Designer Glossier- Kevin Christiana

Yesterday I spent the day meeting and greeting Project Runway alum Kevin Christiana.  This couldn't have come at a more perfect time as I needed a dose of PR to cure my bad hangover from a not so impressive debut of The Fashion Show.  The difference in the caliber of designers from each show can be summed up in my meeting yesterday.  Kevin is on a huge roll, quietly working on various projects and filling various voids in the market.  Keri Hilson was just photographed in one of his jackets fueling a huge demand and proving that Kevin’s designs will be a success.  He still remains close to the other contestants (Christian Siriano's boyfriend, Brad Walsh, shot that pic of Kevin above!) and I heard whispers about a possible new reality show in the works.  But yesterday, Kevin gave me the low-down on his lines MYNT 1792 and Christiana Zinn.

                           

Immediately I was at ease as Kevin is a fellow Jersey-ite. We practically spent our childhood summers next door to each other at the Jersey Shore scarfing down curly fries and waffles and ice cream.  His office was buzzing with energy.  Just in the time that I was there, a fitting was happening for Kevin’s men’s denim section of MYNT 1792 with former New England Patriot Amos Zereoue.  Finally, a designer that understands that jeans are impossible to find for muscular bodies!  He is creating a cut that works for that exact purpose using the face and the ridiculous body of Amos (which I was lucky enough to catch a glance at while they were measuring his waist) for the line.

  His women’s lines, MYNT 1792 and Christiana Zinn, also are for a body conscious consumer and on trend for an incredible price point.  His men's and women's lines go hand and hand like say Reggie Bush and Kim Kardashian.  Real bodies, real style, at real price points.  Kevin says his strength is in his tailoring.  He excels in fit and told me that he is extremely meticulous when it comes to the minor details of any of his pieces.  And that craftsmanship shows in his ability to keep the price point down without sacrificing the details that a customer really wants.  His women's collection of jackets for MYNT 1792 especially showed this off.  One of my favorites was a wool boyfriend blazer.  The inside is lined with a silk paisley print and the cuffs are done with an adorable stripe…. 

Again, amazing detail and the jackets will start around $125 and up depending on the style.    For Fall, his jackets will take on a military inspired feel fitting right in with the Balmain type of jacket everyone is talking about, but with with a recessionista price.

Kevin also showed me some of the washes for the denim which he explains has sort of a Diesel Lab vibe but with a better American fit rather than an uber-European.  He wanted to keep similar details like zippers and distressing for much more pocket friendly price.  Which works for me, because quite frankly I'm tired of shelling out hundreds of dollars for jeans that only fit waifs.

Launching in the Fall, the MYNT 1792 will be stocked in boutiques and hopefully Scoop.  His Christiana Zinn line is geared more for real sized women and sold in department stores and prices for that line are $125 and under!  Kevin collaborated with the Zinn brothers, thus the name, and says "without them this wouldn't be possible."  You'll definitely want to watch what happens with this one.  He has the recipe and the focus for success with a reminder that Project Runway is still the number one show to showcase designer talent.

Good luck Kevin!  You're fierce!

** Amos Zereoue is not only the face and fit of the Men's Mynt 1792 but he also just opened a restaurant called Zereoue on 37th b/t Park and 5th!   www.zereoue.com      Check it out!

xoxo,

SG