Adam Lippes is not only one of Oprah's most coveted, winning one of the queen of media's Real World Style Awards, he is also one of the youngest designers to have held the position of Global Creative Director for Oscar de la Renta. The 38-year-old designer has accomplished so much since his departure from Cornell including being inducted into the CFDA, collaborating with global brand Mango, and building ADAM into a line carried by over  250 store in 10 countries around the world. We sat down with the designer to chat about life, future plans, and and the possibility of an upcoming reality show.

What were your inspirations for the Fall 2010 collection?

I walked into a friends apartment here in NYC for dinner and she had this painting, it was all black, and it was a parachutist floating through the sky and it's by an artist called Isca Greenfield Sanders. And she does these amazing plays with color and texture and movement. And these huge pictures. And this was black on black, but it had so much translucency to it and so much feeling to it and so much depth, and then again texture. And it inspired me so I looked her up. And that was the starting off point. The collection maybe become a little aviator from that, but just a little I think, it was more about volume and  movement and texture and color.

[caption id="attachment_93354" align="aligncenter" width="429" caption="Isca Greenfield-Sanders"][/caption]

If you had to choose one look from the collection that you would consider your favorite, which would it be?

[caption id="attachment_91134" align="aligncenter" width="367" caption="The Red Cable Knit Dress and Skirt"][/caption]

Collaborations are playing a major part in how designers build and redefine their aesthetic. If you have to pick one designer to  collaborate with who would it be?

Dries Van Noten. For what I want to do I think I could learn the most from him, so I wouldn't mind even interning in his studio!

You've already worked on a capsule collection with Spanish brand Mango. What are your next projects?

We are working on a ton of projects. We are looking to open up more stores right now. We are expanding internationally. We are going to be announcing a new line we're doing with a retailer, can't say anything about. I just shot a pilot for a TV show, we'll see what happens with that, but focusing, focusing, focusing on the clothes.

You're clothing collection has been greatly received. When can we expect more accessories?

We are doing bags for the stores, our own stores, shoes is really a big undertaking. A lot of young designers are doing everything at once and we are really focusing more and more on who we are, and what we are and what our customer is and I feel that every season we're getting more refined on the clothing.

Best moment from your career so far?

In my fashion career the best moment I've had is when Oprah called me, in the office, and subsequently when I was on her show.

What is your typical day like?

We start work around ten, which is nice, about 70% of my day is spent on design and the rest is split with press and problems.

Any advice for up & coming designers?

Start small is really important. Focus on one thing and do it well and then start adding around it. I think it's hard for young designers now cause they see a lot of really young designers just explode and they do everything at once. And those are very specific cases, and a lot of those people come from very wealthy families that can finance. Fashion is very expensive. Go to school, get experience on the job and be distinctive, have a voice.

For more on Adam Lippes, or to shop his amazing collection, visit ShopAdam.com