The Standard

Le Bain presents DFA Records New Year’s Eve Party at The Standard. Featuring DJ sets by Holy Ghost!, Jacques Renault, Tim Sweeney and Justin Miller, this is bound to be sold out very soon, so buy your tickets here quickly. If a little Blondie strikes your fancy, head up to the top of The Standard for a black tie affair.

You come from an eclectic, non-traditional family of artists. What type of art did you grow up around?
My grandfather revolutionized the interior design industry. He was one of the first people to bring colored wallpaper to California during the late 1960s and 70s. My cousin was in the music industry and has written songs for Whitney Houston. My grandmother was an illustrator, my mom’s first cousin’s husband is a well-known sculptor and she is an amazing painter who began her craft at 50 years old. Hillary Clinton asked her to paint a portrait of Chelsea when they were in the White House. My entire family gets together in Ojai, CA for Thanksgiving, and it’s like Woodstock revisited – with all these artists together, it’s the best energy and love you could ask for.

So you were very encouraged as a child to follow your dreams and do whatever your heart desired?
Both of my parents are entrepreneurs, so it makes sense that my brother, sister and I are independent. I wouldn’t say art was pushed on us, but we went towards it naturally. I spent most of my early days as a soccer player, competing on the early Olympic Development Team and in college as well. But somewhere in college, I decided I wanted to do something creative. I thought maybe I didn’t have the art gene, but suddenly, it’s all I wanted to do. I went back to school to study interior design at Parsons and took milliner classes at FIT. I secured an interior design job working with Bill Sofield, where I worked on everything from high-end residential to Tom Ford stores to the SoHo and Tribeca Grand hotels.

Interior design can be a very mathematical and structural craft. How did working in that industry influence your millinery?
I always say I make structurally interesting hats. Because I worked for an interior/architecture firm, I consider proportion, scale and how things move and look. I have the mind of an interior designer and the advantage of having worked with different materials. Unlike many designers perfecting their craft in the fashion industry, I came from people working with wood and ceramic. I am always asking how can I take these materials and techniques and construct them into something else, something new. That is my challenge, working with non-traditional materials.

Hats are almost becoming a lost dressing art. What made you want to go into the millinery business? Was it a lack of good product in the industry?
My aunt was a fashion designer in California and was always putting us kids in the fun hats she was making. Apparently, my great-grandmother was also a milliner in New York. My husband used to go to a milliner in the East Village, who we loved. I wanted to figure out how a milliner worked, so I asked if I could apprentice her, an unpaid position. Unfortunately, she rudely said no. It was very discouraging, but it motivated me to learn the trade and prove her wrong.

It came to the point where I was working long hours at the firm and was constantly stressed out. I asked myself “if I only had six months to live, would I be doing what I am doing now?” And I thought, “no, I would be working on my own. “ I looked down, saw all these hats I made and realized how much I loved making them. Selling hats to friends turned into selling them online. I just began selling at Charles Nolan, ABC Carpet & Home and will be in Treasure & Bond in the fall. But my big goal is Bendels.

Where does your inspiration come from on a daily basis? Do nature and people inspire you? What about the architecture of the city?
It’s so random. My husband and I travel a lot, and I spent a lot of time photographing anything I find interesting. I often find myself searching for things I photographed more than fives years ago and is relevant to my current project. I could be walking down the street, see something and think it would make a terrific structure or a cool color combination. People must think I’m a tourist because I walk the city with my head up. I see plants and flower arrangements and examine the proportion compared to the vase. I don’t make many large hats; I try to take the idea of a big hat and make it more me. I just styled women for the Frederick Olmsted Awards at Central Park and the Kentucky Derby with small fascinators and headpieces. I think small is the new big – fascinators are really in this season.

In the future, is there any other type of art you want to explore? What else could you design that the Satya woman would love?
I am a huge fan of dresses with pockets. Charles Nolan and I began our friendship over it – he always made them and I always love them. So I think next year, there might be a collection of vintage-inspired dresses and smoking jackets for women. I strangely like uniforms. Like the cartoon Daria, I work towards wearing the same thing every day. I want the same dress in a dozen colors and patterns to wear with black tights, black shoes and a jacket. I don’t like to think hard about what I’m going to wear. Comfortable, beautiful and chic is my motto. That is the Satya woman.

You can see more photos of Satya’s work and read her blog on her website.

My girl Lindsay Luv has been busy lately! She was recently featured on the BlackBook Magazine website, and also DJed their last event on Wednesday. Her interview is amazing! They talk about everything from her inspiration as a DJ to where you can find her in NYC. Be sure to check out the full interview at BlackBook.com, and don’t forget to come see Lindsay DJ at the Soho Grand Hotel every other Thursday!

Work was not easy on Friday after we all partied the night away at the Soho Grand Hotel the night before. If you weren’t aware, Fashion Indie co hosts a party every Thursday night at the hotel that’s organized by Niko Liakaris. We’re also lucky enough to team up with DJ Lindsay Luv, Jon Daly, Gabi Richmond and Against Nature as well.

This week we had a few special guests from CFE (Centre for Fashion Enterprise) and guest DJ Allan Bendy, along with Kate Lanphear and some friends from NYLON magazine all in attendance. Belvedere was kind enough to provide the party with way more than enough vodka, and like all of Niko’s parties, we didn’t let any of that go to waste.

Thanks to all of you who made it out this week, and for those of you who couldn’t make it, hopefully we’ll see you next time. I also want to thank Mike Mabes for these amazing photos!

Fashion’s Night Out was no match for the usual Thursday night routine that has been picking up steam week after week. Thursdays at the Soho Grand Hotel hosted by Niko Liakaris, Jon Daly, Gabi Richmond, and yours truly Fashion Indie welcomed an even bigger crowd than normal this week! However, this week was a cause to celebrate, as it was the after party for the opening of a brand new boutique Against Nature. Keep your eye out for this week’s flyer in the next couple days, it will definitely be a great way to end your Fashion Week.

Gallery: LAST WEEKS PARTY:Thursdays @ Soho Grand

Thank you to Adam Perella for providing us with all these amazing shots from the party! Be sure to check out more of his work on his website!

GALLERY: LAST NIGHT’S PARTY: Thursday’s At Soho Grand

Check out more from Katya Moorman here!

Big name actor Josh Hartnett was spotted weaving his way through the crowd to the bar at the Soho Grand last night. Like every Thursday night, the Soho Grand was the place to be as some New York’s trendiest turned up to enjoy some amazing drinks and even better music from DJ’s Lindsay Luv and Jamie Biden.

It seems that the hosting skills of Niko Liakaris, Jon Daly, Fashion Indie and Fresh Productions NYC are top notch, because another notable character by the name of Grace Jones was spotted enjoying the scenery as well. While Grace was chatting up the room feeling right in her element, Hartnett took a view of the room for a corner seat the bar to enjoy his drink.

After a long weekend of vodka infused fun, I finally have a second to relax and recap what happened in my head. If you don’t know by now, Fashion Indie has taken a fondness to a certain Thursday night party that is shaping up to be one of the trendiest parties in this city. Thursdays @ Soho Grand is a new party hosted by Niko Liakaris, Jon Daly, Brandon Bogard, and Gabi Richmond at (duh!) the Soho Grand Hotel every (duh! again) Thursday.

This week featured some amazing photography from the super talented (and newly aquianted) Katya Moorman of Style Defined. There were some very fashionable folks in the crowd too, just check the gallery! Want to join the party? Check Fashion Indie later this week for details on how you can come join the most fashionable party in NYC!

Gallery: LAST WEEK(ENDS) PARTY: Thursdays Never Looked So Good!

The newest, trendiest party in NYC is at the Soho Grand Bar every Thursday night, so clear your schedules for tomorrow night and come enjoy some cocktails with NYC’s most fashionable. DJ Lindsay Luv will be on the decks alongside Jamie Biden to set the mood. Be sure to dress your best, as Katya Moorman will be floating around grabbing pictures for her site Styledefinednyc.com.

Be sure to check out the flyer for all the details!

RSVP