1020 BY NICOLE: TFS EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW
Celebrity Fashion
January 28, 2010
Nicole Remeny talks leather...
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Few people who end up wanting to go into the competitive world of fashion design have had the opportunity to grow up with a firsthand look at the multifaceted industry. With a family history in the leather and design field, Nicole Remeny has been well-trained in her passion, honing her skills from a very young age. With a background in both menswear and women’s wear, Nicole has been involved in the fashion arena her whole life, from retail to heading up creative design teams. Now her ever-growing brand has developed a loyal following that includes a number of celebs (think Drew Barrymore and Zoe Saldana).  TFS had the chance to speak with the designer to get her inside take on what makes leather such an attractive material to work with, styling tips, where she sees her brand going in the coming seasons, and more.
Q: Where did the name 1020 by Nicole come from?
A: My family has been in the leather business for over 40 years. They own a leather garment manufacturing business in downtown Los Angeles, which is where I do all of my design work. We manufacture all of our garments there. The address of the factory is 1020. I wanted to keep a connection with the name to my family, so that is why I chose 1020 by Nicole.
Q: How would you describe your aesthetic? Your target clientele? A: My concept is simplicity with a focus on quality and fit. I wanted to concentrate on making the perfect leather jacket. I am not into all of the
bells and whistles I see in the marketplace. I like simple, smart, and modern. I wanted to take all of the classic styles and update them to modern aesthetic. I took the motorcycle style, the bomber, the blazer, the hoodie, etc. and made them fashion forward. Most of the jackets have an alpaca knit trim, which really adds an element of luxury to the styles. I also do a collection of knit scarves, detailed with leather, out of the alpaca wool that compliments both the jackets and any item in a wardrobe. My target clientele is quite broad. I have had a great response from a wide range of people - from young women shopping with their moms, to celebrities, starlets, to woman who are more mature and fashion aware. My collection definitely has a variety of styles for everyone. I really love working with all age groups.  Q: What made you focus your attention on leather? A: Given that my family has been in the leather business since before I was born - from my great-grandfather in Hungary to the present - leather is in my blood. I am fortunate that I already have such great relationships with all of the top tanneries in Italy. The leather I use is the softest and highest quality leather out there, as I work closely with these tanners to bring out what is the newest and freshest in the market. |
