’t have one growing up. Now sometimes SA.

What's in current rotation on your iPod? 

I haven't uploaded anything since I got it two years ago. I have some Dylan and Blonde Redhead, I think, but I barely have time to listen to it.

When was the last time you rode the subway? 

I'm always on the subway. The last trip was on the A train going to the Upper West Side to see my therapist. It's filled with them up there. I’m always running into people I know on the train going to see their therapists.

What did you do last weekend and what are your plans for this 
weekend?

I just moved into my new apartment. This weekend I'm working at our semi-annual sample sale.

What was the first concert you ever attended?

Tanglewood. It was a classical concert that I went to in summer camp.

What's your favorite sport to watch and to participate in?

I don't watch any unless I need to nap. I snowboard and play tennis.

What never fails to make you cry?

Movies where kids are forced to be adults.

When are you happiest?

Watching Max have fun – and I’m also happy every time I start a new project.

 

Marc Jacobs Consolidates New York Collection Stores

As of Saturday, January 3rd, Mac Jacobs collection fans will no longer be able to sate their MJ jones in the West Village, as the Bank Street collection store has now been turned into a Marc Jacobs men's store, and the MJ kid's store across the street will house MJ men's accessories.  The kid's store is moving to the former MJ men's space on Bleecker Street, and the higher-end collection is being consolidated into the original Mercer Street space in Soho.  

The reason, according to a sales rep?  "Not enough foot traffic" (read: sales) at the Bank Street locale to justify a second NYC collection store. Only time will tell if the men's stores will fare any better on the relatively quiet West Village corner.