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.
Refreshingly cool guy.
Posted by: Sadia | January 12, 2009 at 05:51 PM
Great interview. Can't wait to see what the SA for Uniqlo collaboration has in store.
Posted by: Angela | January 13, 2009 at 12:11 PM
its a breath of fresh air to see a young designer who's so down to earth and who works at his own annual sample sale. his designs keep getting better season after season! looking forward to the uniqlo capsule collection.
Posted by: miss sophie | March 19, 2009 at 09:13 AM