Willy Chavarria and Hillary Taymour talk about the state of the fashion industry
Fashion designers Willy Chavarria and Hillary Taymour took the stage Monday night during a panel discussion hosted by Marist College's fashion program where they discussed the state of the fashion industry and loyalty to their missions.
Hosted by New York Times Fashion Director and Chief Fashion Critic Vanessa Friedman and the Marist College Fashion Program Director John Bartlett, the designers addressed a room of alumni and students, providing insight into their own ventures and how they navigated the fashion industry.
"In 2009, I was very lucky to start a business in a fashion school and it took off naturally,” said Taymour, who is the creative director of fashion brand Collina Strada. I'm glad it's a small, sustainable company, but I'm very aware of the industry because it's all very grow, grow, grow. I don't think that's my path. I think being happy with the art you create and being able to speak to the audience you want to speak to and having a narrow view works for me.
Related GalleriesTaymour explained how, despite industry challenges, she remains committed to creating a sustainable environment and eco-friendly fashion brand because she believes it's the right thing to do.
Chavarria also spoke about staying true to her values during the panel, saying that supporting justice issues social has always been an integral part of his eponymous label.
"My own background was growing up as a queer person of color in a small town and had a family who were part of the civil rights movement and were very aware of these factors that hold people back - I guess I was in the industry long enough that I was like, everybody's for themselves here and there's not much good," he said. "I was only going to do something if it was good, otherwise I would open a bakery or something."
During the Q&A portion of the panel, an audience member referenced the mission designers to stay true to their values and asked how they communicate them to their customers and followers.
"You must align yourself with as many organizations as there are that have the same philosophy to create change through fashion," Chavarria said. "For me, it's so convinced of yourself and your own mission that you include that in everything you do."
Fashion designers Willy Chavarria and Hillary Taymour took the stage Monday night during a panel discussion hosted by Marist College's fashion program where they discussed the state of the fashion industry and loyalty to their missions.
Hosted by New York Times Fashion Director and Chief Fashion Critic Vanessa Friedman and the Marist College Fashion Program Director John Bartlett, the designers addressed a room of alumni and students, providing insight into their own ventures and how they navigated the fashion industry.
"In 2009, I was very lucky to start a business in a fashion school and it took off naturally,” said Taymour, who is the creative director of fashion brand Collina Strada. I'm glad it's a small, sustainable company, but I'm very aware of the industry because it's all very grow, grow, grow. I don't think that's my path. I think being happy with the art you create and being able to speak to the audience you want to speak to and having a narrow view works for me.
Related GalleriesTaymour explained how, despite industry challenges, she remains committed to creating a sustainable environment and eco-friendly fashion brand because she believes it's the right thing to do.
Chavarria also spoke about staying true to her values during the panel, saying that supporting justice issues social has always been an integral part of his eponymous label.
"My own background was growing up as a queer person of color in a small town and had a family who were part of the civil rights movement and were very aware of these factors that hold people back - I guess I was in the industry long enough that I was like, everybody's for themselves here and there's not much good," he said. "I was only going to do something if it was good, otherwise I would open a bakery or something."
During the Q&A portion of the panel, an audience member referenced the mission designers to stay true to their values and asked how they communicate them to their customers and followers.
"You must align yourself with as many organizations as there are that have the same philosophy to create change through fashion," Chavarria said. "For me, it's so convinced of yourself and your own mission that you include that in everything you do."
What's Your Reaction?
