Next Big Thing: SOPHOMORE NYC Builds on Successful Tee Shirt Line - Stylehive

Any fashion blog or magazine will tell you to never go out in head-to-toe designer x, as a rule. Sound advice. But every rule has its exceptions, and SOPHOMORE NYC is one exception we're willing to make over, and over, and over. Inspired by the classic, albeit 'rough around the edges' simplicity of downtown New York City, designer Chrissie Miller knew she was onto something when the t-shirts she had originally created for her friends were suddenly the source of increasing demand among celebrities and retailers, with a growing amount of press to match. Miller's next step was teaming up with Madeleine von Froomer, and with Froomer's background at Proenza Schouler, the two started adding versatile pieces to the already successful ultra-soft tees - skirts, dresses, jackets, and hoodies, with SOPHOMORE's signature perfect fit and characteristically edgy downtown attitude. I spoke to Chrissie about how she got her start and where she gets her ideas- read on to see what she told me.

Where It All Began
I went to art school and loved silk-screening so I started making graphic t-shirts for my friends. Then my friend Charlotte Ronson sold the shirts at her store and we got a lot of attention from press and other stores wanting to buy. Then, last year, I expanded the line in to a full men's & women's sportswear collection.

Hitting The Books
We make clothes that we want to wear ourselves. Things we can't find, or just clothes we haven't seen before and want to wear! We are inspired by images from the past but still keep it contemporary. We don't want to be another vintage looking line. Each season we are inspired by different things, we go to the library a lot and search for images.

Growing Up
We are just working on building on what we are doing now, strong basics with more fashion pieces. We don't want to expand too quickly, we would rather grow organically.

You can shop the line at Barney's, Opening Ceremony, and Satine, or at the SOPHOMORE website!

Photo credit: SOPHOMORE NYC