Tag: fashion

Yoga Army

 

 Yoga Army is a fun fusion of sexy and classic chic fashion line created by Sandy Wee and Sebastian. The dream duo partnered after Sandy was designing for 10 years for other major brands and after Sebastian left  the music, film, and yoga biz. In this interview Sandy Wee tells the Yoga Army story and how it is destined to set fashion trends.
When did your fascination with fashion design begin and how did you get involve with Yoga army?
My fascination began as a tweenager growing up in the San Fernando valley during the 80’s – I learned how to sew in order to peg down the legs of my corduroys and jeans before there were leggings, then we got into fluorescent harem pants a la MC Hammer, and then we graduated to the cool Mod looks with fur lined parkas, peacoats, and bommer jackets.  We used to go thrift shopping and alter these shifts from the 60’s and make them shorter to wear over white tights and Mary Jane flats.  People used to look at us strangely, but my friends and I loved to stand out and make a fashion statement in a cool, classy way.Yoga Army began when we partnered up after my 10 plus years of designing for other major brands and after Sebastian left the music, film and yoga biz.

How would you describe the Yoga Army fashion line?
Yoga Army is a fun fusion of sexy and classic chic. .  I love working with leathers and soft jerseys, or cool fluid silks with a touch of flowery lace – it makes a dress a lot more interesting.

What does the name Yoga Army mean?
Actually Sebastian my partner came up with that name, it’s basically our own version of the yin and yang – yoga meaning tranquility and union of the self and Army which for us stands for strength and the  resolve to stand by your beliefs.  This is basically the design concept behind the line – finding the balance between two dichotamies, speaking in the design sense, the hard and soft aspects.

What is the inspiration behind the Yoga Army clothes?
The primary inspiration was to have both a seductive style and comfort simultaneously.  Most often men can attend any events wearing comfortable shirts and jackets to keep them warm while women are usually freezing in barely there clothing and high heels. We wanted to keep the silhouettes sexy but tried to keep the waists from being too tight, and if short, keeping the body very drapey and fluid so that the focus is not only on the exposed legs but on the movement above.  Balancing the two concepts is what keeps Yoga Army dresses a great staple to have.

“I think the absolute best thing about being an independent fashion designer is the ability to set the trends and make a statement that you believe in and not always follow what the entire market declares is trendy and IN.”

Who do you see wearing Yoga Army fashions from everyday women to celebrities?
Today’s woman, on the go, from business meetings in the daytime to the cocktail party at night, and on the plane for a relaxing trip to Dubai.  Celebrities? Lindsay Price, April Scott, Jaime Presley, Jenny McCarthy, Donna D’Errico & Holly Robinson are just a few

We would love to dress Zooey Deschanel, Milla Jovovich & Kate Beckinsale.

Yoga Army

 

 

April Scott - Yoga Army

What would be one of your most memorable Yoga Army garments you’ve ever designed?
Definitely the kimono with the leather obo waists.  We embroidered my artwork of a stork in a flowery pond and it came out beautifully.

Can you tell us more about the Yoga Army collection for this season, and for the upcoming season?
This season was very influenced by the Gilded Age – the turn of the century Victorian America.  Corsets, as you know were made with whalebones and were very stiff and restrictive, sometimes cinching women’s waists down to 13.”  We have updated the corset idea using soft leathers with jersey, thereby giving the appearance of a small cinched in waist while having the stretch and comfort of the jersey back.  The final effects are extremely modern and sexy at the same time!

For Spring the collection, we call it Lawrence of Arabia meets The Fifth Element – lots of drapey silks trimmed with soft leather straps and exaggerated, sculpted shoulders with bandaged leather mitered fronts – concepts that offer new silhouettes – if you are daring enough to wear them!

Who are some of your favorite designers of all time?
I’m inspired by Lanvin – for Elbaz’s gorgeous sense of classic elegance (he knows what looks good on a woman), Stella McCartney – always ever so modern and sportswear driven, and John Galliano – for his dramatic playfulness and attention to detail – all of these designers I ultimately respect for being masters of the technical side of designing as well as their vision.

Where can we shop for Yoga Army clothes?
Nikabutik.com (847) 696-1700, Pulse in Stl Louis – Pulsestl.com (636) 519-4022, Southmoonunder.com, Fred Segal Emphatic (310)394-1208 and about 300+ more stores in the US.

What do you love most about being a fashion designer?
I think the absolute best thing about being an independent fashion designer is the ability to set the trends and make a statement that you believe in and not always follow what the entire market declares is trendy and “IN.”

How would you describe your own style?
I’m a mixture of Rocker Chic and Relaxed Chic.  I always want to be comfortable so mostly I’m strolling around in flat knee high boots with leggings or skinny jeans and one of my silk tops or dresses.  Sebastian is very rock’n roll – all jeans and chunky heavy silver jewelry!

What’s next for Yoga Army?
Always something new and exciting

Style Interviews would like to thank Sandy for sharing her love of fashion with us and please check out Yoga Army’s official home online at www.yogaarmy.com

Rachel Pally

Rachel Pally is the talented fashion designer behind the Rachel Pally fashion line. In this interview, Rachel talks about how she fell in love with fashion design while working at a custom shop in college, the Rachel Pally design philosophy, and what made her fashion line take-off as a must have brand among celebrities.

When did your fascination with fashion design begin?
I was working in the costume shop for my dance department in college and just fell in love with it. I loved making costumes and seeing them worn, and I started to make things for myself. Pretty soon my girlfriends were borrowing my pieces and I thought, “Hey! I should give this a try!”

Can you tell us how it all began: the Rachel Pally fashion line?
After I started sewing my own clothes, I sold them on consignment at a store/gallery in Chinatown in LA and things kept selling out. So I made a set of samples and shopped them around to stores.

How would you describe the Rachel Pally design philosophy?
Easy, sexy, day-to-night, night-to-day, body conscious

“I started before there were any other brands using jersey for anything other than t-shirts, so I was offering a product that couldn’t be found elsewhere. And the collection has such a large range, women of all ages and sizes can find something that perfectly suits them.”

Where do you draw the inspiration for the styles and colors of your designs?
From women I know, women I see on the street, magazines, movies, travel – I am always inspired by things I see.

What would be some of your most popular garments you’ve ever designed?
The cropped gaucho pant, the sailor pant, the full tie tube dress, the Mexico dress, the caftan dress…..

To what do you attribute your success in the jersey arena?
I started before there were any other brands using jersey for anything other than t-shirts, so I was offering a product that couldn’t be found elsewhere. And the collection has such a large range, women of all ages and sizes can find something that perfectly suits them. And our fit is fantastic so people keep coming back for more! And I received a lot of celebrity press early on, which built the brand name, got me into magazines, and really launched the company.

What made Rachel Pally designs take off as a must-have brand, especially among celebrities?
The fit, the availability, the ease of wear…..and lots and lots of PR and gifting!

How does your experience in dance influence the Rachel Pally fashion line today?
Jersey has such beautiful drape and motion – having a body in there makes the clothes come to life. My dance background also makes me aware of women’s bodies – what does and doesn’t look good, where things should cling and where they should drape.

What should we expect to see at Rachel Pally in the upcoming season?
We just shipped our swim collection and we have cashmere and double-knit ponti coming out for fall. Just keeping it new and fresh every season!

Who are some of your favorite designers of all time?
Marni, Balenciaga, Donna Karan, Lanvin

How would you describe your own style?
Eclectic.

What’s next for Rachel Pally?
A vacation! And then….who knows!

Many thanks to Rachel for taking the time to interview for Style Interviews you can learn more about her designs and fashions at: www.rachelpally.com