Andrea Miller in her Park Slope store.

Andrea Miller is one of those inventive boutique owners who can mix design elements, genres, and eras with ease. Her Park Slope shop, Eponymy, carries everything from contemporary Korean designers to vintage Chanel jackets to artwork from her nonprofit organization, Humble Arts Foundation. She sat down to talk about where she sources her amazing finds and why she can’t stand flip-flops.

The store carries everything from antique mirrors to vintage Chanel jackets, and also showcases fine-art photographers. What was your inspiration for mixing art and style?
There wasn’t really any set outlook to the whole thing. My grandparents used to own an antiques shop in New Jersey and I found jewelry cases, antique mirrors, and all sorts of fixtures there. I had started the Humble Arts Foundation with a few friends a few years ago and just sort of put the whole thing together and winged it!

How do you think art and fashion influence one another, then?
They are both expressions of who we are. One movement in fashion and art is a direct resistance of the movement that came before it.

What exactly is the Humble Arts Foundation?
Humble Arts Foundation is a not-for-profit organization that works to advance the careers of emerging fine-art photographers by way of exhibition and publishing opportunities, limited-edition print sales, twice-annual artists’ grants, and educational programming.

From where do you source your goods?
You would be amazed what treasures you can find in small towns. I spend a few months driving around from Virginia to California and just meeting really interesting people!

What do you look for when buying?
I look for detail when buying vintage clothing and for pieces that will fit a variety of people.

Is there a story behind any of the more unusual things you stock?
I would say there is a real curiosity-type feel to the store, so I like to keep off-the-beaten-track-type pieces. There is a stuffed snake I have had since I was 8 years old that sits with a vintage necklace hanging out of its mouth. I also collected fossils when I was younger and have added in two displays for a personal touch.

What sort of woman shops at Eponymy?
Someone witty, adventurous, whimsical, open-minded, and with a sense of nostalgia.

What do you think every woman should have her in wardrobe?
A good pair of boots which look nice but which you can also walk in!

What trends do you like right now?
Trends are a funny thing to me. I only really take note of a trend if a bad one happens! I like a classic, elegant look. Good structure, good lines, and a good fit are also important.

What trends do you wish would just go away?
I could write a book on this, there are so many, but if I had to pick one it would be flip-flops in NYC — a complete liability; it should be kept as a beach look!

What is the one item you can’t live without?
Sunblock or cashmere socks.

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Filed Under: andrea miller, Eponymy, Tastemakers

With his super-sexy, fiercely edgy, modern designs, Alejandro Ingelmo is the man to watch when it comes to high-fashion footwear. He’s got shoes in his blood — four generations of his family have worked in the business in his native Cuba. Madonna wore a pair of heels for her H&M campaign, Jeffrey requested that he produce a men’s collection, and he most recently was a CFDA/Vogue finalist. Lucky for us, he slowed down his rollercoaster ride just long enough to talk about his dedication to both quality and his BlackBerry.

Generations of your family have worked in the shoe business. Did you always want to be a shoe designer, or did you just fall into it?
It was actually the last thing on my mind. I had wanted to go to design school since I was young, but not necessarily fashion. I went to Parsons and explored different things, such as design and pattern cutting and then shoe design, and realized it came naturally to me. Admittedly my grandfather’s great understanding of craftsmanship and quality has really influenced my mentality towards design.

From where do you source your materials? Is it hard to get access to good resources as a younger label?
I source everything from Italy, all my leather. When you start out, you want to make a mark, and one of the biggest challenges was getting access to good materials.

What is the inspiration behind your designs? How would you describe your direction or aesthetic?
I don’t really think in terms of inspiration. For me it’s all about “the new” — new materials, new textures. My creations are very forward. It’s an edgy aesthetic, very strong, very sexy, very modern.

What type of woman wears Alejandro Ingelmo shoes?
She is a modern woman. She is not the type to be at home cleaning and cooking! She has a powerful position in the world.

What’s in your future?
To keep on. I have just started doing bags — a small collection of clutches for spring/summer, which will develop into a full bag range.

What trends right now do you like?
I don’t follow trends, but if anything, I like what’s going on with women’s fashion. The boxy shapes and the extremes — as seen at Gareth Pugh. I think it’s where we are moving towards.

What trends do you wish would just go away?
Prints. I think they are just a way of disguising bad fabrics. I love to see the use of bold color and good fabric and stitching.

What do you think every woman should have in her wardrobe?
You know what I am going to say! A good pair of shoes!

Which designers do you wear yourself?
Dior Homme, Tim Hamilton shirts, my own shoes. I actually just bought a Dior Homme suit for the CFDA because I didn’t own one!

What is the one item you can’t live without?
Starbucks coffee, my BlackBerry!

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Filed Under: alejandro ingelmo, cfda vogue fashion fund, footwear, shoes, tastemakers

With a background in costume design from her time studying at FIT, and an eye for fifties silhouettes (with a Victorian hint tossed in), newcomer Julianna Bass has produced a collection that on mere first glance was so breathtaking that German Vogue and WWD have pronounced her an upcoming designer to watch. We couldn’t agree more and sat down to talk to her about the pressures of starting your own label, her disdain for the leggings trend, and her wacky obsession with collecting vintage pocket watches.

Your spring/summer ‘09 pieces have a fifties-esque feel to them. What was it about the era which you find inspiring?
I was involved in costume design during my FIT studies, so I have always been interested in different eras, in particular the 1950’s and the Victorian times, which inspire my spring/summer ‘09 collection. I like taking things to the extreme, playing with shape, silhouette, and volume.

Structure and silhouette are strong components of your work complete with bows and dramatic expression. Is that a reflection of your own personal style?
Yes and no. I think the dramatic element is more a reflection of my personality. My own personal style is more subdued. I am more interested in vintage pieces and vintage jewelry. If I had the guts, I would wear a vintage hat every day.

A look from Juliana’s spring collection.Photo: Courtesy of Juliana Bass

Who are your favorite designers?
My favorite designers of all time are Christian Lacroix and Vivienne Westwood. The way they portray their collections is a work of art. I strive to be like that!

What has been the most challenging aspect to setting up your own label?
Trying to pair the business side whilst maintaining a sense of creativity. People don’t realize this is a business. They think it’s a fairy tale. There is so much groundwork which goes into setting up your own label.

What trends do you like this season?
For spring, I like the mixture of vibrant colors: the bold, unexpected block of colors, and neutrals. I also liked the structured organza. I was really inspired by Giles Deacon’s collection.

What trends do you wish would just go away?
I have to say the leggings trend, which is everywhere. It is a convenient look, but it’s getting old and needs to die. As for colored tights — no, no, no!

What has been the best advice you’ve received?
Not to let the industry get the best of you. It is a cutthroat business, so keep your integrity.

Where do you shop?
Mostly vintage stores. I love Stella Dallas, which is located near where I live in Williamsburg.

Which designers do you actually wear the most?
I have plenty of vintage Oscar de la Renta and Marc Jacobs. The piece I always end up falling back on is an Oscar de la Renta vintage silk-crêpe tuxedo blouse, which is pleated all the way down the front.

Do you have your eye on anything right now?
I covet wacky, abstract hats. I also collect vintage pocket watches. I own about six, which I ransacked a few years ago from my grandmother’s closet.

What should every woman have in her wardrobe?
A pair of oxford heels and a black pencil skirt.

What can’t you live without?
A cover-up stick for under-eye bags and Thursday-night TV!

Juliana Bass is currently carried at Forest Boutique, 242 W. 10th St., nr. Bleecker St.; 212-255-7573.

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Filed Under: FIT, Forest Boutique, juliana bass, tastemakers