Since New York-based designer Tayna Taylor launched her own clothing line four years ago, she has managed to put a new and interesting spin on the printed designs we have been seeing in women’s contemporary fashion. Known for her vivacious prints and unique details, Taylor does not let the dull winter season make her clothes any less playful and bright. “In different seasons I have to play with layering and texture and do colors in moment rather than in the summer where everything is fresh and colorful,” she said during an interview at Saks Fifth Avenue.
Taylor showcased her capsule collection exclusive to the retailer, which consists of 15 pieces from her main fall collection and seven additional pieces that were designed in collaboration with Swarovski and are adorned with hand-embellished crystals and holographic sequins. Taylor says there is a “laissez faire attitude in this collection, a lot of playful details that feel light hearted and energetic.” Think adorable dresses and tops featuring beaded flamenco dancers and vibrant silk tassels. This collection in particular boasts a ton of personality sure to make any outfit more fun.
Different from her other clients, “Texans are very expressive, they go for fun, playful and glam everyday, not just at night,” Taylor said. “Houston is an interesting market for us because the Houston customer is attracted to our color and femininity, it feels like Texan women can really relate.”
Taylor is also a favorite of first lady Michelle Obama, who wore a dress from Taylor's fall '16 collection to the final White House holiday party last month and invited Taylor to a star-studded goodbye bash at the White House.
All of the bright and ingenuous prints that are featured in all of Taylor’s designs are inspired by her personal paintings. For her latest collection, she traveled to Capri and Cuba with her paint supplies in tow and before she knew it, the prints for her latest collection were born.
After studying finance in her native Canada, Taylor realized she needed to pursue her love of color and creativity and enrolled in the Fashion Studies program at Parsons School of Design. She believes her background in finance helped her create a solid foundation for starting her own business. “Finance and entrepreneurship need to be centered around building an aspect for art. There needs to be some structure to what creativity you are building so it doesn’t run wild,” she said.
Look out for more of Taylor in an upcoming three-month-long pop-up retail shop with the Council of Fashion Designers of America (CFDA) sponsored by Cadillac where there will be old Cadillacs covered in Taylor’s signature prints at the company's New York headquarters in Soho.
“ I am hoping to get a strong base of women involved with the brand,” she said.
Designer Tanya Taylor
