Stories Vol. 2 The ladies behind Catbird: Rony Vardi & Leigh Plessner
orignal interview: APRIL 28, 2017
Most of you have probably seen the buzz-worthy Netflix series ‘The Politician’. Not only is it bingeable and completely socially relevant, but the costumes are incredible! Just in time to celebrate their well deserved Emmy nomination, sisters Claire & Lily Parkinson share their story of working together and the inspiration behind creating these iconic costumes.
Claire I know you studied journalism and Lily, your major in college was fashion. Can you tell us a bit about your lives before becoming costume designers?
Nicole’s work is everything you want in modern florals. Vibrant, stunning, architectural, unexpected and highly textured. Her floral designs for her brand Texture Florals often look like paintings, harkening a dutch still-life in technicolor. When Nicole and I met over drinks and shopping at a mutual friend’s house, I was instantly drawn to her feminine style, which comes across in her work. Her live videos where she creates her designs on the spot are relaxing to watch and I love how she chooses her outfits to match, which happens to be by coincidence! Nicole’s feed is a constant source of inspiration. Since meeting we have collaborated on a stunning photoshoot, but I wanted to share even more about Nicole and her path to create Texture Florals.
Professionally, I figure out what I enjoy doing as a business owner and as a designer, and what I don’t enjoy taking on in those two roles respectively. What I don’t like, I figure out a way to hire someone to take as much of that off my plate. It keeps me and my ideas moving forward instead of feeling weighed down.
Can you tell us a bit about your life before creating Texture Florals?
I think it was very boring! I had a 9-5pm desk job working as an architect for a firm. My days pretty much all looked the same during the week. Growing up, I always thought, this is what I am supposed to do, go to college, get a degree, follow through with using that degree, so I didn’t put much energy into exploring other options. I was not happy, but I was taught to excel in my studies, follow the rules, don’t create waves, and so therefore I was afraid of failure and that way of thinking does not allow you to see opportunities outside of the box you’ve put yourself in. It was a very paralyzing, and most certainly, uncreative, way to live my life. It took me a while to figure that out though.
How did your daily routine or life structure change when you went into business for yourself?
For the most part, I have complete control. I am able to focus on what I want my life to look like, professionally and personally, and shape that. Personally, I am not a “up and at ‘em” person in the morning, so being able to slow down, linger over a cup of coffee, do a little reading, sit outside in the garden, or start the day off with a workout is life changing for me. Professionally, I figure out what I enjoy doing as a business owner and as a designer, and what I don’t enjoy taking on in those two roles respectively. What I don’t like, I figure out a way to hire someone to take as much of that off my plate. It keeps me and my ideas moving forward instead of feeling weighed down.
What thrills you the most and concerns you the most with growing your business?
Having the opportunity to use my creative voice to shape what I enjoy and share it with others. From small scale projects to large, that remains constantly true so far. I also love collaborating with really talented, hardworking, thoughtful and kind artists. It’s a wonderful feeling to devote your time and resources to a project with others who share a similar passion for what you’re creating.
What concerns me is finding the right team members to grow with the business. But, for the most part, I’m a big believer in things working out in the end.
Art direction: Jess Canovas
Photography: Amy Batog
Styling: Claire Baker
What have been some of your best tools in getting your brand off the ground? Are there any processes you have implemented that have been game changers?
I’m not sure my business would be what it is so quickly without Instagram. Flowers are so visual, so it’s been very beneficial to be able to share my work in this way with both a wide and targeted audience. I think people respond positively to confidence, consistency, and being real. If you have a true sense of identity as an artist, designer, business, etc. your audience will find you.
Being true to my aesthetic. For me, this means being clear about who I am as a designer/artist, sharing with others what I want to be creating, and saying no to ideas and projects (even if the money is so right!) that will not allow me to accomplish this.
This season must be so disrupted for you. How have you been getting through this difficult time of COVID-19 and being quarantined?
My work, for the most part, revolves around social events and working closely with others. So, at the moment, my professional world has been immediately turned upside down. Thankfully, however, I can still get my hands on flowers. So, I’ve been able to step away somewhat from being a business owner and focus on being an artist again, which feels really great.
I love how your fashion sense comes through in your live videos. How do you define your personal style?
My style has evolved over the years, but I feel most comfortable expressing myself when I let go of the idea of “should” and focus more on what makes me feel good in the moment. In the summer and fall, when I feel most like myself, my style is very much, “permanent vacation.”
What makes you feel most beautiful in your own skin?
My professional answer: accomplishing goals and overcoming challenges. My personal answer: laughing with my girlfriends and creating with my hands. If all of this can be accomplished with a great tan, even better.
hi friends, i'm fresh off two back to back development trips to india amid the covid crisis. while it was a stressful time to travel, i'm so thankful i had the opportunity to work with my friends and partners before the world closed it's doors. i feel uncertain about what will become of the work we did, but i think it's giving us all something to look forward which keeps us optimistic.
now india has shut down completely until at least mid april. unlike the usa, where i live, where there is still traffic on my street and we can all walk with our families to a local park or outdoor space, many indians are not allowed to leave their homes unless it's for food. this is enforced by police with a baton. i read a quote yesterday about how we are all in the same boat, but not facing the same storm. for many of us, we can enjoy these slow moments and take pause. however for many people a round the world, this time will be completely disruptive, their worlds are turned upside down, making it hard for them to come out unscathed.
some of the partners i work with have now switched their production over to help make masks. i'm exploring ways for us to assist their efforts, and i'll have more on that soon.
there are days when i feel grateful for my opportunities and excited to get back to normal life. for me, that means creating and connecting with people from all over the world who love our brand. other days i fall into a paralyzed feeling where i can't see the light. never the less, we will all move on from this.
i wanted to share these images with you as a kind reminder of our beautiful world and i hope you enjoy them. i'm thinking of each and every one of you as we are going through this together. if anyone else has a story to share, or a question, please comment or reach out to me personally at alana@llani.shop- i would love to hear from you.
xo alana
views from the streets of delhi and jaipur
Original interview: JUNE 6TH 2018
i first stumbled across stella simona on instagram. i was instantly drawn deep into her beautiful feed, full of minimal, warm, images with accents of gold against her dark skin. i didn't hesitate to follow her. later i realized those beautiful gold accents were part of her jewelry line, haati chai. heavily influenced by her grandmother, haati chai is a fine jeweler heirloom brand, designed to be passed down to generations.
after stella and i connected, she introduced me to her business partner ali, who founded amarilo. amarilo is an unassuming, high end, minimalist jewelry brand. it was then that i started thinking... so wait, these two super chic best friends founded respective jewelry brands and later made them sister brands? i needed to know their story. read on to hear what inspired them to join forces in a world where we are all destined to follow our own paths.
can you tell us a bit about your lives before creating the brands haati chai and amarilo?
stella simona: was 23 when i started haati chai. prior to the brands, i finished college and went on to work in the industry in brand development and photography.
ali heiss: i was 22 when i started amarilo. i was finishing my degree in political science when i founded amarilo, and later partnering with stella for haati chai.
how did the two of you meet and when did the idea to become co-founders/ partners come to fruition?
ali and i met through a mutual friend and kept in touch due to common interests. we are serious foodies and instantly bonded over our love for food. at the beginning of our relationship, we’d take trips exploring all types of dishes, from chinese hot pot to italian food. these experiences together opened the opportunity to not only enjoy this common interest but also discuss and share our separate experiences as two young designers. we could exchange tips and tricks, down to venting about a complicated day with a vendor, or even set dates to source together. it was really refreshing being that both our boyfriends were - i’m sure - a little tired of hearing about every detail we were experiencing.
we eventually decided to do a capsule collection where we designed hybrid pieces between both the brands named “bandhu” which is the bengali word for “friend”. this project was really refreshing in terms of sharing the duties that previously we would have solely had to do ourselves and the companionship that came along with it. this collection also provided a glimpse into how well we worked together. in our third year as solo designers, we joined forces and started a partnership. we decided it was beneficial to co-own both brands and haven’t looked back since.
i know you stand behind both brands having a larger purpose and deep cultural influences, can you speak to that?
when we founded our jewelry brands we knew it was so much more than jewelry, it was this medium that allowed us to share our personal story. we started both brands to not only share our cultural influences but also shed light on topics that were important to us. this foundation is still a key part of our companies today. as a 100% women-owned and run company with a customer base that is largely women, we intentionally use our social media platforms as a way to empower women. currently we are also partnered with big life, a conservation organization protecting and sustaining east africa’s wildlife and wildlands.
it’s clear you both influence each other, but how do you respectively define your personal styles?
we see ourselves and the brands as sisters. sisters resemble and even influence each other but at the same time they have their personal identities. we’ve both grown a lot over the years and each of our personal journeys is reflected in our personal styles and within each of the brands.
do you have other people on your team, and how many?
we have an all woman team of 5 not including ourselves.
what thrills you the most and concerns you the most with growing your brand?
i personally love the rush of something new and the fact that possibilities are endless. the times where we experience rapid growth are ones i look forward to but with this excitement comes the fear of being unable to keep up and inevitably falling behind. this is a big concern we work hard to address when necessary.
what have been some of your best tools in getting both of your brands off the ground? are there any processes you have implemented that have been a game changers?
this is a very broad question as i think we have utilized so many elements to get to where we are. we have always made use of all available resources and strategized to organize them to continue to build the brands. at the root of it all, strategy has been key.
on a marketing standpoint, one really big tool in growing our business on a global basis has been social media. between instagram, pinterest, and facebook, we have grown our customer base and landed new retailers.
as we continue to grow, we constantly look at our internal operations to ensure we can scale properly. one big move for us was that we began working with a fulfillment center so they can begin shipping our orders.
i wouldn’t say that this is a tool, but it is very important to ask a lot of questions. especially in production, we were always questioning processes and learned how to simplify it down over the years. through simplification brought down costs, which permitted us to grow in different directions.
tell us what differentiates the haati chai girl from the amarilo one? are there defining inspirations behind each brand?
the haati chai woman lives her life indulging in her passions and self discovery -- through travels, philanthropy, and romance. her jewelry reflects the experiences she has had, and are markers of her life events.
the amarilo woman abides by a minimalist philosophy - removing the non-essential and making a conscious effort to focus on what really matters in life. like her lifestyle, she wears pieces that are classic, timeless, and minimalistic.
what is the most special piece of jewelry you own?
ss:jewelry for both of us is very intimate. many of our pieces are markers to life events we have experienced, whether it being a smaller event like a paycheck or a larger life event like the birth of my son. one of my favorite pieces will always be the anna coin pendant neckpiece, which is a piece i designed in memory of my grandmother anowara. the piece is a coin from india dating to 1935, which is the year she was born. the currency at that time was called annas which is my grandma’s nickname.
ah: i can’t choose just one. both brands are my babies, so i love wearing a piece from each brand. i love wearing the haati chai anna coin pendant with my amarilo lock pendant. they are both striking reflections of both stella and i; the coin pendant is imperfect with such beautiful meaning behind it, where the lock pendant is perfectly crafted with a deep mix of both asian and american culture. even though the styles are completely different, they compliment each other so beautifully, very much like the relationship that stella and i share.
what makes you feel most beautiful in your own skin?
ss: understanding that there is only one me and loving myself for everything i am makes me feel confident and beautiful in who i am.
ah: i am most beautiful in my own skin when i am confident in myself. i hope to be the role model i did not have for myself when i was younger and share this with young women who are looking up to me.
photos by aja hitomi
@ajarinahitomi
Original interview: APRIL 20, 2018
i started visiting rescue spa in 2008 when i was just 20. it was danuta mieloch, the owner and founder, who gave me my first ever facial. i still remember the transformative feeling i had when i walked through the doors of their first and former location in philadelphia. it was shortly after that, i was introduced to the now cult product of p50 by a girlfriend who also saw danuta. a total game changer for my skin. just like the feeling you get when you listened to a singer before she ‘made it big,’ i pride myself on receiving my first educational facial from the true master herself. now, danuta sees celebrities and editors on the daily at her just opened, chic new york spa and the orignal posh, philadelphia location.
danuta’s approach to life is much like her approach to skin care. she promotes rituals, repetition, and creating good habits. danuta is a wealth of knowledge and doesn’t mind sharing what she has learned while performing thousands of facials. she shares with us her path to founding rescue spa, how she feels beautiful in her own skin, and the women she looks at for empowerment.
what was your very first introduction into skincare?
“my passion for skin care started as a child. i would mix little potions and masques at home in poland, setting up a mini {laboratory}. we used ingredients we had around like brewer’s yeast, strawberries, and herbs. growing up there was one creme and it was nivea and it was used for everything.”
what led you to study in paris.
“i studied to be an esthetician in poland. there we train among doctors and nurses for three years after high school. when i was 25, i moved to the us and settled in new york. my experience there led me to train with biologique-recherche in paris.”
what approaches do french girls take to skin care versus american gals?
“the french like to do everything simple, less contrived. the hair is very ‘i woke up like this’. i tend to fall in between that french way and the american approach. when in paris, the pharmacys have great products. embryolisse lait crème concentre is great for everyone. i also love the multivitamins they carry that dissolve in water.”
congrats on your beautiful new space in new york! when did you know you were ready to pull the trigger on such an ambitious location?
“new york has always been a part of me, the energy, i just love it. i was looking around for properties and spaces, but not so seriously. i had gone to see deepak chopra speak and i was at abc cocina when i saw a ‘for rent by owner’. i called the landlord, and he explained it needed a lot of renovation. i just couldn’t stop thinking about the place! i figured out how i could pull it off and the rest was history. often we are limited by what we can and can not do, but if we open ourselves up to knowing, we can achieve anything. overcoming these challenges has become second nature to me.”
what thrills you the most the most with growing your brand?
“the most thrilling thing is being able to offer employment to women who are passionate about skincare. some of these young women are unsure of their direction. maybe they started off cleaning houses, and now they can grow to be an assistant spa manager. it’s amazing to see them evolve to buying homes and having children. i really enjoy being able to educate, and i take the same approach to my clients. i have done thousands of facials. touching so many people and so many skin types with their own different challenges. i’m glad i can provide the best products and equipment at our spas. i always share what i have learned.”
it seems as if you are always present at the rittenhouse location. how do you carve out the time for self care during a busy week?
“rituals and repetition set me on the right path, and i have the same approach to skin care. i have developed good habits like meditating in the morning, yoga, having a wholesome and mindful diet. my diet is nothing specific. i stick to eating clean, but often i change things around for a bit of variety. you can listen to your body and skin and see how it’s reacting. i would say to never abandon where you came from. i am polish, and my ancestors knew how to eat. fermented foods, whole grains, and local clean food. if you create good rituals, you can replace a bad behavior with a good one. instead of having that 3rd glass of wine, make a cup of tea. if you don’t feel like working out, put your shoes on, take slow steps.”
you are the us ambassador for luxury brand biologique recherche. i’m a tried and true super fan of the cult classic p50 (believe the hype). the world of skincare and beauty can be so overwhelming for many of us. how do you find the hero products with so many choices out there? and how do you stay on top of new advances and trends.
“i believe in gathering information from the right sources. we also have to remember to start with the apex, and not too much at once. less is more. often we are overwhelmed with big ideas. i often see clients who are spending money on expensive creams, looking for a miracle, but they often forget to lay the groundwork. to create the best routine for your skin and yourself, you need to be consistent. invest in a milky cleanser. the skin on our face is exposed to all of the elements, cold air, dry air, make up. we need to remove all of that each night. my mother used to say ‘if you don’t cleanse your skin at night, you are 7 days older’. i attend a lot of industry seminars, i read a lot, i do research. my approach never changes, and i stick to the same set of rules. our skin likes a little change every 3-4 months, but the steps need to remain the same. don’t underestimate the benefits of an amazing facial and facial massage. on a medical level, our muscles in the face are attached to the skin. they need to be stimulated, just like our bodies need a good workout. oxygenation is important. our muscles deteriorate without movement, and without circulation.”
you always look incredibly chic in the office, how do you curate a functional wardrobe that fits into the spa environment?
“i stick to basics and keep my wardrobe paired down. i have a lot of black, beige, neutral colors, white. i love a pair of fabulous shoes! a beautiful pair of pointy toe shoes can completely change your outfit. i try to include one or two pieces of trends, and keep the rest classic. i have gone through many trends, but jeans with a black tee shirt, beautiful shoes, with a nice jacket always looks pulled together. i invest in good pieces, and i’ll splurge on shoes and bags.
what makes you feel most beautiful in your own skin (besides p50)?
“the beauty, it’s part of us. if we just tell ourselves every morning how lucky we are and being grateful, that shows the best. yoga is helpful to switch the chatter off. we make our own story, we can change our story to a positive one if we are having a bad day. it comes from within, this beauty.”
what keeps you energized outside of rescue spa?
“yoga, rituals, travel, growth and education, meeting new people. it’s on of the reasons for the location in new york. it helps with my personal development.”
you are packing for a last minute flight to paris, and you can only bring 5 skincare/ beauty products. what are they?
“a milky cleaner, p50, a serum, moisturizer, foundation with sunscreen - never skip the steps. i try to detox everyday. i go to sleep grateful and remember that today was a good day.i face the day with a positive attitude. you can train your brain to withstand hardship. i love to travel, go to paris, visit home in poland. i speak to my mother who is 84.”
would you say your mother is your inspiration?
“my mother is so strong and independent, so focused on helping others and sharing. polish women were emancipated long ago. i have many polish female idols like marie curie who has 2 nobel prizes. helena rubinstein who sailed to australia.”
original interview: JUNE 26, 2017
hilde lynn helphenstein and i met exactly twice. the first time was at a cocktail party in san francisco, about a year or so ago. it was before i became 'llani' and she became 'hilde'. when we got to talking, late into the night, it was clear we were both in the midst of conceptualizing these dreams, dreams to put our name on something of our own. the second time we met, hilde invited me to a birthday party she was throwing herself the very next night. i was told the dress-code was skanky chic, and i embraced it at every level. i showed up at this back yard shindig in fuchsia leather, and migled among the cool crowd, casual conversation while sipping negronis from champagne glasses in the mission. then, the fire juggler came, transforming the party into an unforgettable and quintessentially unpredictable night. it also transformed the everlasting impression hilde left on me. as we followed each other from opposite coasts, i new she was embarking on a venture of epic proportions.
can you tell us a bit about your life before you opened your namesake gallery hilde?
i’ve spent the last 9 years studying art making, art business,and traveling extensively to get a full grasp of where art fits in our current times. that’s the very dry, but shortest version. i’ve lived in nyc, san francisco, miami, oslo, copenhagen, gothenburg, frankfurt, and even russia! it’s been an incredible exploration of the world, humans, and how we choose to express ourselves in different cultures and time.
can you identify the tipping point when you decided you wanted to open your own space, or was that always your end goal?
yes. last year i spent time working at gagosian gallery in san francisco. it was an enriching and eye opening experience. larry is actually a hero of mine and when i read about his life and realized that no one ever gave him permission to do what he does, i thought i can do this! i’ve been training majorly for this for as long as i can remember. it’s my turn! there was an element of self-doubt and fear that i had to just shed and decide to go for it, no matter what. i can’t understate this for anyone who’s reading this: no one will ever give you permission to achieve greatness, you seize it for yourself.
what thrills you the most and concerns you the most with growing your company?
i look at what i do as a form of creative midwifery. i’m mostly excited to have a chance to guide the direction the art market will go and eventually how the story of contemporary art is told. i’m working with my favorite artists and i find incredible value in their minds, their craft, and their commentary. i completely believe in their legitimate existence in the future. my greatest concern, challenge and opportunity is how to create a new paradigm within the art market which provides sustainability. i’m not here for cheap thrill and a few fast bucks. i want to grow and nurture artists over time, while being ultra-creative and vital.
what is your daily routine now vs. when you were working for an employer? do you feel that you have more control over your schedule?
i literally have the best schedule in the world, but also don’t have any separation from my work mentally. the gallery is 11am-6pm and i’m an 8 minute drive from the gallery which means no more alarm clocks and no commuting.i live in this little cottage that was built by the zen center of california. it’s in the back garden of an old mansion. i listen to birds all day and night. i don’t hear any street traffic. i get to leave the city in essence, which is key to my mental health right now. i did all of this intentionally. i need to be 100% present for my new business and organizing my life around the principal of “the gallery first” has been key to energy i use to approach this kind of work.
however, when i say there are far fewer boundaries than before, i mean that exactly. i have two artists from sweden living with me right now as they prepare for our summer exhibition. my house has very few walls and doors and then the gallery is the exact same way architecturally. i’m publicly facing all day at the gallery and then i work in the evenings to assist my artists. it’s a full time job in every way and at times can feel like a huge sacrifice that i’ve given in honor of my ultimate dream.
do you feel you're making powerful statements through the work and artists you choose to feature? are there any issues or topics you feel you can shed light on that may not have been acceptable when you were working for a gallery with a national name?
well of course i believe i’m making powerful statements or i wouldn’t be doing what i’m doing!
there are no lack of interesting perspectives to explore in art. i think art in general is good at addressing abstracted “problems” or mind puzzles as a stand in for some of the complications we all face being human. i get really into the concerns of artists because i find their problems to be complete fakes, fabrications, and metaphors. imagine turning your whole world into how do i perfectly apply the right amount of paint onto a brush and then hit the canvas at the right speed with the correct motion in order to construct the perfect image...just think about how that can mess with your perspective while also completely freeing your mind from the constraints of everyday life!
when i worked for other people we showed their artists and attended to their intellectual concerns. now i work with my favorite artists on whatever it is they are concerned with and thinking about. it’s a wonderful experience to provide this kind of platform for them.
what or who inspired you the most recently and how do you translate that inspiration?
i read as much as i can and i watch tons of film. i’m currently reading “i’m very into you” which is a compilation of flirty and probing emails between kathy acker and mackenize wark. they are obsessively getting to know one another through email. they’re both wickedly smart and funny and vulnerable. they were written in 1995/1996 when the concept of this kind of communication was brand new. i also just watched the two documentaries made about author jt leroy.i think i’m obsessed with art that lifts the curtain only to reveal more mystery and intrigue, further wonder at the impossibility of contemporary life.
you always look so fabulous at your openings! how do you chose your outfits for these special events at the gallery? are you inspired by the work you are showing or do you shop knowing you have the perfect excuse to buy something special.
you always look fabulous ;) thank you! i am really inspired by the shows for finding my “look for the evening.” the first show was apollo on earth so i wanted a retro futuristic dress that flirted with vapor wave. i ended up wearing a white shift dress with sheer pockets and a giant behive. our summer show will be no exception. my artists want me to dress as a virginal-sexy nun, cross choker and all. i’m totally game. think raquel welch in blue beard...yeah, that’s what we’re going for! ha ha. it’s so much fun.
what makes you feel most beautiful in your own skin?
oh god, i’m gonna pull a cliche out of the bag, it’s never about how you look and all about how you feel about yourself. some days i just look good and i can’t justify why exactly, but i usually end up realizing, “wow, i feel f-ing amazing today!”
orignal interview: APRIL 28, 2017
handcrafted in brooklyn, catbird is a consistent go-to for gifts and special pieces of jewelry to reward yourself or others. rony & leigh shared with us their story of building this epically feminine brand, running a all lady team, and staying motivated outside of the office.
can you tell us a bit about your lives before catbird?
leigh: after college, i was a buyer at politics & prose in washington dc (an incredibly special independent bookstore). that led me to move home to ny, start my own stationery line, and do lots of odd writing and merchandising jobs. i’ve worked since i was 15, being industrious at work helps me justify luxuriating in life!
rony: i’ve also worked since i was 15, starting as a lifeguard. i took it very seriously! my post-lifeguarding careers included working in a bookstore, being a seamstress, managing a futon shop, being a graphic designer...
rony, can you identify the tipping point when you decided you wanted to open your own shop, or was that always your end goal?
rony: one of my graphic design positions was in dumbo in the late 90s, when there was really nothing there. i watched a woman open a café/art store and witnessed over the first few months since she opened, how she changed her store to suit her customers’ needs. something about that agility and change really excited me and i felt that that was a path i wanted to pursue.
leigh, when did you join rony and how did you feel about being part of a jewelry brand? was this a departure from the career path you envisioned?
leigh: i’ve been at catbird for almost 11 years! rony was a customer of mine, and when i found out she was opening a new store, i jumped at the chance to work out of my house for one day a week, and then two days...and then, i closed my stationery company and joined catbird full time!
what thrills you the most and concerns you the most with growing your brand?
leigh: a wonderful, kind, smart expanding team is thrilling, being able to both stay exciting and honest to what we love is something i think about a lot.
rony: ditto to what leigh said about what is thrilling. the team we work with is endlessly inspiring and a true joy to be around. i think a lot about making sure we continue to make decisions that are true to what we believe in yet still also allow us to grow.
to follow @catbirdnyc, it seems your team is always grabbing drinks together, buying cupcakes or treats for the office... how else do you balance the stress of managing such a large team? are office activities a cornerstone of your weekly schedule and how do you carve out the time for fun during a busy week?
leigh: we work in an open office (you’ve been to visit!) which really sets the tone of collaboration and communication. we have a few different snack tables and having something sweet appear is communal and warm and lovely. i don’t particularly have a sweet tooth, but i love sweets aesthetically and symbolically.
rony: i seem to have developed a late-onset sweet tooth. :/
your brand has evolved so much since it’s conception. do you feel you have followed the evolution of your customer or do you think the catbird girl is a different one now then 10 years ago.
leigh: i think we’ve all evolved together, and as we grow up as a brand, we’re able to talk to even more people, without losing the connection to the brooklyn girls who have been with us since the beginning.
what makes you feel most beautiful in your own skin?
leigh: a walk in the neighborhood on a day when the air feels barely there, and an ice cream truck is not too far away.
rony: hanging with my kids. they seem to think i am beautiful, always. they’re never like, ‘oof bad hair day.’.
what is the most special piece of jewelry you own? and let’s nip the obvious in the bud and say, with the exception of your engagement or wedding ring.
leigh: my memento mori ring from bittersweets in honor of my mom. it’s the first one she made, and it’s 22k, so the gold gets more burnished and loved over time.
rony: not to be a copycat, but i also have a memento mori ring from bittersweets to commemorate my dad. i also have a really old threadbare ring that is a testament to catbird to me - delicately beautiful and very strong.
congrats on your temp shop in la! we all know the differences in la vs. ny dressing, but how does it apply to jewelry? if you had to identify what the most popular styles will be in la vs. ny, how would you define the separation?
leigh: we’re pretty excited to find out! this is our first visit out there, so we’re really learning. i think, though, one of the special things about our jewelry is how well it slips in with one’s own existing mix. i sorta think our bestsellers here will be our bestsellers there, but we’ll see!
what keeps you going outside of the world of catbird?
leigh: it’s a whole big hodge-podge, the outside world feeds catbird and vice-versa! but for me, books, movies, vintage nightgown-hunting, and neighborhood drives with teepee, my chihuahua/muse and my husband. our cat coral prefers to stay at home.
rony: coffee? i am committed to expanding my kids’ worlds, which can be challenging because i sure do enjoy staying home.
big thanks to these ladies for being supportive of llani from the very start. we love catbird!
interview by alana oates
photos compliments of catbird
So excited to announce..
We have hand- embellished hair accessories coming in December! We designed these with our partners in India for a festive Holiday surprise. These accessories are a great way to add instant glam to any look.
]]>We have hand- embellished hair accessories coming in December! We designed these with our partners in India for a festive Holiday surprise. These accessories are a great way to add instant glam to any look. I have personally been wearing mine with a cozy sweater, jeans, and our Gilded Tile Mocs. A must have for your Holiday social calendar, and they make great gifts! Estimated ship date is Dec 15th.
Our Pink Pearl Padded Headband is a stand out style that adds height and drama to any do.
Made with peach jacquard satin and a padded interior. Finished embellished with hand sewn pearls and gems. 1 5/8" width by 1” height. One size. I love this one styled with pieces in the front and pushed forward a bit.
Our Velvet Petal Headband is a take on a turban head piece. The embellishment mixes silver and gold sequins, glass beads, and gems. This piece pairs well with jewelry of any tone.
Made with ivory velvet and a center knot. Finished with a hand embellished flower motif of sequins, glass beads, and gems. 2.5" width by 1” height. One size. This style looks great with an up-do.
Leave a comment below if you want to be the first to know when these are available!
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All three styles are expecting to be available for pre-order end of October, shipping mid November 2019.
Our genuine shearling styles are almost here! This year our signature moccasins are better than ever, with an indoor/ outdoor sole! We know that so many of our customers were wanting to run out of the house in these cozy styles and now you can.
We are introducing a brand new smoking loafer, also lined in fur. This slide features our signature hand embellishment.
Mindfully made in India.
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this july we traveled to india to get inspired and work with our makers face to face. we had an amazing experience discovering incredible parts of each city we visited. first up- jaipur.
we started off in india's pink city, jaipur- best known for it's traditional crafts, design, and unique heritage architecture. jaipur is a royal city, and a shopping epicenter. leather, textile, and jewelry artists create custom pieces for the wealthy merchants and travelers who want to get a taste of india's inherently beautiful material culture. the experience of meeting an artisan and overseeing their work, their craft, being developed right in front of your eyes is so rare and unique to this part of the world. the city of jaipur almost seems untouched by modern technology that overwhelms other cities i have chosen to travel to.
between shopping, we headed straight to one of the beautifully renovated palaces for mid-day meals and a break from the heat. our favorite spots were full of incredible decor inspired by indian heritage themes with a very modern twist. for lunch the sujan rajmahal palace is a must. the staff will be happy to give you a tour of the property. we were mesmerized by the 50 different custom wallpapers created exclusively for the hotel. later, grab a drink at taj rambaugh palace in the polo lounge and wander the vast lawns to chase the peacocks. although we preferred the traditional tastes of indian cuisine, it's wasn't hard to find an upscale dining experience. for dinner we loved bar palladio to gawk at the incredible interiors, and stroll the nearby shops at narain niwas palace. these secluded places were a stark contrast to the city's streets, which are crowded with local merchants.
we can't wait for our next trip to jaipur. being there 3 days still was not enough time to explore ever sight we wanted to see in the great pink city.
xo
alana
for our first volume of our series 'stories' we interviewed alana, the creator and founder of llani. we talk to her about her vacation antics, starting her business, and staying inspired.
how do you pack for a weekend getaway?
i’m totally not the girl that brings only black items knowing that everything will match (although, maybe i should be). i try to really embody the location and dress the part, that is half the fun. if i’m going to la, i love mixing in crazy vintage pieces, eclectic jewelry, and it's the only city i can get away with wearing a hat. my husband loves to fish and we often go north to block island or montauk- so i’ll pack the classics, nautical stripes and crisp linen paired w/ my babouche in spice. in new york i know it will be a ton of running from meeting to meeting in unpredictable weather. i always have my embroidered ballets to slip on between meetings. i try to bring one statement piece to keep things interesting, but sometimes a quirky eyeshadow will have to do. no matter where i'm heading, i bring my moccasins w/ baubles, which are perfect for roaming around a hotel or running out for coffee. they are super cozy and make anywhere feel like home.
you went to school for fashion design. some say career paths are like a jungle gym, not a ladder, meaning they allow breathing room for twists and turns. did you experience any non-linear moves in your path to where you are now as the founder of your own brand, or was it always connected?
in my fashion design school, we were actually always focused on apparel design. so my thesis was a collection of 5 head to toe looks i created (pattern making, sewing, even hand dying the fabrics). i somehow knew that once school was over i never wanted to sew another stitch. it wasn’t until i was at my first internship in my senior year that i was exposed to shoes and accessories. once i started getting acquainted with leather (vs. fabrics) and shoe construction, i never wanted to look back.
the concept for llani came from a life changing trip to india. where do you source inspiration now, and how do you keep track of your inspirations and organize your ideas?
i rely heavily on the creativity of my vendors and partners in india. they are really the experts when it comes to embellishments, and i draw so much inspiration for that. i can mock up a motif, color scheme, and materials- any they will knock it out of the park when they bring it to life. to see something woven or embroidered by hand is just so authentically beautiful. for inspiration, i’m constantly looking at travel blogs and home interior books. i have a love affair with vintage and antique spaces and decor. i can always envision my shoes having a home in a beautifully decorated room.
how did you know that comfortable, versatile shoes were where you wanted to specialize?
i’m a heels girl myself, but i think the trend is just shifting. women are choosing to be comfortable in their everyday ensembles. there is a versatility in fashion now more than before. i’m constantly inspired and encouraged by women who are carving out a path for themselves in the working world. choosing to start their own businesses so that their schedules can belong to them to spend time with family, travel more, or be at home. i think that is setting the trend for our work force of the future. to partner with that, why shouldn’t we feel just as glamourous and empowered on our couch as we do in a boardroom.
what thrills you the most and concerns you the most in the first year of running your own business?
what thrills me the most is that the doors are now wide open. we live in such an incredible time of creative collaboration and partnerships. when i see brands now that i love and admire, it’s less ‘how can i afford that dress’ and more ‘how can i collaborate with that brand’. what concerns me the most is keeping my customers happy. as much as i love shoes, i have to admit, feet are the hardest part on a body to fit! i want everyone to turn to llani again and again when treating themselves or their loved ones to a special gift.
what is your daily routine on weekdays versus weekends?
since i work out of a home office, it’s a bit of a blurred line between weekends and workdays. as a rule, i try to reserve weekends for time with my husband, family, and friends. we are often out of town on the weekends, making trips to the beach, out to the country, or a mini road trip. if we are home, then we try to tackle a home restoration project. i always reserve some time time for self-care too, like an extra long bath or face mask. on weekends i live in my tasseled mocs.
what are some non-fashion things about you that not many people know?
i’m a pretty great cook and i generally don’t follow recipes. i gain tons of energy from socializing and i really enjoy playing hostess and throwing parties or big feasts at our home. i love being outside, the beach, walking in the woods (aka hiking but i never call it hiking because i feel like a poser). i took acting classes through my whole childhood and i wanted to be an actor.
what makes you feel most beautiful in your own skin?
good lighting. i love that time of day when the sun is setting and everyone looks so beautiful and glowy. i wish i could eternally walk through the golden hour. we put our whole house on dimmers, so i try to recreate that light when i can.
fashion has become somewhat of vehicle for political resistance. do you feel you're making any political, feminist, or empowerment statements through your work?
to me it’s less about politics and more about owning your life and who you are. no matter your beliefs or views, because everyone differs, i just want the women in my life to feel confidant to have an opinion of their own. to lift each other up, and empower one another to do good and do right by themselves. when i was growing up in the corporate world, there was so much competition and it could turn really bitter. i think now it’s a different time, and women are more aware of being supportive of one another. my best girlfriend always says ‘a high tide floats all boats’ and i truly believe that if you put out good energy it will be what you get back. there is nothing more empowering than being a positive force in an industry.
interview by ashley thompson
photos by cheyanne gil
hair by barnet fair
shot at lokal hotel
styled by the geisha house