02/20/12 - 0 Comments
Dual Show Chats With Titania Inglis
Dual Show: What are your favorite fabrics to work with?
Titania Inglis: My favorite fabrics to work with are the organic cottons that I source from Japan. I found a beautiful striped shirting fabric that I used for my last spring collection and I have a super cool denim that I am saving for a future collection.
DS: How did you come to the consensus that you would source fabric from Japan?
TI: Originally, I was planning to source all of my fabric from the States, but I found that there are not many mills left. The most innovative and highest quality mills are in Japan, a lot of the old denim looms from the US have actually been sold to Japan so all of the new, as well as the vintage, technology has moved over there. Japan ended up being the place to find quality and stylish fabrics.
DS: When it comes to silhouette, do you prefer the fit to be more tapered to the body or do you like pieces that flow freely?
TI: I like a mix but I tend to design things in a very structured way. I also like to fabricate my designs in soft, flowing fabrics because I feel like that shows off the architectural forms in a different way. In general, my silhouettes tend to hug the body, but I do like to do a loose trapeze silhouette to obtain that generous, luxurious use of fabric.
DS: During the design process, where do you gain most of your inspiration?
TI: I find it all around me, some of the inspiration comes from the girls I know in New York. The creative scene, architecture, and product design inspire me when I am developing a collection.
DS: When it comes to accessories, do you foresee your brand branching out to design shoes, handbag, or possibly jewelry?
TI: I would absolutely love to do shoes and handbags at one point. For this season, I had a really fun collaboration with Bliss Lau on the harness accessories that we did. We worked together sketching and draping in her studio, and, based on my seam lines for the collection, she designed the harness pieces.
DS: I read that all of your production is done locally in New York. Is this something you plan to continue doing, or do you see yourself sourcing production in other countries?
TI: At this point, because I am so small, I really feel like New York is the most feasible for multiple reasons: I can keep an eye on production, quality, and make sure things are being made up to my expectations and standards. It is much more difficult to send techpacks overseas and wait for your samples to be shipped back, and it becomes a huge process where you have less control. Once my brand develops, I can see moving production elsewhere, such as Japan, since I source my fabrics from there and they have very high production quality.
DS: Would you describe your current collection as having more classic or fashion forward pieces?
TI: I really tried to keep a balance between the two. Part of my whole vision of sustainability is creating clothes that you don’t just throw away after one season. The idea is to create a piece to be fashion forward with a classic silhouette that is well-proportioned so that you can continue to wear the piece for multiple seasons.
DS: You didn’t incorporate any prints or trims in your fall collection. Why?
TI: I do not use prints or trims, it is not part of my aesthetic. I am most interested in the construction of the clothes, structure is most beautifully set off by not covering pieces with extra details.
DS: What are some of the larger brands that inspire you to have the fit and quality standards of your brand?
TI: I do not look to larger brands, it isn’t my goal to become gigantic. I really admire more established designers such as Maria Cornejo, Isabel Toledo, Ralph Rucci, and Yeohlee who all create amazing work. I look up to people who have established themselves as serious designers quietly.
For more information on Titania Inglis please click here
Interviewed by Lauren Kronzer
Photos Misha Vladimirskiy
