By Abigail Bruley  |  Send to Friend

New York Designer Samantha Pleet is known for her simple lines and expert tailoring and her adorable, yet sophisticated rompers. She is also a very busy woman. Just this year she had her first pop-up store in LA, got married and started a menswear line with her new hubby, traveled the world and started a blog. Somehow we were able to catch up with the cult designer to talk style in the new year.

 

two.one.five: How would you describe your personal style? Is your clothing line completely reminiscent of it?

sp: I view my line as an extension of myself. My ideas come from extensions of my personal style..  They also come from the influence of
friends, books, music, history, and culture.  All of these ideas influence my clothing.  My look is a combination of grunge, French new wave, and Oliver Twist.


 two.one.five:    After getting married, traveling the world and opening your first pop-up store, what on earth could be in store for you in '09?

sp: This has been a whirlwind of a year! I love working on new projects all the time. I continue to design Rapscallion the line I created exclusively for Urban Outfitters and Patrick Pleet, a small men's line I design with my Husband Patrick. Right now I am concentrating on Fall 09, which is going to be great!

two.one.five:  What place inspired you the most in your travels and why?
sp: The most amazing place I have traveled to so far has been Scandinavia.  I was there 5 years ago and am still inspired whenever I think about that trip.  It was a summer long adventure Starting in Sweden, and the island of Gotland where their happened to be a medieval festival (very different than a renaissance fair) and then on to Copenhagen and some Danish islands, then to Bergen and the fiords of Norway where we think we may have seen some gnomes.

 two.one.five:    Having spent time on both coasts, what do you think is the major difference between east and west coast cities fashion-wise?

sp: LA is not a pedestrian city like New York or Paris.  People can walk around in sweatpants, I even saw a normal looking guy wearing a footed onesie and sandals.  They really dress up in the evenings and heals are wearable their because they don't have to walk.   New Yorkers wear clothes they can wear from day to evening.

 two.one.five: What are your favorite designers or labels?
sp: Viviane Westwood, Betsey Johnson, Clare McCardelI, and Chanel are my designer role models. I also love clothes by my contemporaries like Alison Lewis, Mocun, Burfitt, Rachel Antonoff, Rebecca Turbow, Covet, Pamela Love, Dirty Librarian Chains, and Bodkin, the line I started with Eviana Hartman and she is designing it all by herself for Fall 09, its going to be great.


two.one.five:     What items do you think everyone should splurge on?

sp: Amazing shoes are a must; every year I buy a good pair of boots.  If you have amazing shoes you feel a lot better about any outfit.
I also think everyone should spend money on clothes locally made by local designers, not only are the clothes always adorable, it really helps to support the local economy.