Was the business side challenging?
It still is. I’ve had some amazing mentors and it doesn’t come naturally to me, though I understand it. But if you don’t pay attention to business it’ll take you out. I just came from an acocountant meeting.

You branched out into a larger collection in fall 2010, why?
I was just ready. I’m a stylist, so I wanted a whole brand. I wanted to give the cloaks pieces. I had more to say.

Where do you draw inspiration?
Everything. I think it’s about directing it. You’ve got to pick a theme and build around that theme. I get inspiration from travel, a leaf, a conversation, a shade of red. We build mood boards.

Who are your muses?
Spencer Peterson, Martha Hunt, Chase Cole. I have lots of muses. Meryl Smith, a local artist.

Do you follow fashion closely?
No. I’ll look at a few collections from Paris. Obviously I checked out what Hedi Slimane did for Saint Laurent, but for me it’s a responsibility as a designer not to get too involved in other people’s work. I mean I like The Row, Alexander McQueen.

What do you wear?
Me. And BLK Denim, because I did consulting work with them and they fit amazing. I am really into jewelry. All my friends are amazing jewelers. Anna Sheffield is amazing and my best friend. Bliss Lau is on another level. Suzannah Wainhouse is amazing.

Would you ever expand to accessories?
Maybe just shoes. I would want to be a cobbler though and study reflexology and do it really well. But that would be far off!

Where do you see yourself in a few years?
Out of my store basement! The possibilities are infinite. The journey has been amazing thus far, so I can’t wait to see where else our hard work leads.