L&T: Why did you become a fashion designer?
Nanette Lepore: I grew up in a very adventurous bohemian family. My dad is an abstract painter and my mom was the chicest kindergarten teacher in town. They encouraged my creativity and when I began to sew at a young age, they were extremely supportive. Later on, I was a Spanish major in college, toying with the idea of being a social worker, and realized that I really wanted nothing more than to design clothing. I married my husband, moved to New York to attend FIT and the rest is history.

L&T: What obstacles did you face to get where you are today?
Nanette Lepore: I started my company with a $5,000 loan from my dad. I struggled to build a business and the process happened very very slowly. Because I couldn’t afford to make mistakes, I was forced to rely on the local factories to guide my work and mentor me along the way. One big reason I’m still such a dedicated advocate for New York’s Garment Center is my appreciation for the support I received at that beginning stage of my career- it was vital to my success.

L&T: What was the inspiration behind your latest collection?
Nanette Lepore: When I was thinking about my Spring 2012 collection, I was inspired by Cybill Shepherd in The Last Picture Show and all those soft, feminine silhouettes of the 1950s. But I wanted to take that classic femininity and turn it on its ear with an exuberant palette of shocking neons. I had also seen an amazing exhibition of Olympic athletes at the Venice Biennale and wanted to infuse my collection with some of their tenacity and athleticism.

L&T: What is your favorite trend this season? Ever?
Nanette Lepore: I’m having a love affair with neon right now but usually I fall for anything that glitters…

L&T: Who is your style icon?
Nanette Lepore: My mom was the most beautiful, stylish person I’ve ever met. I also love watching my daughter Violet’s fashion sense develop.

L&T: What advice would you give an aspiring fashion designer?
Nanette Lepore: Make it in America- the opportunity is right here in New York City.

L&T: What is your favorite place to go on vacation? Favorite city?
Nanette Lepore: We take a yearly trip to Italy as a whole family. Last summer we went to the Aeolian islands off the coast of Sicily. With all those volcanoes and rocky beaches, the islands had a really primordial feel and we had blast exploring. My all time favorite city is Venice. I love getting lost there.

L&T: What is your favorite restaurant in New York?
Nanette Lepore: I love the pasta and people-watching at Bar Pitti.

L&T: What is the one item you couldn’t live without?
Nanette Lepore: Besides my daughter Violet, I can’t live without YSL mascara.

L&T: What is your favorite quote/quote you live by?
Designer Dialogue: My Dad used to tell me: “You have to push the peanut with your nose.”

• Tags
• Designer Dialogue

L&T: Why did you become a fashion designer?

Betsey Johnson: Because I wanted to be a Rockette, but I was too short.

L&T: What obstacles did you face to get where you are today?

Betsey Johnson: Bankers, bullies & bad apples.

L&T: What was the inspiration behind your latest collection?

Betsey Johnson: Feline females on the go.

L&T: What is your favorite trend this season? Ever?

Betsey Johnson: The “Do Your Own Thing” trend.

L&T: Who is your style icon?

Betsey Johnson: Lady Gaga

L&T: What advice would you give an aspiring fashion designer?

Betsey Johnson: If you don’t love it, leave it. If you don’t live and die for it, forget it.

L&T: What is your favorite place to go on vacation? Favorite city?

Betsey Johnson: Favorite vacation: My house in the country in East Hampton, to hang out with my family, especially my daughter Lulu and my granddaughters Layla and Ella. Favorite city: New York

L&T: What is your favorite restaurant in New York?

Betsey Johnson: Little Giovanni’s on 83^rd.

L&T: What is the one item you couldn’t live without?

Betsey Johnson: My red lipstick.

L&T: What is your favorite quote/quote you live by?

Betsey Johnson: Do unto others as you would have done unto you.

• Tags
• Designer Dialogue

L&T: Why did you become a fashion designer?

Nicole Richie: Fashion has always been a huge part of my life, whether it’s playing dress up with my dad’s costumes, watching my mom get glam-ed up for an event, or creating my own ice-skating costumes for competitions, it’s just something that felt close and natural to me and when the opportunity came, I knew I had to jump at it.

L&T: What obstacles did you face to get where you are today?

Nicole Richie: It’s one thing to love and be passionate about fashion, but it’s another to learn about the business inside and out.  It’s not an obstacle exactly but learning about the industry as a whole has opened my eyes to an entirely new experience.

L&T: What was the inspiration behind your latest collection?

Nicole Richie: The Fall 2011 Winter Kate collection was inspired by style icons of the late 60′s/early 70′s, such as Penelope Tree, Peggy Moffitt and Edie Sedgwick.  We incorporated a mod twist, while continuing to stay true to the brand’s signature style.  Minimalist pieces are paired with kimonos and bed jackets with a hint of Far East influence, a popular and coveted trend of the 70′s, visible in the prints and color palette.

L&T: What is your favorite trend this season? Ever?

Nicole Richie: I’m not really about trends, it’s more about what you love and what feels right and is comfortable.

L&T: Who is your style icon?

Nicole Richie: My mother

L&T: What advice would you give an aspiring fashion designer?

Nicole Richie: Take it one day at a time

L&T: What is your favorite place to go on vacation? Favorite city?

Nicole Richie: Morocco, Thailand, Paris, New York, etc…

L&T: What is your favorite restaurant in New York?

Nicole Richie: Blue Ribbon Sushi

L&T: What is the one item you couldn’t live without?

Nicole Richie: There are too many things!

Nicole Richie is the designer of Winter Kate and House of Harlow 1960.

• Tags
• Designer Dialogue

L&T: Why did you become a fashion designer?

Deborah Lloyd: I’ve known since I was a little girl that I wanted to be a designer. I was making clothes for my dolls at a young age, and that drive to design never wavered.

L&T: What obstacles did you face to get where you are today?

Deborah Lloyd: I definitely put in a lot of hard work, and kept a strong work ethic. Determination was what landed me in my dream job.

L&T: What was the inspiration behind your latest collection?

Deborah Lloyd: Ladylike glamour is such a strong inspiration – I love to incorporate feminine silhouettes with deep saturated colors, graphic prints, and a hint of sparkle.

L&T: What is your favorite trend this season? Ever?

Deborah Lloyd: Bold prints, bright colors, and a dash of whimsy!

L&T: Who is your style icon?

Deborah Lloyd: I am so inspired by the glamorous ladies of Old Hollywood like Catherine Deneuve and Jean Shrimpton.

L&T: What advice would you give an aspiring fashion designer?

Deborah Lloyd: My advice is to work hard and don’t expect opportunities to fall in your lap, seek out internships and apprenticeships to learn from. Always look for inspiration, and most importantly- love what you do.

L&T: What is your favorite place to go on vacation? Favorite city?

Deborah Lloyd: I visit Antigua every year for New Years to meet up with old friends. Seasonal trips to London and Paris are also a must!

L&T: What is your favorite restaurant in New York?

Deborah Lloyd: Indochine is an old favorite of mine – it has been around forever, but I still go back time and time again.

L&T: What is the one item you couldn’t live without?

Deborah Lloyd: It is so hard to choose one thing – but I would say my dresses. I never stray from my uniform of a good dress – I can instantly feel put together for any occasion by adding some great accessories.

L&T: What is your favorite quote/quote you live by?

Deborah Lloyd: Love what you do, have fun, and always keep your eyes open.

• Tags
• Designer Dialogue

• Tags
• Designer Dialogue

L&T: Why did you become a fashion designer?
Jill Zarin: My first job was working in the basement of a local tween clothing store on Long Island. I would organize and clean up the stock room in exchange for free jeans. I was only 14 years old. I always knew I wanted to be surrounded by clothing and would help the store owner select merchandise that was fashionable in my high school. I had an instinct for fashion trends and what would sell then, that has served me well throughout my career. I developed many private label programs for almost every large department store for the 15 years I worked in wholesale clothing and accessories.  I knew I wanted to be a buyer since Junior High School and have followed that path ever since then. There is nothing more rewarding than dressing someone up and having them feel their best.
 
L&T: What obstacles did you face to get where you are today?
Jill Zarin: Everyone faces certain challenges throughout their life, and I am not different. From personal to professional. It is how you deal with them that will ultimately decide your success. I have used the lessons learned, both positive and negative, to get me to the place I am now. 
           
L&T: What was the inspiration behind your new collection?
Jill Zarin: It is important to look back for knowledge before you go forward in general. I looked through old magazines and researched the history of undergarments and shapewear this century. I was most inspired by the 1940’s and find it ironic how popular it is becoming since the new show Pan Am premiered on ABC. Everyone loves this collection because of it’s authenticity to the old hollywood style. I wanted to make sure that this collection was fashionable, and made women feel confident and proud to show off their shapewear.
           
L&T: What is your favorite trend this season? Ever?
Jill Zarin: This season I am loving the return of monochromatic as a trend and the return of neo-classicism. It’s classy, timeless, and elegant for everyday dressing. From the runways of Milan to the department stores of New York we see it everywhere this season! I love mixing up crisp black and whites with my Skweez couture for everyday meetings and appearances.

Ever is a tough one. Classic Chic – everything from the Chanel jacket to the little black dress. It’s a trend that will always be in my life, a trend I’ve been seen wearing confidently at the most important moments of my personal or professional life. It’s also the best trend to mix up with new pieces – you can throw in a little 80s glamour, which I also love – with your favorite tailored blazer or a slimming pencil skirt. 
          
L&T: Who is your style icon?
Jill Zarin: I love Jennifer Lopez. I love how she uses her hair and makeup to compliment each look to complete each outfit. She does a great job of putting it together each and every time she goes out no matter where it is.
          
L&T: What advice would you give an aspiring fashion designer?
Jill Zarin: First…you need a mentor. It could be a professor, friend or local store owner in your town, but someone who can guide you. Most important is to keep drawing designs and save them. You never know when you might look back at something you discarded that might come back in fashion. Volunteer or intern for the companies you hope to work for someday or you feel you could thrive in. Make a wish list and make it happen.
          
L&T:  What is your favorite place to go on vacation? Favorite city?
Jill Zarin: The World. Literally. As I write this I am sitting on the veranda of our residence on the ship named The World overlooking Lipari, Italy. A small volcanic island off the southern coast. The ship takes 2 years to travel the globe and has visited over 800 in the last 10 years. If I had to pick a favorite city…it is home…New York City. Favorite spot for “trip of a Lifetime”? Alaska.
           
L&T: What is your favorite restaurant in New York?
Jill Zarin: Landmark in the Time Warner Building for French toast. I can eat it for breakfast, lunch AND dinner!  Rao’s for Italian in Harlem.
          
L&T: What is the one item you couldn’t live without?
Jill Zarin: I can’t live without my Skweez Shapewear. I feel so feminine and look better in my clothing when I wear them!
           
L&T: What is your favorite quote/quote you live by?
Jill Zarin: My mom and sister wrote a book with me called Secrets of a Jewish Mother that is loaded with them but my favorite? We make plans and God laughs.

• Tags
• Designer Dialogue

L&T: Why did you become an interior designer?

Jonathan Adler: I always say that my career is completely accidental – and it’s true.  I tend to say yes to everything and when a friend of mine asked if I would decorate her house, I said yes and voilà!  An interior designer was born.

L&T: What obstacles did you face to get where you are today?
Jonathan Adler: One of the greatest challenges for me has been growing my business while maintaining my design and brand identity.  I have a brand manifesto that I wrote in the very beginning when I opened my first store in 1998 which has been integral to staying true to myself.  It’s on the wall of my office and all of my 15 retail stores still to this day.

L&T: What was the inspiration behind your latest collection?
Jonathan Adler: I am always inspired by everything around me, it’s important to keep your eyes peeled for new ideas – you never know when inspiration will smack you on the head.  Believe it or not, I also get lots of ideas in my sleep.  I wake up with little sketches or notes by my bedside that I’ve written in the middle of the night.

L&T: What is your favorite trend in interior design?
Jonathan Adler: My favorite trend is that there are no trends!  Anything goes – there are no no’s.

L&T: Who is your style icon?
Jonathan Adler: I have a canon of my design heroes – David Hicks, Bjorn Wiinblad, Alexander Girard and Bonnie Cashin.  I love them because they all had incredible style – bold, innovative, chic – and they all beautifully expressed the joy of creativity.

L&T: What advice would you give an aspiring interior designer?
Jonathan Adler: To work incredibly hard, say yes to every project big and small and learn to be flexible and innovative.  The technology that is available today can facilitate your work and save so much time – use it to you advantage.

L&T: What is your favorite place to go on vacation? Favorite city?
Jonathan Adler: My favorite place to go on vacation is Capri and to stay at the Scalinatella – it’s just heaven.  Simon and I go every summer and I dream of going there for the 51 weeks of the year that I am not there. My favorite city is and always has been New York!  There is no place like home and I’m lucky to live in the most dynamic and inspiring city in the world – although I am crazy about London and we just opened a store there, so I am thrilled to have an excuse to go there all the time and live out my anglophilic dreams.

L&T: What is your favorite restaurant in New York?
Jonathan Adler: Il Cantinori is utterly delicious and around the corner from my pad, which you can’t beat.  The food is incredible and it’s great for people watching – there is always someone canoodling there in a corner.

L&T: What is the one item you couldn’t live without?
Jonathan Adler: I could never live without my husband Simon and our terrier, Liberace.

L&T: What is your favorite quote/quote you live by?
Jonathan Adler: It has to be my company motto – “if your heirs won’t fight over it, we won’t make it”.

• Tags
• Designer Dialogue

L&T: Why did you become a fashion designer?

Shaun Kearney: Actually, I very nearly became an actor instead! But fashion was always a passion for me and I couldn’t stay away from it… I’ve always been interested in the way that clothing allows you to express yourself and tell a story. I love creating pieces that evoke an emotional response in the person who wears them!

L&T: What obstacles did you face to get where you are today?
Shaun Kearney: Moving to New York fifteen years ago without ever having visited was fairly challenging, to say the least! It was difficult to find the right home, the right job and to have to make sacrifices to do those things. Our business is incredibly demanding, so having to live through all those obstacles was tough. The biggest obstacle of all is removing your ego – that is crucial.

L&T: What was the inspiration behind your latest collection?
Shaun Kearney: For Spring 2012 I was thinking of a chic globetrekker who picks up inspiration from every place she visits and incorporates it all back into her unique look… Eclectic tribal references from around the globe, lots of beading and fringe and braid detail, unified with a sporty 90s inspired utility feel.

L&T: What is your favorite trend this season? Ever?
Shaun Kearney: I love all the surface interest in the spring collection – the multi-colored embellishments, fringing, braiding, etc. I love textiles and this is the season to really push it forward.

L&T: Who is your style icon?
Shaun Kearney: I’m biased because I’m a Brit, but Kate Moss sets the bar for personal style as far as I’m concerned – and of course many have copied her along the way.

L&T: What advice would you give an aspiring fashion designer?
Shaun Kearney: Be prepared to work very, very hard! Fashion looks glamorous from the outside, but it is a serious business and is an industry filled with some of the most dedicated, passionate and hardworking people I know! Don’t even think of becoming a designer unless you live and breathe fashion!

L&T: What is your favorite place to go on vacation? Favorite city?
Shaun Kearney: I love spending time in the Maldives… the colors that I see there, from the bright fish to the pure blue water to the white sands, are so vivid and inspiring.

L&T: What is your favorite restaurant in New York?
Shaun Kearney: Locanda Verde! My favorite comfort food.

L&T: What is the one item you couldn’t live without?

Shaun Kearney: Not exactly an item, but my life wouldn’t be complete without my daughter Skyler.

L&T: What is your favorite quote/quote you live by?

Shaun Kearney: Be in control of your own destiny!

Shaun Kearney is the Creative Director of Cynthia Steffe.

• Tags
• Designer Dialogue