Ten Minutes with Sylvia Toth of WARMI

Snow is pretty and all that, but heading out the door every day looking like the little brother in A Christmas Story gets old way before Valentine’s Day. Leave it to a part-time Parisian to come up with WARMI, a cheeky line of knitwear that’ll make you actually relish the thought of six more weeks of winter. Handcrafted by Colombian artisans, Sylvia Toth’s knitwear is sophisticated with a sly sense of humor to boot. For proof, peep the over-sized rosettes of the Audrey collar or the folkloric feline on the Jaguar sweater dress. Read on to learn more about this designer for whom creativity is in the genes.

Oligoville: In five words or less, WARMI is. . .

Sylvia: Clothing with extra spirit.

Oligoville: How would you describe your ideal customer?

Sylvia: Feminine with a twist. A clothing lover but not a fashion victim.

Oligoville: How’d you end up as a designer?

Sylvia: I grew up in a very creative environment. Two of my uncles are architects as is my mother. My cousins work in industrial design or are artists. For me it was an evident that I would work in creation. From a very young age I knew I would be a product or graphic designer. Fashion design came a bit later, during my studies of industrial design. I found out clothes were the strongest way for me to express [myself].

Oligoville: What are your predictions for fashion in 2010?

Sylvia: I think fashion will be full of paradoxes: Strong and radical proposals along with (boring) basics, fast fashion vs. slow wear. A mismatch of colors and textures but also a liking for discretion. Fashion will be more than ever the reflection of our time.

Oligoville: Who and/or what inspires you?

Oligoville: The popular culture in Latin America, films from the beginning of the 20th century, contemporary architecture, illustrations from the Middle Ages. Depending on my moods, everything is a potential source of inspiration.

Oligoville: What’s 24 hours like in your life?

Sylvia: Lately, my days seem to have 25 hours! I work a lot and don’t get much sleep!

Oligoville: What’s in your closet? What are you wearing right now?

Sylvia: My closet is full of WARMI  prototypes; I wear and test all my collections. I also have some Comme des Garcons or Tsumori Chisato and to go with all that a big collection of shoes!
I just came back from the FW10 Look Book shooting. I am very relaxed wearing a Caleçon Fausta in Ocre from my newest collection, a V cashmere sweater and a pair of vintage silver Reeboks.

Oligoville: What’s in your bag right now?

Sylvia: My iPhone, a sketching notebook, a multicolor pen, an embroidery needle, and a bunch of thread.

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

Sylvia: There can be a lot of unexpected setbacks when doing this business: Your entire collection stuck in customs the day before a show, having the worst and only rainy day of the summer when your are shooting your SS collection. I’ve learned to back up and relax. If there’s no solution, which there usually is, I wait for the day to pass. Things go back to normal sooner than you think (even if it is easier to say it than to do it)!

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

Sylvia: Seeing your clothes worn by people in the streets.

Oligoville: Tell us where you expect to see your business in the next five years.

Sylvia: I expect to have a WARMI store in Paris and probably another in Bogota, obtain a fair trade certification for the artisanal process in Colombia, and build up a bigger team of artisans in Tausa as well as in the studio in Paris.

Oligoville: Any advice for aspiring entrepreneurs?

Sylvia: Go step by step and always believe.

Oligoville: What’s on your playlist right now?

Sylvia: Benjamin Biolay’s La suberbe and M – Mister Mystère. I’m in a very frenchy mood this week.

Oligoville: Any last words?

Sylvia: Thanks Oligoville!

Ten minutes with David E. Beats

Music producer/artist David E beats is what you’d call a triple threat in the music industry. He’s a musician, producer, and songwriter looking to crave his way into the Nouveau scene. Beats is credited with producing; mixing and mastering; writing and rapping on all the songs. Beats graciously spent a few minutes to speak his mind:

Where did your interest in music begin?
It began at a very early age. I was introduced to music by my parents and I grew up enjoying rock and soul. I later got into hip hop at 15.

What is it like as a young artist trying to establish yourself in both the music and production scenes?
It is hard but I enjoy the challenge! I love learning new things and building new relationships because the joy of things coming to fruition is the best feeling for me.

Have you faced any obstacles on your way to where you are?
I face obstacles everyday. Chasing your dream requires a lot of sacrifice and dedication and discipline. So I rarely get discouraged.

You’re called a hip-hop artist, but you blend genres in your music. What, if any, category do you consider yourself be a part of?
I call it “Nouveau”. It essentially consists of all these newer talented artists like Drake and Kid Cudi whom are able to do more than just rap, but create stories and do something truly musical.

What ideals/messages do you hope to portray through your songs?
I just want people to know that they can achieve anything. If I can do it, anyone can!

You’ve been producing pretty rapidly, releasing 2 mix tapes this year, thus far. Is that a trend you want to try to keep up?

I am releasing a full length album shortly called “EXIT” which will be pushed for the time period of a normal album cycle. I do plan to release content quite rapidly however. This is the digital age, and unless you are constantly in peoples minds with your music they will forget you.

What music, other than your own, do you enjoy?
I listen to literally anything. From Fefe Dobson to Lil Wayne and Soulja Boy, I bump it all.

What other artists inspire and motivate you?
As artists we all kinda go through the same trouble and tribulations so I respect any artist who can make this game work in their favor, and those are the ones I look up to!

What was it like having the chance to tour in your Open Mic-Showcase so soon after releasing your first mix tape?
It was a great experience! It gave me the time to perfect my live show and smooth out my stage presence.

Is your music entirely your own effort, or do you work collaboratively with other musicians/artists?
I usually do everything on my own, then I take it to a larger studio to get the songs mixed down.

What is the songwriting process like for David E Beats?
It all starts with the first bar, once I hear the beat, I think of the best way to start the song. From there it just evolves.

What would you say to any young artists out there trying to make it big?
Constant work and diligence. Just when you think all is lost, the seed you planted blossoms.

What is the one song that never fails to make you happy?
TI – What’s Up, Whats Happenin’

Ten Minutes with KahriAnne Kerr

Justin may have brought sexy back, but Kahri by KahriAnne Kerr has made sexy utterly wearable.  Above-the-knee hemlines and off-center zippers bring the sizzle, while details like contrast piping and bold buttons keep the look sophisticated. And just to kick it up a notch, lines of dainty studs add just the right rock-and-roll punctuation! What I love best about this line is that you can add dark tights and a long cardi to go office-appropriate then trade in your 9-5 accessories for some bold bangles and sculptural heels for instant cocktail chic. Read on to get the inside scoop on this sassy stylista.

Oligoville: In five words or less, Kahri by Kahri Anne Kerr is . . .

KahriAnne: Hip, funky, rocker chic.

Oligoville: How would you describe your ideal customer?

KahriAnne: A rebellious kick-ass chick.

Oligoville: How’d you end up a designer?

KahriAnne: I never liked anything at my local mall growing up, so I would buy cheap stuff and reconstruct it, and that’s how it started. I kept with designing because it’s easier to sell than paintings, besides the fact that I love it and I realized I was better at fashion than fine art during a freshman drawing class. Damn, I hate perspective drawing!

Oligoville: How/when did you launch your brand?

KahriAnne: I started my business back in 2002 when I was 19 years old back in Iowa. I sold clothing throughout college and more officially have been designing my label Kahri by KahriAnne Kerr since 2005.

Oligoville: Say a little bit about the embellishment that keeps repeating on the fall collection. It looks like little dots.

KahriAnne: I think the dots you are talking about are small studs in various metals and sizes.  Each stud is put in by hand and gives each piece a more funky rocker chick look.

Oligoville: I also like that your collections have names. What’s the dish behind the name for Fall 09?

KahriAnne: The Fall 2009 Collection was inspired by the line “words left unspoken” in the song “Precious” by Depeche Mode. That line and song pretty much just summed up my life at the time I was designing the collection. Many of my collections have a personal connection as an undertone that most people don’t catch.

Oligoville: Who and/or what inspires you?

KahriAnne: I’m mostly inspired by music. The first thing I do when designing a new collection is pick out the music for the theme.  I’ll listen to lots of stuff, and then I’ll just say “Yep, that’s it”.  I like a lot of old school music, 60’s, 70’s, 80’s, 90’s.  Anything but country!

Oligoville:  What’s 24 hours like in your life?

KahriAnne: Well, right now I’m taking some accessories design classes at FIT (Fashion Institute of Technology) so it’s keeping me busy.  I’m working on learning the ins and outs of handbag and shoe design so I can eventually add those categories to my company. So tomorrow’s schedule is get up at 8am, shower, take a 45-minute subway ride to school, class from 11am-1pm, go fabric shopping, class from 2pm-4pm, 45-minute subway ride home, eat something, email, sew, sew, sew, sketch, watch Jimmy Fallon, go to sleep, wake up at 6am for 8am class on Friday.

Oligoville: What’s in your closet? What are you wearing right now?

KahriAnne: My closet is all past season Kahri samples, so all I wear is my own line.  I’m wearing Kahri Fall 09 collection right now.  Okay, I lie, right this very second I’m actually wearing an old t-shirt and knit shorts, which are my comfy work clothes.

Oligoville: What’s in your bag right now?

Kahri: Well, a hell of a lot of stuff most days!  Seriously, my shoulders are going to die.  I’ve got pens, pencils, exacto knife, rubber cement, oaktag, folder, fabric, leather, ruler, hammer, the book “What is the What” (for my long subway rides), wallet, phone, etc.

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

KahriAnne: Well, when I first started I had no idea exactly how much it would all cost, and it’s pretty freakin’ expensive. So having enough money too keep pumping out new collections and pay the bills is difficult. Sometimes things don’t go according to plan, like there was a hurricane the same day as my fashion show last year, which understandably kept some of my guests home. Sometimes buyers don’t pay or stylists ruin your clothes or lose them, or web designers steal your money, etc. etc.

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

KahriAnne: Seeing random people wearing your clothing is pretty cool. Just being able to do what I love to do and not being homeless is reward enough for me. And it’s great when teenagers or aspiring designers look up to me and ask me for advice.

Oligoville: Tell us where you expect to see your business in the next five years.

KahriAnne: Well, I don’t know how long it will take, five years or two or 10, but I’vegot big big plans for my line. For starters, I’m starting a new lower priced diffusion line for Fall 2010 called KA by KahriAnne Kerr.  Also, I’ve got a new collection of hats and jewelry for Spring 2010. Then eventually handbags, then shoes. Hopefully I’ll have my own flagship boutique in NYC open and thriving in the next five years.

Oligoville: Any advice for aspiring entrepreneurs?

KahriAnne: Don’t ever give up, and be very passionate about your craft. Only do it if you absolutely love it. And for the love of god, be original. It also doesn’t hurt to have a rich dad or supermodel/celebrity friends, of which I have neither, of course.

Oligoville: What’s on your playlist right now?

KahriAnne: The Runaways, The Velvet Underground, The Pretenders, A Camp

Oligoville: Any last words?

KahriAnne: Be Rebellious! Oh, and buy my clothes!  Available at www.kahri.com, of course!

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