Q: Do you have a color story in mind?
To-Nya: Yes, I want to gravitate toward more jewel tones. Rich colors such as; emeralds and even Burgundy,( gesturing to our pants laughing) Yeah … I think we all love burgundy,( laughing in unison) And adding in Gold tones, Midnight Blue, Green and Mustard Yellows. I want to pivot around those colors and combined them with rich dark colors such as; Chocolate, and Black--which is always in … and really keeping it tonal while adding prints and texture.
Q: How is it to show at New York Fashion Week? What was it like the first time you both walked out on the Runway together?
To-Tam: It was a dream come true; New York Fashion Week is like,‘ The Oscars’ of fashion. Something that every designer always dreams of doing, it’ s such a rewarding feeling to see the fruit of your labor coming together in that moment. It’ s so intense, it happens within a few months from coming up with a concept, to a story line to the garments, to the actual show with the models, and all the hair and make-up … the jewelry, and once you see it come to life---you have that‘ ah-ha’ moment. It happens so fast, you put all that time and energy into it and then it’ s over in twenty seconds. Next thing you know it’ s like,‘ Twins got to go on stage!’ and so we run out and we are always out of breath, it’ s such an adrenaline rush.
To-Nya: … It’ s so fast and your almost not even sure it’ s really happening, until it’ s all over and your like, Oh my god we really just had a show at Fashion Week. We have to pinch our selves, and we replay it over in our head, and we think about every single detail … I remember you know the first time we walked out on the runway, Fall 2010 showing Spring 2011 it was unreal. I was always thinking one day I would do Fashion Week, but I didn’ t think it would happen that quick … I watch the video from that season and sometimes I have tears remembering that moment. It reminds me of really where we came from …
Q: Do you have any plans to show in LA?
To-Tam: We definitely feel like now that we live in LA we should, but due to time constraints it’ s been really difficult. It happens one right after another, and you know we have New York Fashion Week, then Vegas( for MAGIC) and then LA. Which is extremely intense, but I think that right now we should focus on New York and also doing a trade show, which is really important because that’ s the business side of getting your line into stores. But eventually, yes we would love to show in LA.
Q: Your dresses are known for being able to compliment any women’ s shape or size, but how do you feel about plus size fashion? Would you ever design dresses for that market?
To-Nya: You know definitely! We believe all woman need to have fashionable clothing. You know we are probably thinking in the near future, just because right now we are also helping to design a Plus Size lingerie line with Toccara Jones, and just being in that sphere has inspired us to design a plus size clothing line. I can’ t say a specific date but I can really see it coming sooner especially because we are already working in that sphere.
Q: Your website states:“ The Modern Woman is fierce, she’ s independent and she knows what she wants.“ Do you feel you fit into the idea of the“ Modern Woman?”
To-Tam: Yes, you know I think we started this line inspired by our own lifestyle. Because we had just moved to New York and it was insane, it was so fast paced so fast and it’ s almost like, if you are not running that you are behind because everyone is running … we are young, we are woman and we are not afraid to be our own bosses build our business from scratch. We really feel like we embody the modern woman who goes after her dreams, who chases after what she wants. We wanted to also promote that lifestyle through our brand, and it wasn’ t just about clothing it’ s about promoting strong woman who are independent who are fierce and who can after what they want and achieve their dreams.
Q: How do you define your personal styles? Are you Similar?
To-Tam: We are very similar, but we are actually also very different. I think it almost represents what we do in the company, you know since I brand the clothing I feel like I am the Sachika woman, I love dresses I love to feel sexy, but at the same time I like things simple, and more streamlined Where as To-Nya is a little more funky, and creative …
To-Nya: You know I’ m definitely that sophisticated and modern woman who likes to feel feminine and sexy but at the same time I am the creative one, so I have a little more edginess in the way I dress, I take more risk. For me I feel my normal style of dress is a little more edgy, and funky than the normal woman because I am the creative person. I take a little more risk …
Q: How do you manage your time between designing for Sachika and most recently your men’ s line TUXX?
To-Nya:... We organize ourselves to be really focused, so for me— I’ m the Creative Designer for all the brands so my focus is to really put focus on each brand and to give each one life, and light and to really know what each brand stands for individually. Not to confuse each brand, and really being in that space when I design‘ Sachika’, and when I go to design‘ Tuxx’. So for every brand that is my responsibility to never overlap or confuse the brands to keep it within the sphere of that brand to develop and to grow each one to it’ s full potential. That’ s what we are doing with TUXX as well. We have a large male fan base and we wanted to provide our male audience with a line as well.
Q: When do you plan on launching Tuxx? The first full collection is coming out this year correct?
To-Tam: Exactly, we always had items before, but the first full collection will launch in February as well.
Q: Do you know the price-points for Tuxx?
To-Tam: Yes, we call it fashion essential for men. Because men don’ t like things too complicated. They want to look great, but they don’ t want to have to think too much. So I try to really think about what men want to wear. So the price points are not going to be like Flaucy, but it’ s still going to remain affordable but still in the sphere of a brand that is distinguished and sophisticated. So I would say for example, if we have a premium T-shirt it would be around $ 50 dollars, a Polo shirt would be around $ 75 dollars, a wind breaker would average $ 150 so it’ s manageable but still sophisticated, and still placing our high-end design standards behind it.