Archive: Nary Manivong Interview

This interview was done back in May, in response to his Fall 2009 collections. There are some notes on Spring 2010 and what to expect. Nary is showing Spring 2010, on September 10th. Another designer on the rise.

I've been a fan of Nary Manivong and his collections for a few years now. The guy has got talent and he's a super cool and down to earth designer. Looks from his archive collections lend a hand to decades gone and prints that boast flirty, girly and fresh. Nary and I keep in touch often and he has been through a lot as a designer and as a person. He is a designer who deserves to make it big and judging on his recent collection, it looks like he may be heading that way. I mean, when you have someone like Fern Mallis in your corner, you have a strong chance. But, in this crazy world called fashion, you just never know. Here is a light interview with Nary Manivong. Lets call this a Diet Interview:

Kate: Hey Nary! Congrats on all of your success. You have some great things going on! First off, you showed an amazing collection for Fall 09. Tell me a bit about that experience.
Nary: Thank you! I thought this was my best collection by far. It was me, which was part of my inspiration as well as redefining the 80s in more of a classic and refreshing style. It showed through the collection. The entire collection was personal because I put a lot of time into it until it was showtime. I made a few changes the night before the show and everyone thought I was crazy! I said "No, we have to do it." At the end of the day you have to be happy with the result. And I was.

K: Have some stores picked up that collection? Where can people buy or view Fall 09?
N: There are some stores that are very interested in the Fall 09 collection, so there are ton of notes right now I'm reviewing. Also, I think due to the economy, stores are tight with their budget and are buying late. Henri Bendel was very excited about my collection (However, RIP clothing, its still an honor). Its also available for viewing on narymanivong.com and will soon be available on the e-boutique. ( Group shot is fall 2009.)


K: As a designer, you really have grown and people are getting to know your name. For instance, your Fall 09 presentation attracted Patrick McMullan, who did a great piece on NBC and also ran on Taxi TV. Was that your first major recognition?
N: No, my first major recognition was Women’s Wear Daily (WWD) in 2005. The piece with Patrick McMullan from the show was just more recognition for me as a young designer. It’s really great to have that and it’s something I appreciated a lot as well! Check it out here, where Nary talks about being homeless, his Fall 09 inspiration and a few words from Fern Mallis.

K: You’ve had a tumultuous career, and I say that openly because you talk about it often and I feel it really relates with your brand and also tells the story of who you are. Some people may not know the hurdles you have jumped, mind sharing some of them with us?
N: Both my personal and professional careers haven't been easy, but I didn't expect them to be. This design business isn’t easy and it’s a lot of work once you make it your own. I have gone through a few bad business partners that have just walked away from me. They didn’t believe my vision and wanted to control everything; from the way I designed to where the market should be. My advice is to stay true to who you are as a designer. If you are designing for someone else, don’t! Do it for you, and only you. You’ll get a lot of respect that way.

K: Over the past year, you have been the subject of the documentary Dressed. Tell me how that came about and what it was like being followed around and having your life journaled at every turn.
N: It came about from someone I know very well, who knows me and my background. She was doing a styling job for a commercial and the director, David Swajeski, was talking about doing a documentary and she happened to mention my story. Doing DRESSED was very emotional. It was almost like therapy on camera and I was aware that I was sharing my life with a lot of people. It’s great to look back and see how far I've come; the journey, the obstacle and the man I have become.

(K: To the left here is an ensemble from Spring 09, the time in which we currently live. Check out the Spring collection at www.narymanivong.com and click on eBoutique. I am eagerly awaiting my Abstract Dress!)


K: So, have you begun Spring 10? If so, can you indulge us with what we might see?
N: There’s a few stories that I’m working with for my Spring 2010 collection but I’m not sure what direction I’m going with just yet, that’s something the fans will have to wait and see. What you can expect to see are some of my signature pieces and more beautiful dresses. I’m adding menswear and more item pieces for womenswear.


K: Do you think you will ever show under the tents? Is that a goal of yours?
N: At some point in my career it would be an honor to show at the tents, but it’s not something I only think about doing . I’m more focused about growing the collection. The tents will always will be there.
K: Lets hope! The world has been turned upside down these days, you just never know.


K: Can you give us a fun fact that people don’t know about you? Leanne Marshall was interviewed here a couple of weeks ago, and she let us in on a little secret that when she ran out of underwear due to her hatred of doing laundry, she made her own. Can you top that?
N: Ha- ha! That’s too funny and I don’t think I could top that at all. I actually like doing laundry. For anyone who doesn’t know me, I would the say the fun fact would be that I am a twin. His name is Pila and he is currently living in Columbus, Ohio. During fashion week a lot of editors, models & fashion followers would freak out because they would see me through the entire designing process and when its showtime everyone is doing double takes because he was around. For instance, during the Fall 09 show I was giving the models pep talks and was pulled away for a minute to do an interview. At that time, Pila went backstage to look for me and everyone assumed it was me! After my interview I went backstage to talk to the models again and check to see if everything was okay, but the models freaked out because they were wondering how I changed so fast! I wish it had been on camera, it was so funny.


Nary also has been blogging and he's on Twitter @narymanivong. Make sure you keep your eyes out for his collections and check back here for future updates!

This Fashion Week I Vow To... Breathe.

I don't know why, but every fashion week I tend to get a little crazy. Schedule crazy that is. And it never fails that I end up exhausted, hungry, and in pain due to the fact that I have either stood in line waiting to get in to a show, or foregoing the subway and deciding to walk everywhere, in heels.

So, as I prepare for a busy week starting Thurs, I vow to take the time to breathe and go slow. I know, going slow and not rushing, isn't something that's easy during the hectic schedule many of us hold during this time, but I know that my body and my mind appreciate the TLC, and I will up being a lot more focused and can actually write better. And since I am a contributor for InsideTheTents.com, a more focused blog post might be much more appreciated than something all over the place.

I hope you all can do the same, because remember, Fashion Week is a blast! It's fun and exciting and there is just so much to see. I feel so lucky that I am able to take part in such a chain of events, not many people get to see this up close and personal.

Happy Fashion Week everyone, see ya around the tents!!

Is That Tea I Taste... In My Cupcake?

There are many uses of tea. The obvious one is drinking, but many people also use tea to reduce puffiness around the eyes, as a conditioner for your hair, and to even stop foot odor.

But a cupcake? Have you tasted a cupcake with tea leaves? Not until Ebony Wilson-Davis of Layers tackled that challenge. Layers is the first company to successfully infuse tea leaves into their frosting and cupcakes.

Layers Cupcakes, a Los Angeles based cupcake company, had already grown a fan base with their unique and yummy flavors such as Peanut Butter and Jelly, Blood Orange Mango Creamsicle and Honeymoon in Jamaica. People that tasted Layers were sure to come back for more. And they did. They are just that good. But Ebony Wilson-Davis, the baker, is always looking for a challenge and trying to create unheard of flavors. Working with tea leaves had crossed her mind several times, but until a very serendipitous moment to come, she didn't know where to begin.


In March, Ebony participated in the LA's Best Cupcake Challenge and wouldn't you know, the booth next to her was the company, Naja Tea. The rest, is history.

Layers came out with five flavors incorporating the Naja tea. Those were Mix and Mingle, Sassafras, Pink Passion, Tahiti, Allure, and Crimson Berry. And because Layers comes out with new flavors for every season, there will soon be more tea infused cupcakes, with even more interesting tastes for your taste buds. Think Egg Nog... mmmmmm.

You can ship Layers to your friends across the country, not a problem! To find out more about Layers and their shipping options, log onto www.layerscupcakes.com

Margo Petitti Scarves

Every so often I will get an email from an alumni, who read about Kick PR in the latest school publication, and they wonder if I will help them with their new product. Up until about two months ago, I turned people away because, as excited as I am to see schoolmates be creative, just because I went to school with you doesn't mean I can represent your line, especially when I don't like it. I don't mean to be harsh, really, but people trust me because I am honest.

I get an email from an old classmate who asked if he could put his sister -in- law in touch with me, because she has a new scarf line that needs some PR. I said of course, and thought no harm in having a conversation. Margo and I chatted on the phone for a while and then she said she was sending me samples; I could get an idea and see if the scarves were something Kick PR could stand behind.

I opened up the box and from the first moment I fell in love. "Yes! OMG! YES!" I said to myself, though everyone around me turned around, apparently I am louder than I think. When I tell you these scarves by Margo Petitti are fab, I am not lying, not one bit.

I have never seen patterns like this work: plaids, stripes, blues, pinks, patchwork. Its all so mismatched in a way that works like you wouldn't believe. There are scarves made with bamboo, silk, cashmere, and wool.


And the names are adorable. Lauren, Miss Kitty, Barbie and that's Francisco over there on the right. But don't be mistaken, these are no joke. Margo's scarves are all made by her, and she has gone that extra mile to make sure everything from the brand, to the hang-tags to the last stitch are perfect.


You can find her on Etsy and soon in some stores up and down the North East. I personally made a sales call last week, and the buyer nearly died. I am telling you, you want these scarves, and so do all of your friends. I promise.

Margo Petitti. Spread the word.

Go Ahead, Make Someone Cry...

Some of the best gifts I've been given, have had meaning or been tailored to my interests. My boyfriend is afraid to shop for me, which is fine because I don't feel like returning things, ha! No, seriously, he assumes that being in love with clothes and accessories, I would want more. But what touched me the most, was when he sent me in the mail, a mix CD with a photo of our favorite place as the cover. Done, he had me at "I Am The Luckiest" by Ben Folds Five.

And when I was moving out of NY, a friend of mine handed me a little pot, which in turn would grow into a 4 leaf clover for good luck. It nearly had me in tears, because I needed some luck and also, someone actually had faith in me that I could take care of a plant.

So, when Kirsten Goede of Objets d'Envy came out with her very sweet and delicate Initial Birthstone Necklaces for $44 ( !!!) I listed five people I wanted to buy this for. With the initial of your choice hand-stamped on the disc and paired with the birthstone of choice, its an everlasting gift. Its not a big necklace, and it can be layered with others, or simply worn as is.

Sure, there are a few companies that offer initial necklaces, but really now, who has $150 + to spend on that? Not me, and not many people I know. So, as holidays are creeping up, or if you feel like someone special in your life deserves something special, look no further than this collection. Maybe you will make someone cry, tears of joy, obviously. Don't be mean.

#NYFW

I know its just mid August, but I have been feeling Fashion Week creep up and I am over the moon excited, like I am every season.

I have joined InsideTheTents.com, and plan to chime in on the shows I attend ;what I see and hear in and around the tents. Kick PR also has the amazing opportunity to work again with Leanne Marshall for her runway show this season- (If you are an editor and would like an invite, you may email me at kate@kickpr.com).

One of the greatest things about last season, was the amount of fashionistas that were inside the tents reporting back via twitter. I think it was @cutblog where I heard about all of those nasty falls on the runway and some of the crazy getups that we often see out an about.

I would love to know what shows you think I should attend, whether or not they are in the tents or not. I want to report on hidden gems and the underdogs of fashion, so bring it on!

Penny for your Thoughts?

I love this Penny Collection from Tashka by Beatrice. She came out with a similar version last year and this past month has totally revised it, and I just love it. There are a few pieces that make up the collection including necklaces, earrings, a ring, a key chain and bracelets. But my favorite is the simple penny chain and also the chunky charm bracelet seen above.

I have never been one to wear girly jewelry, and this charm bracelet has a hint of masculine which really lends a hand to the style I prefer. Also cool? The fact that you can choose the year on the penny. Same with the ring I featured a while back. Soon to be available at www.tashkabybeatrice.com.