Ten Minutes with Prizy Sebastian

Prizy Sebastian thought she wanted to be an accountant when she grew up. Lucky for us, she ditched her ledgers in favor of handcrafting architecturally romantic designs for her eponymous line Prizy Sebastian Design. Calling to mind couturiers of old, luxe fabrics in jewelbox colors are pintucked, pleated, and draped into red carpet-worthy gowns and singular separates, like a slightly asymmetrical bias-cut skirt matched with a pleated, clavicle framing jacket. Her strong silhouettes remind me of something a young Katherine Hepburn might have worn leavened with 21st-century edginess. Here’s the designer musing on the art of fashion.

Oligoville: Tell us about your brand and how it is different from your competition.

Prizy Sebastian: I started my line, Prizy Sebastian, because I always wanted to be a dress designer. My brand is about offering beautiful, timeless dresses made with traditional dressmaking techniques, infused with color, and using fine, natural fabrics. All my work has high-end construction and great attention to detail. My line is different from competitors because it reflects my own vision and while I watch the trends, my clothes are not meant to be trendy.

Oligoville: How did your career or interest in design begin?

Prizy: The earliest I remember being interested in design was in middle school. Growing up in Texas, I was extremely thin and had a hard time finding clothes that fit and looked good on me. I started getting subscriptions to fashion magazines and dreamed of  having those beautiful clothes.

I never imagined pursuing design as a career until my third year in college. I was struggling through accounting courses and attempting to follow a “secure job” path. I was given an assignment to interview a successful accountant, and during the interview, I kept imagining designing dresses. I realized then that I was never going to be an accountant.

Oligoville: What’s your design inspiration?

Prizy: Valentino has been a really big inspiration for me. I love that his clothes follow the feminine form, have a consistency that inspires loyalty, and truly make a woman look beautiful. I love making gowns–though they aren’t so practical–the artistry of it really inspires me. Red is also a favorite color of mine, though I prefer a blue-red as opposed to the Valentino red.

I also love Madame Gres because of the pin-tucks and pleats that add depth and dimension to her dresses.  I enjoy playing with the fabric and adding detail using construction techniques rather than through too much surface ornamentation.

I take inspiration from travel, art, nature, and the diversity of cultures found in NYC as well.
Oligoville:  Describe a typical day for you.

Prizy: My schedule varies day to day and currently I work from my home studio. The closest I have to a schedule is getting up around 7:30, making coffee, and checking all my emails. I will go to the post office in the morning to ship out any orders I have. I sell retail so I do most of the work. However, when I have wholesale orders, I hire a contractor to help with the sewing.

Today, I am working on an elaborate, time-consuming gown for a fashion section for an up-coming awards ceremony. I will work on this uninterrupted, except for lunch and a break to check emails. I may run to the garment district for any trims or notions and return to work when I get home. Around 8pm, I will resume work again, and continue for a couple of hours and finish off the night catching up on emails or doing research on the internet.

Being a small designer, I wear many hats. I am designer, draper, patternmaker, samplemaker, and, most times, production. I also do the marketing as well as the accounting and have very little free time. Since it’s difficult working by oneself, I accept as many invitations as possible, and I always go out wearing a dress!

Oligoville: Describe your fashion style.

Prizy: My style currently is very classic and elegant. A casual work day is just jeans and a tee. But whenever I’m out, I am conscious of representing myself so I make sure to always wear a dress and a great shade of lipstick.

Oligoville:  Tell us about some unexpected setbacks you have faced since starting your business and what you learned from that.

Prizy: I never had a rulebook when I first became an independent designer, and there have been many challenges along the way, especially financial, and this current economic climate has been a challenge.  My most recent setback this fall was giving up a retail space I was sharing with a fellow designer. I was unsure how to move forward, but soon new options came along. I’ve opened an online shop with some of my favorite pieces, and am exploring various selling possibilities on the internet.  Setbacks only test your level of commitment. I’m starting to see them as assisting me move in another direction.

Oligoville: What has been the most rewarding part of your career?

Prizy: The most rewarding part has been the work itself and the freedom that comes with it. I love the idea of bringing a concept on paper to life on the form, and eventually moving on to someone else. I’ve enjoyed seeing myself improve creatively as a designer, and making people happy with my dresses. Once I went independent, I realized there was a whole community of artisans like myself who were being creative, working hard, and following their dreams.

Oligoville: Tell us where you expect to see your business in the next five years and some of the goals that you have for your brand.

Prizy: In the next five years, I hope to grow my online shop and build a strong domestic and international customer base. I want to work toward having a permanent space in [New  York City] and would like my brand to be recognized for its selection of great dresses.

As a designer, I intend to release collections organically, produce only what is needed, eliminate excess, and attract the customers who believe in investing in quality and who appreciate the art of fashion.

Oligoville: What advice do you have for aspiring entrepreneurs?

Prizy: Believe in yourself and never give up! Stay positive. If it’s a true desire, keep working at it, and the doors will open.

Oligoville: What song never fails to make you happy?

Prizy: “Girls Just Wanna Have Fun” by Cyndi Lauper