DESIGNER ON THE RISE
Katie Ermilio’s Modern Classics
When I first met Katie Ermilio, she was a lovely fashion intern at Vogue. It wasn’t until we worked together at Teen Vogue, however, that I really noticed her immaculate style and refined personal aesthetic. It was no surprise then to discover that her eponymous fashion line, which was launched less than two years ago, has meet with critical acclaim and success so quickly. Featured in WWD, InStyle, Lucky and a host of other media outlets, Ermilio’s collections are classically elegant, likely intended for a modern-day Grace Kelly. (It’s no coincidence that her grandfather was Kelly’s personal clothier!)
“I began my career as a designer creating custom clothing for a private clientele while I was still in school,” reveals Ermilio. “Though all of the women who buy my clothes are individuals, the one thing they have in common is that they’re interested in building a wardrobe of high quality clothing that they will wear and love for life. They’re drawn to my work for the acute tailoring, flattering lines and modern play on classics.”
Accordingly, structured pieces such as blazers and fitted shorts have a strong role in each collection, as do luxe fabrications such as lace and silk. “I am constantly bringing strong tailoring and traditional construction techniques into my work,” Ermilio notes. For Spring 2011, the designer focused on deconstructing the traditional blazer by marrying it to a smoking jacket, for example.
“I’ll start with a specific central color that I can’t get enough of, or a piece of fabric that I’m dying to work with, and then use that as the springboard for the rest of the line,” she explains. “I build a collection by creating that first great piece and then design the rest of the collection around it.”
Next month, the line will present its first ever presentation during New York Fashion Week. Expect to see influences of traditional menswear, an emphasis on layering, unexpected architectural elements, and brightly saturated colours. And a lot more of this young talent.
For more information, visit katieermilio.com.
