On Nov. 13, Derek Lam hosted a fashion show in the CUSP department of Neiman Marcus in Town Center to display his Spring 2016 collection. The store is the lucky first recipient of Lam’s complete new collection, so Boca Mag sat down with Lam to get the inside scoop.
When/how did your love for fashion start?
I think my love for fashion started when I was in school studying fashion at Parsons. I first studied art, and then I kind of got into the idea of going into fashion. It was maybe my second to last year that I felt like I really had a knack for it. When things start to work out, that’s when you feel like you’re really developing and growing. I became more and more enthusiastic.
At what moment in your life did you have that “I made it” moment?
Now that it’s been 12 years, it feels like I am here, and I’m doing the work and obviously have an amazing business. Partnering with Neiman Marcus, such a wonderful company, to represent both collections—Derek Lam and 10 Crosby—it’s very satisfying.
What is the vision behind your clothing? What is your inspiration?
It’s rooted in American style. I’m always trying to be on the edge of American style—I want to do something that has a modern sensibility. I also love the ideas of thoughtful simplicity and purposefulness and real attention to details, all wrapped up in something that’s luxury and fun.
What is your favorite thing to design?
I love designing pants because a lot of women have difficulty finding great-fitting trousers. I understand the point of view is that you can never have long enough legs, so why don’t we make a pant that gives you that flattering look? I love designing coats because they’re such statement pieces. I think I’m not so much a fashion designer as I am a lifestyle designer. That means that I’m looking at all the different categories—shoes, bags, accessories—because it’s really more about building a style than just one fashion statement. It’s a wardrobe, a personality, a lifestyle.
What can we expect from you in the upcoming season?
Well, we’re continuing our collaboration with Athleta, which is wonderful; that’s going through the whole year. We launched 10 Crosby eyewear and bags. We will be launching our new shoe collection next season. We’re making products that work around the idea of ready-to-wear clothing that fulfills a lifestyle.
What do you like most about fashion?
I love that it changes, and I love that it reflects very immediately what’s happening in culture. Sometimes, when you’re constantly looking for that inspiration, it can be chaotic because things change so quickly.
What advice would you give an aspiring designer or someone who is experimenting with fashion?
I think a real foundation in art is wonderful because it really gives you a broad view of the possibilities. You may initially think you want to go into fashion, but then you decide you want to go into fine arts or curating or interior design. Within fashion, you can even discover that you want to be a journalist for fashion or a buyer. Give yourself that broad overview of the possibilities.
