Mandy Coon has the innate ability to mix things that are cute (bunnies) and things that are badass (leather) with ease. From diaphanous dresses to body-conscious jumpsuits, Mandy Coon knows what a woman wants. The eloquent and meticulously organized Texan invited me into her studio to get a peek at the behind-the-scenes life of her young fashion brand. Let me tell you, it's quite amazing. What was the inspiration for you to start your own label? I always wanted to do it, but I was unsure of myself for a long time. Growing up in Texas being a fashion designer wasn’t a thing you could be. I went to college for computer science, if that gives you any idea. Then I ended up in the fashion industry and knew I wanted to design, but I was kind of unsure of myself, so I went back to school at FIT and learned everything technical I could possibly learn. Afterwards I started working for Camilla Staerk, and I knew I wanted to start my own thing, but I was being hesitant. Camilla was the one who really pushed me to start. She was like, “You’re ready. You’re going to do this.” Her believing in me that much was what pushed me to actually do it.

• By Steff Yotka
  Feb 6, 2012

In honor of Valentine's Day we are bringing you a special How I'm Making It, with Mayaan Zilberman and Nikki Dekker of hit lingerie brand, The Lake & Stars. After winning an Ecco Domani fashion fund award in 201, The Lake & Stars was named as one of the brands in the new CFDA incubator, but turned down the opportunity. They are unquestionably the next big thing in lingerie, and I, for one, couldn't be happier: The brand provides intimates that a woman would actually want to wear, instead of the strange lacy contraptions and clichés that have become the norm. I caught up with Mayaan and Nikki via email since Mayaan had just broken her leg, to chat about their mother and daughter campaign, what they're doing for Valentine's Day, and the video game (!) they are coming out with.

• By Steff Yotka
  Feb 14, 2012

Walking into Love, Adorned, a jewelry and lifestyle shop on Elizabeth Street in New York, is like walking into a wonderland of incredible, unique, and truly lovely items. From selling one-of-a-kind antique jewelry to luxurious candles to handwoven rugs, Love, Adorned almost defies categorization. Just about every New Yorker I know is head over tails for this shop, including myself, so I had to meet the woman behind the magic, Lori Leven. What I found out was that Lori is just as wonderful and insightful as her store. Immediately I got feeling that Love, Adorned isn't just her job, it's her love project. You'll definitely want to hear how Lori Leven is "making it."

• By Steff Yotka
  Mar 16, 2012

SUNO, designed by filmmaker Max Osterweis and industry vet Erin Beatty, is one of the buzzier brands to emerge over the past year and a half. Launched as a way for Osterweis to utilize his collection of African textiles, the label has garnered an impressive following, from Vogue to Michelle Williams. But for young brands, demand doesn't always mean dollars. Osterweis and Beatty chatted with me about how they're building SUNO without getting too big, too fast. How did SUNO come to be? Max: The collection started with East African textiles that I had been collecting for years. I started the line because I wanted to start a business in Kenya at the end of 2007, beginning of 2008. For years I had been promising friends that I'd make dresses and skirts out of the fabrics, so I figured that this would be a good way to do that. Erin: We were friends for about a year beforehand, and then Max had the idea and was looking for designers. That's kind of the way it happened. I thought it was a bit crazy at first, but he convinced me.

• By Lauren Sherman
  Jul 27, 2010