FashionIndie » Chrissie Miller

INTERVIEW: Chrissie Miller Of Sophmore

Alex Kazemi — Wed, 30 Jun 2010 21:06:39 +0000

Chrissie Miller’s company SOPHOMORE caught the public’s eye with a single t-shirt design in 2003. She initially planned to make shirts exclusively for her friends, but the overnight success of her design and the attention SOPHOMORE received from celebrities, retailers and the press inspired Miller to think big. And I got a chance to pick her brain.

Alex Kazemi: Tell me 3 things that people don’t know about you?

Chrissie Miller:

1) I watch Oprah religiously

2) I never went to school for fashion

3) I’m scared of mice.

Kazemi: Name 3 of your favorite designers at the moment and why

Chrissie:

1) Sophomore- Duh

2) Opening Ceremony- The only new stuff I buy is from them.

3) Proenza Schouler,- It’s what I would buy if I was rich.

Kazemi: If you weren’t a designer what career would you be pursuing right now?

Chrissie: I want to make movies. And I will one day!

Kazemi:What was your life like growing up in the Upper East Side… You seem to compare your lifestyle similar to teenage Lil J from “Gossip Girl”.. Why is that?

Chrissie: I went to an all girls school on the Upper East Side will all rich kids. I was the only poor one (kinda like Jenny.) I loved and hated it. I loved the all boy schools and hung out with boys mostly. I hated all the rich kids, they were nerds.

Kazemi: What was your experience like at Suny Purchase? What did you study?

Chrissie: It’s SUNY Purchase! I LOVED college. I high recommend going away to a school. It was an art school, so I learned about art, film and just everything I wanted to know about.

Kazemi: How did Sophomore first get started? Was being a designer something you always wanted to do?

Chrissie: I definitely never thought about being a designer, but I was really into silkscreen so I was always making graphic t-shirts. It’s funny that what you do for a living can sometimes be something you have been doing all along and not realizing you can make money off it.

Kazemi: What has been your favorite collection so far? How do you differentiate each of your looks?

Chrissie: I think I love the basics we do every season. Its such a nice feeling that I can wear something we’ve made everyday!

Kazemi: Can you give me any insight on the unreleased F/W 2010 collection?

Chrissie: Fall 10 is a BIG collection for us, we did lots of different groups/stories. It was an experiment for us to see what the buyers responded to the best. We have this really great lose fitting caftan dress. All of our stuff is cotton, so it’s nice to make something that looks dressy but super comfortable.

Kazemi: What type of thing’s were your eye of inspiration while designing your Spring Summer 2010 collection?

Chrissie: I have looking at beachwear in other countries. Lots of island wear. Faded earth tones mixed with bright colors.

Kazemi: You recently collaborated on a look book film with Cass bird dealing with all thing’s youth .. What was that experience like? Do you think there could be a sequel to the film in the future?

Chrissie: Cass Bird shoots all of our lookbooks. It’s an on going collaboration that we will continue making. We are planning another video for Fall, but this one will be very different.

Kazemi: Who are the most played artists on your iPod?

Chrissie: The Virgins, Neil Young and Jay-Z

Kazemi: If I were to find you anywhere in NYC where would it be?

Chrissie: At home!

INTERVIEW: Chrissie Miller of SOPHOMORE

Lucas Logan, L.A. Correspondent — Wed, 13 Jan 2010 23:19:26 +0000

Chrissie miller brings 70’s back to the future with her line SOPHOMORE. Based in NYC, NY. Chrissie first caught the public eye with one shirt design in 2003 and now has her line located in stores all across North America.

The best thing about this line is that she gives it a simple but not so simple touch to it that is really hard to pull off. Coming from me, i like to wear anything but simple, but with Chrissie’s line i can actually find something i would be more than happy to wear. What I’m trying to say is that SOPHOMORE is definitely a line to watch as well as the girl behind it all Chrissie Miller.

Check out my talk with Chrissie Miller:

LL: You obviously dig the New York style, but is there another city style you love as well?

CM: Paris wound be my next choice for sure, so chic! I love to visit LA as well, the vintage is amazing there!

LL: I really like the leather involved in your fall collection, a little more edgy then your previous collections wouldn’t you say?

CM: Every seacon we add a new fabric group, last Fall it was leather, Spring 10 we did Oxford. We like to add something special each season.The leather was awesome!

LL: What made you want to skip a grade and call your line SOPHOMORE? Do you have a problem with FRESHMEN?

CM: We had been looking for a name that was collegiate sounding. And when we looked up the word Sophomore in the dictionary, the Etymology of the word is “wise fool”. It was a perfect fit.

LL: If you could collaborate with any other designer to put together the ultimate line, who would it be?

CM: I would love to do some denim someday, maybe Levis or Cheep Mondays?

LL: What type of clothing is in the future for SOPHOMORE?

CM: We are a fashion basic’s line so I want to continue making styles that work in different colors and fabrics. Dont you hate when you find that perfect t-shirt and the company only makes it for one season!?

Pictures 2,3,5, and 6 are video stills of SOPHOMORE’s new spring video.

Check out Chrissie Miller on twitter!

LAST NIGHT Men Style.com Party at Lit

Saynt — Fri, 12 Jun 2009 16:22:46 +0000

Erik Foss in front of his sticker wall at his bar Lit Lounge, New York. Photo Caroline Gaimari

Cassie Coane and Harley Viera-Newton DJing at Lit Lounge, New York. Photo Caroline Gaimari

Dree Hemingway and Mel Ottenberg at Lit Lounge, New York. Photo Caroline Gaimari

Charlotte Ronson and Chrissie Miller on 2nd Avenue, New York. Photo Caroline Gaimari

SOURCE: Purple Magazine

Sophomore: Spring 2009 Collection

Corey Moran — Mon, 23 Mar 2009 19:05:21 +0000

I don’t know many people who don’t love Sophomore, and the latest Spring collection only adds to my love for them. Why might you ask? Because they never try to be anything they aren’t. Chrissie Miller should be an inspiration to the many out there looking to get into designing. Design what you know, and Chrissie knows Lower East Side fashion. Her casual, comfy, “basics with an added touch” looks are perfect for anyone. I’m a fan, how about you? Check out the Sophomore website for more.

Gallery: Sophomore: Spring 2009 Collection

First Look: Sophomore SS09 Collection

Corey Moran — Tue, 16 Dec 2008 15:55:12 +0000

Sophomore has released images of their upcoming Spring 2009 collection, and they have more or less sparked a longing for Spring/Summer in me already. The collection is exactly what I think about when I think of Spring. The photoshoot seems less of something planned out and coordinated, and more like friends just hanging out having a good time. Oh, and is that Cory Kennedy I see in there? Of course it is! Loves it! Chrissie Miller impresses me yet again. Excited to see the collection come Spring! Check out the slideshow for more pictures, and the Sophomore website for more details on the collection.

Find more photos like this on Fashion Indie

Interviews Of Fashion: Chrissie Miller

Corey Moran — Fri, 24 Oct 2008 14:23:36 +0000

Back in 2003, Chrissie Miller started her now infamous NYC brand Sophomore. Since then the company has sky rocketed, and has become the object of many fashionistas and fashionistos across the city. The lucky folks over at Happy People Don’t Complain recently got a chance to sit down and chat with Miss. Miller. Here is a little sample of what Chrissie had to say.

HPDC: Tell us a little bit about the early days of Sophomore - how did you get things started?
Chrissie: I made some shirts for some friends and my friend Charlotte Ronson sold them at her store. A friend of mine wrote about them and we got lots of store orders, so it became a job. Last year I wanted to expand the line in to a full sportswear collection. I metMadeleine von Froomer, who was designing at Proenza Schooler at the time. She was a perfect fit.
HPDC: How did you get your label off the ground?
Chrissie: It was very organic, we expanded as we grew. We stared with one t-shirt and as we sold them we made more and more and so on…
HPDC: When did you realize you wanted to become a fashion designer?
Chrissie: I’ve always had a passion for fashion! It was something I was always doing but not really realizing i was doing it, sewing clothes remixing vintage dresses, making t-shirts. I think it found me.

The interview is definitely one to check out if you’re a Sophomore fan. For the rest of the interview head over to Happy People Don’t Complain, or just click here!

I Know Where You Live: Chrissie Miller

Corey Moran — Fri, 26 Sep 2008 11:00:21 +0000

Take a journey into the awesomness that is Chrissie Miller’s New York City apartment. Chrissie is the magic behind the label Sophmore. Her place is so cool. I loke the lockers! Be sure to check out all the pictures they are so rad!

Thanks to The Selby for the amazing pics!