While Michael and Nicole Colovos come from opposite ends of the world – he was born in Spain and raised in Seattle, she was raised in New Zealand –  the couple found each other  in 2002 after they had both relocated to New York to pursue a career in fashion. Since then, the duo launched the denim collection Habitual, served as Co-creative directors of Helmut Lang, and, most recently, founded their Colovos brand. The collection is largely produced in New York’s Garment District, which is one reason the label was selected to be a part of the CFDA’s Born in the USA shop at Fred Segal on Sunset Boulevard. We chatted with the designer duo to find out why domestic manufacturing is so important to their label.

What’s your earliest fashion memory?

Nicole: My mother worked in fashion and I remember as a child playing in the rolls of fabric and sorting buttons into colors and shapes. I also remember how she always looked so chic and elegant.

What inspired you to work in fashion and start your own collection?

Michael: I was intensely drawn to the emotional influence clothing has as a form of expression for the wearer.

How would you describe your brand?

Nicole & Michael: Thoughtfully constructed as to be modern and minimal without being basic.  Sustainably sourced and constructed.

What sets you apart from other designers?

Nicole & Michael: We can’t speak to what motivates other designers. We are focusing on our brand and just making clothing that we are inspired to make.  We are working only with sustainable, organic and non-toxic materials with factories we have close personal relationships with.

Tell us about where your collection is made. Why is it important to you to produce domestically? 

Nicole & Michael: It is important that we know everyone involved in our supply chain, especially our factories and mills.  We have close personal relationships with all of our factories. They are family-owned and operated. The owners are involved in supporting fair wages and conditions.

Describe one career highlight so far.  

Nicole & Michael: Winning the International Woolmark Prize.

Where do you see your brand headed? What are your goals for the future?

Nicole & Michael: We would like to introduce men’s and accessories and continue to fine-tune the adoption of new production methods and materials that don’t harm our planet.

Model: Michelle Li

Photographer: Sabrina Santiago

Fashion Editor: Nicky Campbell