MMWOS Fashion Talks To Fabrice Tardieu

Hello all my MMWOS readers! I am so happy to bring to you a exclusive interview with fashion designer Fabrice Tardieu.  After great success with his Bogosse shirt collection, Fabrice create his namesake fashion line in 2014. Fabrice Tardieu collection takes inspiration for streetwear from all over the world. Today, I am talking to Fabrice Tardieu about his latest colections and more.

Here is MMWOS Fashion Talks To Fabrice Tardieu!

Photo courtesy of Fabrice Tardieu

What is your earliest memory of fashion?

When I was 12 years old I had a pair of bass canvas sneakers from my mothers shoe factory and decided to cut a piece of leather to apply to the front, which reinvented the design. Twenty years later I came across designs from Lanvin that shared the same aesthetic.

In what way did that Experience encourage you to become a designer?

This experience taught me even at a young age that I had the natural ability to be a designer.

Photo courtesy of Fabrice Tardieu

When did you realize you wanted to become a fashion designer?

Working for Giorgio Armani was an amazing experience that immersed me into the industry. The problem is that when you work for someone else’s brand you never truly have the ability to fully express yourself. Because of this, I decided I needed my own brand as a platform for my creativity.

What was the first article of clothing you ever designed?

I always played around with designs and making sure my own garments stood out amongst my friends. I’ve designed several items that are still in production, 16 years later!

Photo courtesy of Fabrice Tardieu

How did Fabrice Tardieu come to be?

I had the vision to create my own brand for years and decided in 2013 it was the right time. I jumped on the next flight to Italy and began searching for a manufacturer.

How is Fabrice Tardieu different from other menswear collections?

Fabrice Tardieu is unique brand because it has an uncompromised level of craftsmanship and features design conscious details that other brands do not offer.

Photo courtesy of Fabrice Tardieu

What are some of your proudest accomplishments as a designer?  

In 2006, I was fortunate to see the rapid success and industry recognition for my shirt brand, which featured leather cufflinks, oversized collars and unique button designs. Another milestone for me was launching my own namesake brand, Fabrice Tardieu.

What matters to you most as a fashion designer?

You always need to be well grounded and understand current design and consumer trends. My garments are made to be versatile so that a variety of different consumers can wear my products.

Photo courtesy of Fabrice Tardieu

What do you hope to have achieved in the industry, 10 years from now? 

I hope to further expand the collection and to develop a womenswear line.

How would you define the style your line exemplifies?

Fabrice Tardieu offers men the ultimate in laid-back luxury lifestyle.

What does fashion mean to you?

Fashion is the greatest form of self-expression.

I would like to thank Fabrice Tardieu for the interview
Until next Time 
Milan Malan Word on The Street 

MMWOS Fashion Talks to Jeff Lee, CEO of Marcella North America

Hello all my MMWOS readers! I am finally back with a brand new interview and new feel to Milan Malan Word on the Street. Today I am bring you a exclusive interview with the Jeff Lee, CEO of Marcella North America.  Marcella is a  Marcella is a custom apparel retailer located in NYC (Soho) and Singapore! Marcella is all about building your own style. 

So Here is MMWOS Fashion Talks to Jeff Lee, CEO of Marcella North America!

Photos courtesy of Marcella North America

Tell me a little about yourself. Where are you from? What's your educational background? 


I grew up in southern California in Orange County which is about an hour south of Los Angeles. I studied art history at Harvard and graduated in 2011. I went to law school for one semester before realizing that life is too short and moved to New Zealand to play water polo. After living in New Zealand for 6 months, I moved to Singapore and lived there for a year and a half, which is where I first encountered Marcella.

Explain how Marcella came to be.

Marcella was started about 4 years ago in Singapore by a group of university friends. With job interviews and school presentations, there just weren't any affordable options available for good fitting, high-quality shirts and suits. There were small, hole-in-the-wall tailors that had opaque pricing and questionable quality and off-the-rack options that didn't fit quite right. There had to be a better solution.

Photos courtesy of Marcella North America

What makes Marcella different from other tailored apparel sites/showrooms?

Convenient, hassle-free, high-quality, not pretentious. We want to make the custom process as easy and streamlined as possible. You can come in to our store without an appointment, design your shirt, get measured, and be on your way all in 15 minutes. The shirt takes about 2-3 weeks and we provide free alterations on site. We save all your measurements in our system that allows you to re-order online or in any of our stores worldwide. 

How would you define your personal style?


I would say it's an interesting blend between the styles you see in both southern California and the East Coast. I like to keep it casual but am also not afraid to go all out with a nice custom suit that includes subtle details like working cuff buttons and contrast details, pairing it with a nice pocket square.

Photos courtesy of Marcella North America

What are some of your proudest accomplishments at Marcella?


Opening the store in NYC. The amount of work that went into the preparations, negotiations, legal work, and renovations were all worth it when we opened the store for the very first day back in May.

Who are some of your favorite designers/labels?


Not to be biased, but I literally only wear Marcella clothes now. Shirts, polos, suits, socks, accessories, besides pants, it covers everything for me.

Photos courtesy of Marcella North America

What is your favorite part about working and representing Marcella? 


The wide range of people I get to meet, from our customers I see in our store to the people helping us make the business grow every day. 

If they had the chance to dress *anyone* who would it be ?

 
I think it would be a lot of fun to work with a professional NBA player, someone like JR Smith of the New York Knicks. JR has a great sense of style and he definitely needs custom fitted clothes because of his height!

Photos courtesy of Marcella North America

Who do they think is the most stylish person around?

Two people who I follow closely are Denny Balmaceda (@denny623) and Steven Onoja (@stevenonoja). Both Denny and Steven are able to seamlessly mix vintage pieces with new, cutting-edge pieces, styles which truly speak to who they are.

What do you hope Marcella achieves in the industry? 


We want to make custom apparel accessible to everyone around the world. No one should have to settle for off-the-rack clothing that was made for a faceless, 5'10, genderless mannequin in a factory. In 10 years, we hope to reach as many people as we can worldwide and let them know that they don't have to settle for less anymore

Photos courtesy of Marcella North America

Where can readers buy your clothes?

Readers can drop by our store in Soho across from the James Hotel at 28 Grand St., Monday-Saturday from 11am-8pm and Sunday from 11am-7pm. If you're ever in Singapore, you can shop at any of our stores there and pick it up there or in New York! You can also shop online at www.marcellacustom.com.

I would like to thank Jeff Lee, CEO of Marcella North America for the interview. 
Check out more from Marcella on 
Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/marcellacustom
Instagram at http://instagram.com/marcellacustom/
Tumblr at http://marcellacustom.tumblr.com/

MMWOS Fashion Talks to Tiffany Turner creator of Ellie Hayes!

Ellie Hayes is an American-made lifestyle brand for customers who enjoy the outdoors and express themselves through art. This perfect 5-Panel Cap is all about unrestricted, creative and free-spirited personality. Ellie Hayes is all about enjoying life. I also loved that this company gives a percentage of every cap sold to a non-profit organization, which encourages healthy living and provides healthcare in sub-Saharan Africa. Ellie Hayes is the creation of designer Tiffany Turner. 

So without future ado, Here is MMWOS Fashion Talks to Tiffany Turner creator of Ellie Hayes!

Designer Tiffany Turner

Ellie Hayes is an American-made lifestyle brand for customers who enjoy the outdoors and express themselves through art. This perfect 5-Panel Cap is all about unrestricted, creative and free-spirited personality. Ellie Hayes is all about enjoying life. I also loved that this company gives a percentage of every cap sold to a non-profit organization, which encourages healthy living and provides healthcare in sub-Saharan Africa. Ellie Hayes is the creation of designer Tiffany Turner. 

So without future ado, Here is MMWOS Fashion Talks to Tiffany Turner creator of Ellie Hayes!

When did you realize you wanted to become a designer?

I have always loved fashion! Throughout my life I would have an idea of what I wanted to wear, but could never find it. I would cut and altered my clothes all the time, in order to build the outfit I saw in my dreams. When I turned 25, I designed my birthday outfit and it was a huge hit! After that, I decided that I was going to become a fashion designer.

How did the name Ellie Hayes come to be?

The name Ellie Hayes comes from a combination of all four of my grandparent’s names. I believe in knowing my history and celebrating my past because in doing so, I hope to discover my future. I wanted to say thank you to my family, particularly my ancestors, because they made it possible for me to become a business owner. 

Ellie Mea- EL

Annie Lee- LIE

Hayes- Hayes

Sullivan- S on Hayes

Where do you find you inspirations for Ellie Hayes Caps? 

Ellie Hayes represents my journey- who I was, who I am today, and a few life-changing events along the way. The little kid who loved playing outside, who loved riding her bike till it was too dark to see, who enjoyed a wild adventure and to this day dreams of her next big escapade. The little kid whom never matched and used art and fashion to express herself…the girl who dreams outside of the box and cringes at the thought of mediocrity.

I design caps for that free-spirited individual (both male and female) and use my life as inspiration. Each cap tells a story. Each cap is unique, and each cap stands out. My goal is to share my life through fashion, celebrate my past, give to the needy, and ultimately, and inspire others to fear mediocrity.

Describe the Ellie Hayes Lifestyle?

Ellie Hayes is an American-made lifestyle brand for customers who enjoy the outdoors and express themselves through art (think: skating, surfing, snowboarding, hiking, swimming, running, biking, painting, singing, rapping, dancing, writing, traveling, etc.). This customer is also looking for that perfect 5-Panel Cap which expresses their bright, unrestricted, creative and free-spirited personality.

Lets talk about your Ellie Hayes caps collaboration with a special charity, Clinics of Hope. Tell my all my MMWOS readers about it.

Since I was a child I dreamed of becoming a doctor. After taking the MCAT, applying to multiple Medical Schools, and graduating with a Pre-Med degree I decided that this path wasn't for me. My whole life, I had been chasing my parents dream and suppressing my dreams. It was a difficult time for me and I struggled with the decision of entering Medical School or finding my passion. 

During this time of debate, I had a conversation with my pastor. He said, “What ever you decide to do with your life, make sure you’re helping others.” When I started Ellie Hayes, the words of my pastor stuck with me and I knew that I needed to find a charity to support and give back to. 

I never wanted to totally abandon my healthcare background, so I looked for a charity the focused on Healthcare access for all. There is a dire need for medical clinics in sub-Saharan Africa. Reliance on tribal remedies and witchdoctors leaves a trail of human casualties, as few rural villagers can travel the distance to a hospital or afford the treatment. Clinics of Hope is an amazing organization that builds medical clinics in sub-Saharan African villages, where healthcare professionals provide life-saving treatment and immediate care for those in urgent need. 

In one sentence, describe the Ellie Hayes collection. 

An Ellie Hayes Cap is a unique piece of art that stands out in any crowd, together the Ellie Hayes Collection may start a revolution. 

What do you hope to have achieved in the industry, 10 years from now? 

I hope to be in every major store around the world. I want to be as household name and continue to create cool caps.

Where can fashion divas and gurus buy Ellie Hayes?

www.EllieHayesCaps.com

Karmaloop

Etsy

Finally, What does fashion mean to you?

Fashion means wearing something that turn heads and makes people say “she wore that!!” If no one envy’s your style, then it’s not fashion!!

I would like to thank Tiffany Turner and the folks at Ellie Hayes for the interview! 

Make sure you check out Ellie Hayes at http://elliehayescaps.com/

and social media on

Twitter: https://twitter.com/EllieHayesCaps

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/EllieHayesCA

Instagram: http://instagram.com/elliehayesfashion

(Photos courtesy of Ellie Hayes)