Back In The Studio With Whitney Pozgay
Photos by Bridget Badore for The Assemblist
"I AM AN "EAT, DRINK, BE MERRY" PERSON.” WHITNEY POZGAY SHARED WITH US IN OUR INTERVIEW BELOW.
"Taking the time to enjoy the moment is really important to me, even though it is a struggle when we are so bogged down with work.” Though if you ask us, it’s hard to find any hint of “struggle” when speaking with this truly talented designer. In fact, her pieces embody a sense of whimsy, without compromising wearability. We saw it last season while backstage at her SS16 presentation, and we are happy to say that we still see it now, perhaps more than ever.
In our partnership with The Style Line, we wanted to catch up with Whitney, who kindly made some time in her schedule even while in the midst of her look-book shoot, market appointments and the odds and ends that every contemporary designer is faced with. We were lucky to spend an afternoon in her new studio and further chat about what she’s got coming up for the year ahead. Check out the full interview below and head over to The Style Line for an exclusive second part of our studio visit!
PLEASE REINTRODUCE YOURSELF!
I'm always on the look out for more creative fuel, so in our limited free time I try to go to galleries, museums, shows and movies as much as possible. I am an "eat, drink, be merry" person. Taking the time to enjoy the moment is really important to me, even though it is a struggle when we are so bogged down with work. Luckily in Brooklyn, we are able to indulge in so many great restaurants, and lately I have gotten into cooking. I love spending time with friends and family and exchanging ideas. One of the joys of owning my own business has been being able to collaborate with so many of our friends.
WE LOVE HOW MUCH ART INSPIRES YOUR APPROACH TO DESIGN. CAN YOU GIVE US A HINT ON ANY OF THE ARTISTS YOU’RE COLLABORATING WITH THIS YEAR? DO YOU HAVE ANY ADVICE FOR ARTISTS LOOKING TO BREAK INTO THE FASHION INDUSTRY AND VICE-VERSA?
For fall we worked with Jason Bereswill on our florals and we are starting to work on next season, so stay tuned! We find the collaborators everywhere. Adam Handler we found just by going to his gallery show and Ping Zoo we found through Instagram. If you are an artist who is looking, I would just start sending samples of your work to designers you want to work with.
WHAT COMES FIRST, DESIGN OR BUSINESS, AND WHEN DO YOU KNOW TO PRIORITIZE BETWEEN THE TWO?
I sort of have to do both simultaneously, but it is really important for me to set time aside strictly for creative, especially when starting a new season.
SINCE THE BRAND’S INCEPTION CAN YOU THINK OF ANY ONE DESIGN MILESTONE THAT’S REALLY CAPTURED THE ESSENCE OF WHAT YOU’RE TRYING TO DO AS DESIGNER?
I think Spring 2015 when we curated a gallery and did our presentation in between the art work.
AS A FASHION DESIGNER DO YOU EVER FIND YOUR OWN SENSE OF STYLE GETTING LOST IN THE MIX?
There is always going to be a touch of my own personal style in the collection, but I have become much more interested in how other people are going to add their personal touch to our line rather than my own. I’m dressing more and more in uniforms these days and saving my creative energy for the collection. I am very inspired and excited by how different women decide to personalize their items. Few things make me happier than seeing a WHIT item out on the street worn in a way I hadn’t even thought of.
WHAT DO YOU ASSEMBLE DAILY?
A positive outlook!
CHECK OUT BEHIND-THE-SCENES AND MORE FROM OUR STUDIO VISITS IN REAL TIME ON SOCIAL MEDIA @BRANDASSEMBLY AND JOIN THE CONVERSATION WITH US IN THE COMMENTS BELOW!