Fashion in New York has become diluted

An internationally recognised American fashion designer, Katie Gallagher’s collections have been celebrated by Vogue, The Cut, Elle, Glamour, Refinery 29, W, Interview and Nylon, among many others, for her attention to detail, superior craftsmanship, and creativity. In an interview with Fibre2Fashion, the designer expresses her love for New York and shares her thoughts on upcoming trends.

Fibre2Fashion: When did your love affair with fashion begin? How would you describe the emotion?

Katie Gallagher:

I’m not sure if I’d call it a love affair with fashion, but a love affair with design and creating stories through clothing as my medium. I love patternmaking and figuring out how to make a garment/style ‘new’ and interesting with pattern work. I used to vintage shop a lot as a teenager and try to make whatever I sourced fit me on my grandmother’s 60’s Singer sewing machine. I think it started there. Then, I started making things from scratch, I didn’t care about pre-made patterns. I basically took fabric and made it into things based on what I thought would work. Later, when I got accepted into Rhode Island School of Design, ideally to major in painting, I shifted that decision and majored in apparel design. The first thing I made was a dress entirely from metal springs. I even crafted the springs. Eventually that dress was worn by American singer-songwriter Lady Gaga.

F2F: What drives you to design today? What inspires you to design one season after another?

KG:

I love to design. Believe me, if I didn’t love what I do, I wouldn’t do it. It is hard work and I’ve suffered a lot in this industry to simply survive. It’s like a competition that does not end. I am a pretty competitive person, for better or for worse.

F2F: Who is your target audience? Where is the clientele majorly from (in terms of geographies)?

KG:

Anyone, since I do a vast range of styles and pieces. I do everything from leggings and swimwear to outwear and gowns. I tend to think that I wouldn’t design something that I wouldn’t personally wear. I think my collections grow with me. I do still include pieces that have become a part of me and my brand aesthetic, whether I can wear them or not today.

F2F: What do you find most exciting and, conversely, most challenging about fashion in the New York City?

KG:

F2F: What does sustainability mean for you?

KG:

F2F: What is the signature style or niche of your brand and how difficult is it for a designer to stick to a particular niche or signature style?

KG:

F2F: What is the one current trend that you see on the runway today that can become a rage among fashionistas going forward?

KG:

I have always been obsessed with leggings and other body con pieces. I love flare legging right now and just loose cuts in general, keeping my lines alive.

F2F: Where do you want to see your label five years from now?

KG:

Oh, in five years, I’d be a millionaire, with everyone wearing my designs as a staple. In all seriousness, if the right company comes my way, like always, I’m not opposed to designing for other brands, to both gain knowledge and to share mine.