May 31, 2011 |
FROM THE VOLT (WINTER 2010)
This is what we call a three way. A sort of three way conversation on the phone. With the multi talented duo behind Opening Ceremony. Like in a 90’s American suburbia TV show. We were always jealous of three way calling. But we’ve gone one better. Three way pinging. It’s like the future doncha know. Just like these two are the future of fashion.
HOW DID YOU GET STARTED IN FASHION?
Humberto: I worked at the mall and loved clothes.”
Carol: I got started in fashion when I moved to New York in 2000.
FIRST JOB?
Humberto: Working as a greeter at the Gap.
Carol: At Bally, during their re-branding period.
WHY DO YOU DO WHAT YOU DO?
Humberto: I do what I do because of the kinds of projects and people we get to work with. I think our company extends beyond fashion. We are interested in all aspects of culture and lifestyle…
Carol: We don’t have any boundaries.
WHAT HAS BEEN THE HIGHLIGHT OF YOUR CAREER?
Carol: Every year is a highlight. Our goal for the company is to create more and more highlights.
MOST MEMORABLE MOMENT?
Humberto: The first day we opened.
WHAT DID YOU WANT TO BE AS A CHILD?
Humberto: I wanted to be in advertising. I loved the TV show “Who’s the Boss?” and I wanted to be Angela Bower.
Carol: I wanted to be chef. I definitely played the “welcome to my restaurant” game and tried to charge my family for meals and snacks.
DID YOU EVER PLAY SHOP?
Humberto: I always played shop… I would sell things around my house back to my mom.
WHAT’S YOUR SECRET TO RUNNING A SUCCESSFUL SHOP?
Carol: We work really hard on making everything fun, exciting and new…
WHY DO PEOPLE KEEP COMING BACK TO YOU?
Carol: the store changes all the time and I think that there is a reason to come back and see what is new.
HOW DO YOU FEED THE HUNGER?
Humberto: We always buy from the gut and I think that is all we know how to do.
HOW DO YOU CHOOSE WHAT GOES IN THE SHOP?
Carol: We always think about occasions and that is how we buy.
WHAT TO STOCK?
Humberto: We like to be influenced by our childhood.
WHAT DO YOU NEED TO MAKE THE CUT?
Carol: Make interesting unique things and show me!
HOW EASY IS IT TO DESIGN YOUR OWN RANGE?
Humberto: Quite easy, we do it from a very specific perspective.
DO YOU EVER THINK, OH MIGHT AS WELL GIVE UP?
Humberto: Never! No one should ever give up.
WHY BOTHER?
Carol: We know why we love what we do.
THERE MUST BE A DESIGNER OUT THERE WHO’S DONE IT?
Humberto: We try to make it because it hasn’t been make.
LET’S JUST BUY IT IN INSTEAD?
Carol: we will make it and if a designer makes it, we will buy it also.
ARE YOU PLANNING ANY MORE ‘CELEBRITY’ COLLABORATIONS? A FOLLOW UP TO THE CHLOE SEVIGNY COLLECTION? MAYBE SOMETHING WITH THE KARDASHIANS?
Carol: These partnerships are not planned. They are all spontaneous. We never think about celebrities. Chloe is more than a celebrity. She is style icon and an expert. We are launching our new collection with her on January 15 and we will definitely work on more projects to come.
DO YOU EVER WORK THE TILLS?
Humberto: Always. Come to the store on Saturdays and Sundays and you will see that Carol and I are always having gift-wrapping contests.
TEN: IS THE CUSTOMER ALWAYS RIGHT?
Carol: Always. I’m the hardest customer.
by Natalie Dembinska
Photograph by Rainer Hosch – www.rainerhosch.com
