Sophomore designer Chrissie Miller sounds off on her style basics.
By Erin Donnelly
Fresh, atmospheric color palettes and unexpected details have launched Chrissie Miller's fresh-faced, '70s-inspired Sophomore line of basics for men and women to the top of many a stylephile's shopping list. The label's rotating cast of "It" girl models and energetic Lower East Side slice-of-life lookbooks have also helped establish Miller as a buzz-worthy NYC fashion fixture. Intrigued? Read on as Miller sounds off on beloved designers, the future of Sophomore, and...Oprah?
How would you describe your personal style?
"Easy breezy."
"Easy breezy."
What five pieces define your everyday style?
"Jeans, T-shirts, high-heel boots, a denim jacket, or a leather jacket."
"Jeans, T-shirts, high-heel boots, a denim jacket, or a leather jacket."
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What is the most cherished item in your closet?
"I have this faded old Levi's jean jacket from when I was 16."
"I have this faded old Levi's jean jacket from when I was 16."
What's on your wish-list this season?
"Alaia leather boots, Balenciaga jeans, an oversized white blazer, and this studded Margiela bag I saw."
"Alaia leather boots, Balenciaga jeans, an oversized white blazer, and this studded Margiela bag I saw."
Who are your favorite designers or labels?
"Margiela, Balenciaga, Alaïa, Emma Cook, Isabel Marant, Rick Owens, and Proenza Schouler."
"Margiela, Balenciaga, Alaïa, Emma Cook, Isabel Marant, Rick Owens, and Proenza Schouler."
What was your most recent fashion purchase?
"Christian Louboutin black suede high-heel boots."
"Christian Louboutin black suede high-heel boots."
What influences your style?
"The people around me, my friends. Just living in New York is inspiring--or just wearing what feels right at the moment."
"The people around me, my friends. Just living in New York is inspiring--or just wearing what feels right at the moment."
What's your favorite place in the city?
"My home."
"My home."
Chrissie Miller behind the wheel
What music do you listen to while designing?
"I listen to so many different things. Right now it's my friends' bands: The Virgins, Lissy Trullie, and Adam Green."
"I listen to so many different things. Right now it's my friends' bands: The Virgins, Lissy Trullie, and Adam Green."
Where do you get the inspiration for your designs?
"I am inspired by different things: music, books, the people around me, images and artwork. Lately I have been watching lots of rare, hard-to-find films from the '70s."
"I am inspired by different things: music, books, the people around me, images and artwork. Lately I have been watching lots of rare, hard-to-find films from the '70s."
What made you decide to focus on basics for Sophomore?
"I love a good pair of vintage Levi's, the perfect T-shirt, a sweatshirt, and a jean jacket or leather jacket with boots. But I've always had a hard time finding basic clothes. Sometimes it's the simplest things in life that are the hardest to find. When it comes to basics, it's all about the details, the little things that most people don't notice but just feel and fit right."
"I love a good pair of vintage Levi's, the perfect T-shirt, a sweatshirt, and a jean jacket or leather jacket with boots. But I've always had a hard time finding basic clothes. Sometimes it's the simplest things in life that are the hardest to find. When it comes to basics, it's all about the details, the little things that most people don't notice but just feel and fit right."
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Your lookbooks tend to feature a who's who of NYC "It" girls like Harley Viera-Newton and Jen Brill. What is it about these girls that helps them translate your designs?
"I like to use the people around me. In Jen's case, she is my best friend, so it seemed natural that she would be included. I like the lookbooks to feel like real life--real people doing things they normally do. Cass Bird, the photographer who shoots all of our lookbooks, I wanted these images to feel as though we are telling a story."
"I like to use the people around me. In Jen's case, she is my best friend, so it seemed natural that she would be included. I like the lookbooks to feel like real life--real people doing things they normally do. Cass Bird, the photographer who shoots all of our lookbooks, I wanted these images to feel as though we are telling a story."
What celebrity would you kill to have model your clothes?
"Anita Pallenberg, circa 1968."
"Anita Pallenberg, circa 1968."
Who would you love to give a fashion makeover?
"Oprah. But she wears great shoes, and I would love to just meet her!"
"Oprah. But she wears great shoes, and I would love to just meet her!"
If you could trade closets with anyone, living or dead, who would it be
"Jerry Hall."
"Jerry Hall."
What's one thing you would never be caught dead wearing?
"Crocs."
"Crocs."
What's your style deal-breaker?
"Cargo pants, men's sandals, and fedoras!"
"Cargo pants, men's sandals, and fedoras!"
What's next for Sophomore?
"We are in the process of experimenting with suede and leather. Very exciting stuff...stay tuned!"
"We are in the process of experimenting with suede and leather. Very exciting stuff...stay tuned!"
Sophomore designer Chrissie Miller sounds off on her style basics.