“Clothes are the words to emotion, the ultimate form of self-expression.”Timothy George
Timothy George is innately curious about how things are made. This deep fascination intrigued him to explore the fine craftsmanship and fabrication of high-end garments. Lacking a formal fashion background, Timothy found himself on the chaotic streets of New York’s garment district seeking “the way to his passion”. His dedication to achieve landed him an internship with one of the industry’s most respected garment factories. During the four years working in the factory, he was devoted to train with skilled craftsmen from draping, cutting, hand sewing, fabrication, to technical constructions. Following that, he trained with Franco Maselli, a custom hand-made suit tailor and pattern maker that traditionally trained in Italy. As a result, Timothy George’s garments essentially focus on the precision of construction, architectural appearance, and the innovative use of fabrics.
“Every moment in time deserves an exclusive, crafted design”Timothy George
UD: Please tell us a bit about yourself what is your
educational and professional background and how do you feel it prepared you for
a career in design?
TG: I actually don’t have any formal
fashion training, but I did go to University for Public Relations, graduated
with a degree in actually I don’t know what the hell the degree was in… anyway
moving on. This helped me a lot because it made me realize A. I am NEVER
wearing a tie to work. & B. that I will never ever get a job in Public
Relations. It was soon after that I saw, wow if I don’t do something that I
love then what is the point of doing anything at all?
This is when I went to seek a real
fashion education, and I got it from the streets of NYC. I knew I couldn't afford fashion school on top of going to University and I was already 2 years
into it so I decided that I would have to find an alternative. Very simple, my
only option was to go to NYC and start knocking on doors looking for someone
who could teach me. This is exactly what I did; I was able to find a high end
Atelier who did production for major brands to take me in. Fast forward 3 years
later I was slowly gaining all the knowledge I needed to start designing. And
that’s how it all started
UD: When did you first get in touch with fashion, what was your earliest fashion memory?
TG: Well funny as it may sound, my
earliest fashion memory is when I was a little toddler. I explicitly remember absolutely refusing to
wear jeans! I remember like it was yesterday they would itch me so bad! I couldn't take it, so my Mom had to buy me corduroys (every color) those were
about the only slacks I could stand! Now it’s quite the opposite.
UD: What made you decided to get in fashion and specifically to start your own line?
TG: This question is actually a who
instead of a what haha! The
beginning of my fashion interest started when I met a luxury accessory designer
by the Name Rene Lautrec. Lautrec noticed
that I had an innate sense for detail and deep appreciation for quality;
it was at that point that he encouraged me to try to design. I, confused and
not knowing anything about design soon came to find that designing was much
more then drawing lines on paper. It took a while I would say about 2 years but
I liked the idea and decided to move forward with designing so I went seeking
the next steps to making my drawings a reality.
UD: What is the best part about your job?
TG: The best part of my job really all
comes down to one thing, that moment when my ideas come to a reality. I love creating;
it gives me a feeling of accomplishment. There aren’t many jobs out there that
allow you to go through the creative process completely; there is nothing
better than, having an idea one day and the next having that idea in physical
form.
UD: What is a typical day like in the life of Timothy George?
TG: Typical day, wake up grab my phone,
check my e-mail (usually there is not much) I’m much more of a phone guy I like
to call people I think e-mail is to impersonal. Then I will check my Twitter and Facebook accounts that is my daily
news. It puts me in the fashion groove, all the tweets (and I actually read
almost all of them) from all around the world are waiting for me to read! Love
That! Once I get to the office I grab a coffee and then I start thinking it’s
funny because when you work for yourself you have to create what is next half
of my day is consumed with thinking what I need to do the other half is doing
it. Most designers who have a start up brand like mine actually don’t design
but 10% of the time, its running the business that they have to do (thank God I
have a very capable business partner that helps me with this). I hate this but
it’s a real reality, so I made a pact with myself that I will not leave the
office unless I created something new. I do this because I refuse to become a
statistic so although it’s a true fact most designers only design 10% of the
time I make sure it’s not true with me, funny thing most of the time I don’t
even use what I made/sketched/draped for a collection but I still need to do
it…it’s all about being loyal to yourself! After I design one new thing my day
is typically by now it’s usually 8-9:00. Back home and well what happens at
home isn’t all that interesting, involves a glass of wine and magazines, and no
I do not watch TV, 3-4 hours a month max!
UD: How do you classify fashion as an art and fashion as a business?
TG: Fashion as an Art, well all fashion is
an art, it’s the art of making something, and like any art you have levels.
High fashion is the art of meticulous detail and innovation such as Haute
Couture and bridge lines or contemporary fashions may be considered “lower”
art. Everything that needs to be created involves some type of art. When it
comes to business the definition of art/fashion becomes a bit different,
fashion as a business turns into an art of creating sales. The business side of
fashion tends to make fashion a bit cheap, not necessarily in a price point
type of way but in the way that many artistic ideas have to be limited.
Sometimes I wish clothing was free! This would create an amazing world of
fashion!
UD: What do you wish you had known before entering the fashion industry?
TG: I will save 10 trees and not answer
this question completely! If I could sum it up in one major sentence it would
be, “understanding that what you see is not exactly what you get”
UD: Being Based in New York, how and in what way does the big apple inspire Timothy George?
TG: I am a huge fan of European fashion
and NYC helps me because we have so many tourists here, it’s so easy to spot
new ideas and new styles of how to wear things and how to uniquely pull off an
outfit.
UD: What types of clothes do you enjoy designing?
TG: I love designing Blazers because you
can incorporate structure and I am a big fan of structured clothing, also I like
to be on top. Blazers are always the last to get put on and the first to be
seen!
UD: How would you describe Timothy George woman? How do you imagine her feeling in your Designs?
TG: The Timothy George woman is
adventurous and a bit rebellious, she does not care to show off a bit and she
knows what looks good on her body. She is romantic, but not only with others
but with herself as well. She knows how she wants to be treated when she is in
my designs she feels unique, she feels covered yet free. Specifically for this
collection she feels like she has armor on, something that allows her to cover
her body but in doing this it frees her to attack what is ahead!
UD: Your Designs are visionary, perfectly crafted and
Glamorous, how do you gain inspiration for your designs?
TG: First I will try to come up with a theme
make a mood board or 5 hah…after that, my actual design inspiration comes from
the draping doll. I love to be hands on; fabric inspires my design when it
comes to draping I love creating lines and creating shapes on the body that
people would not think were possible. If it’s shocking, it’s very Timothy George.
UD: In your newest collection, what was the theme for the collection? And what was the main aesthetics you have used?
TG: This new collection was inspired by
lady Knight. The Jackets and coats all are inspired by armor that a Knight may
wear. If you look close the lines on the jackets all look like layered pieces
of armor plates. Armor requires movement so I was inspired to make the pieces
structured yet light with easy mobility!
UD: From being a huge fan of your collection, I noticed you like to concentrate on the basics and the classic items. Why do you think this is important?
TG: I feel very strongly that classic
items are important to my client therefore that are important to me. Anyone can
make a crazy piece that can be worn to a pool party or to a circus but the
classic items require a unique sensibility in their design. I feel I can
connect with my client when designing something that is worn often and
something that is essential in their wardrobe. It creates a challenge at times,
Yes. But it is worth the result. My client has high expatiations when it comes
to staple items and I am up for the challenge.
UD: What are you currently working on?
TG: I am currently working on sales for
fall and designing my new spring collection.
UD: How would you describe your own personal style?
TG: Anti corporate. If you would see it
in a business meeting you won’t see it on me. Also I don’t wear sweat pants,
just had to make that clear.
UD: Who are your style icons?
TG: I love Jonny Depps style I think he
is never caring what anyone says, and never does what is expected.
UD: What current trend in fashion attracts you the most?
TG: I’m not really into trends because stylists
make trends, that’s their job… mine is to create what is beautiful if it
becomes trend then great!
UD: Who do you most respect in the industry currently?
TG: Any struggling designer, I respect
them because I know what it feels like to devote your life for what you love
and the pain that may come with it.
UD: Where do you see Timothy George in five years?
TG: In Paris.
UD: What’s the best advice you can give a designer who’s just starting out?
TG: You can do Anything you put Other
people’s minds to….it’s all about the Team!
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