the style line |

Emerging designer New York City designer Amy Claire McCormick Vokey has created a brand that is well on it’s way to reaching the highest level of recognition in regards to contemporary fashion design. The versatility, distinct quality and integrity of Amy’s design aesthetic is truly what sets her a part and as such I caught up with the budding talent to discuss her endeavors, aspirations, design process and overall hopes for the future.

Tell us a bit about your artistic endeavors.

I love to work with my hands. Whether it be cooking, painting, draping fabric or photography, I love to put pieces together creatively and I try to do that everyday in one way or another.

What is the AMYCLAIRE brand all about? 

Mixing art and fashion. Creating beautiful clothing that is simple, elegant and makes you feel sexy with ease.

How would you describe your design process?

The artwork and color palette are the first steps to every collection. Once we have those in place, the draping and pattern work begins.

What inspires you? If we were to peak at your inspiration/mood board what would images or ideas we most likely see?

Other artist’s work, photography and paintings mainly as well as my life and travel. Fall ‘12 is based around Edward Weston’s Nudes and Dunes series mixed with 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea. There are prints of Weston’s photographs, underwater images of sea life, Monterey’s Canary Row among magazine tears and fabric swatches.

Who is the AMYCLAIRE woman? 

She is someone who equally likes fashion and comfort. Who likes to feel and look great while having to put very little into the daily thoughts of her wardrobe and

can throw on a simple while elegantly printed AMYCLAIRE dress and have the confidence to go about her day.

Where do you hope to see AMYCLAIRE in the next year?

In many more stores and magazines.

What do you consider your biggest accomplishment thus far?

Every day is an accomplishment - pulling collections together, handling production, finding inspiration…we have a very small team and do multiple things at once

so every day is a challenge. Making it to wear we are is fantastic to me.

If you could elect anyone to be the spokesmodel/person for AMYCLAIRE who would you choose and why?

Daria Werbowy. She is absolutely beautiful and I have always really liked her work.

What is your number one motto in life?

Don’t sweat the small stuff. 

**Photos courtesy of the Candela website

So far in my short career in fashion (and by short I mean less than two years), I’ve been lucky enough to work with and meet some amazing industry professionals— and the team at Candela NYC only further proved this. I first became familiar with Candela in February as I saw their latest collection being showcased at this past NY Fashion Week. I was in awe of the narrative element used during their presentation, and I really got a sense of the  brand and who they appealed to. Ironically enough, two days later I stumbled across their booth at the  WWDMAGIC tradeshow and the rest was history! Since these encounters, the team has been kind enough to give me the inside scoop on what makes and inspires the Candela brand.

How would you describe Candela as a brand? 

Candela is a bohemian, fun-loving, quirky brand.

What is the inspiration behind the brand? 

Candela’s identity incorporates equestrian and traditional gaucho influences from (founder) Gabriela Perezetti’s native Uruguayan roots and combines them with edgy elements inspired by New York, the city she lives in. 

Who is the Candela girl?

The Candela woman is well traveled, free-spirited, culturally diverse and aims for versatility in her wardrobe. She is aware of her femininity and charm but seeks a sense of ease of wear and timeless elegance in her garments and footwear. 

What do you consider Candela’s biggest accomplishment thus far?

Candela’s biggest accomplishment so far is that it was able to grow at double-digit growth rates during the recession.

Do you all have any advice for those looking to get started in the fashion industry?

Stick to one category! It is very difficult to balance both ready-to-wear and footwear collections. 

You can shop Candela by clicking HERE and see some of my styling work with them by visiting Le Style Child!

It never ceases to amaze me how much creative talent there is throughout the world. This serves an appropriate introduction to introduce budding fashion designer Elena Vasilieva, who proves that with skill, talent and perseverance, achieving a dream is very much possible.

How, when and why did you first become interested in fashion?

I guess it’s hard to pinpoint a specific date here. I’ve always been interested in fashion. It’s just that when I was little and sewing numerous dresses for my Barbie dolls I didn’t really know that what I was doing could be called fashion. And my interest evolved a lot over the years too. It’s now real life women I like to design for.

Tell us a bit about how you got started in fashion design and your design process. 

It all started a little over two years ago and to be honest it really was quite a challenge for me to get into fashion industry. Right after my graduation I remember thinking that I had enough of Law School or any kind of legal stuff for that matter. I wanted to pursue my dreams and my true passion. So bit-by-bit I started designing garments at home, in the meantime looking for an internship with some of the established designers here in Belgium. No one would even consider meeting up with me for an interview since I didn’t have the necessary (fashion) qualifications. And then one day with a little bit of luck and a little bit of persistence I got my internship. Three month after that I started the Vasilieva line and presented my first collection.

The design process for me is always an evolution. I do learn new things every day (and I don’t really mean the sewing itself), it’s mainly about the use of fabrics, textures and trend forecasting.

What inspires you?

I get asked this question a lot. And I have to admit it is super hard to narrow down my inspiration sources to anything in particular. I get inspired by anything and everything really. Sometimes it’s the smallest things that people don’t even notice in their daily lives. Often it would be something awkward or out of the ordinary that catches my eye. I usually document anything I stumble upon and I deem interesting. I do sketch a lot too, even though snapping random pictures has been my favorite activity for years.

Who is the VASILIEVA girl? 

I started off as designing for myself. I always thought of things that I personally would like to wear and to feel good in, yet making a statement. After having made a few collections I realised that this notion is evolving and I am now looking at a more refined picture of who this Vasilieva girl might be. She is someone who knows how to use clothes as a means of self-expression and she is not afraid to stand out in the crowd.

Do you hope for VASILIEVA to become a lifestyle brand? What are your aspirations for the brand in general?

I would love for the brand to be in a constant process of evolution. I do not generally set out prescheduled goals for myself. It is more about the exercise of creation.

You are young, yet you are already making your mark in design-do you see yourself experimenting in any other areas of the fashion industry?

Well, I’m 26. And I always wish I could have done more by now. But I guess things in life take their own course.

In terms of experimenting within the fashion industry, I would love to start my own footwear line, which I have always imagined would go along with my collections. Fingers crossed in the near future this will be more than a dream.

What has been your most rewarding experience thus far?

Meeting people in the street who are wearing my designs. This is probably the best feeling ever.

Do you have any advice for those looking to get started in fashion design?

The most important thing is to believe in yourself and to always stay true to your own design aesthetic.