Through the concrete and brick columned hall of the CFDA Incubator, past glass doors with names like Bibhu Mohapatra, House of Waris and Prabal Gurung etched upon them, sits a room on the end that houses the studio of a French expat with a beautiful concept. Alice Ritter works seemingly solitary in a tidy, brightly lit room with a towering cubic bookshelf, a sewing machine and inspiration all around. Her style rings from the authenticity of growing up in the late 70s in France, where Yves Saint Laurent was god and high power glossies were sacred. Having studied economics, she created a fashion lab within her home with her Brooklynite husband to pursue her true art of design. Poring over books and dissecting vintage clothing lead to her creating an aesthetic that is uniquely hers. 

What are your three fashion books you recommend to an aspiring fashion designer?

Oh! This Madeleine Vionnet book I’ve had for a long time, I know it by heart.  Madeleine Vionnet is such an inspiration. It was just so modern what she did, and she invented a new way to drape fabric and to drape the woman’s body. She not as famous as Gabrielle Chanel or Christian Dior. I mean she’s famous amongst fashion people and she’s more influential for me.

This Balenciaga book is beautiful not just because I’m fascinated with Balenciaga, but the book its self is just a beautiful object, the way its printed, paper. Its really good. He was very forward thinking  He was like a sculptor almost.

Fashion Design 1850-1895 is a good one. It’s a classic. It’s a very well curated collection of clothes, and their details. It’s an endless source of inspiration. And a really good way to learn about costume and this sort of fashion.

To read the rest of the interview, click on over to LOOKBOOKS.com!

The Council of Fashion Designers of America and New York City Economic Development Corporation have tapped 12 designers (Alice Ritter, Bibhu Mohapatra, Prabal Gurung, Sophie Theallet, Rachel Dooley with Gemma Redux, Grant Krajecki of Grey Ant, Waris Ahluwalia of House of Waris, Joel Diaz with Jolibe, Alison Lewis of Lewis, Dao-Yi Chow and Maxwell Osborne of Public School, Yuvi Alpert and Danna Kobo of Ruby Kobo, Justin Giunta of Subversive Jewelry) as the first tenants of the CFDA Fashion Incubator.

LINK LOVE: Fashionista

Despite the rain and wind (that flipped my umbrella up four times), the atmosphere inside The Bubble Lounge was quite pleasant. The dimmed lights and color scheme really gave it a French vibe, which made Alice Ritter’s collection even more beautiful. I got the pleasure of talking to Alice Ritter after a quick showing of her latest collection. As I walked towards her, I could see her beaming smile from across the room. She told me she was “very happy, glad, and excited” and that this was “an incredible day.“ As we talked about the collection, she noted that her inspirations come from her background. “My inspirations come from music, movies and art- mostlyFrench, because I am French!”. A smile never left Ritters’ face, “I love owning my own business. This job allows me to do all that I want, I can put every thing I love into one thing, and that thing is Fashion.” Her words of advice to upcoming designers, “Always follow your heart , your dreams… it is the only way!” Thanks Alice! You Rock.. in your leather jacket (so cute).

Check out the rest of the photos on flickr.

Heading off and Happy Fashion Week Everyone!!!