You also spent time working for CFDA Member brands The Row and Gabriela Hearst. What did you take away from your experience that has helped you in your role today? Both The Row and Gabriela Hearst are very different brands from Silvia Tcherassi, so they presented very unique experiences for me. As reflected in their craftsmanship, I found the whole work culture at the Row to be all about perfectionism. It is very organized and they encourage all aspects of the company to be this way. Everything about the brand is meticulous: From the simplest task of packing a garment bag for a press outlet to the art they choose for their Instagram feed. My time there really emphasized on how there is a whole world behind a brand, it’s not just a clothing line. As Ready-to-Wear Director, I want to make sure that everything we do is a reflection of what we stand for as a brand. At Gabriela Hearst, I learned so much about sustainability, mindfulness and changed some of my habits along the way. I hate to say it, but I used to constantly buy plastic water bottles. GH is plastic free and all of their employees would bring reusable water bottles. Being in that environment made me very conscious about plastic. In many ways, Silvia Tcherassi has always been an environmentally-conscious brand, but working at Gabriela Hearst made this even more of a priority for me and to this day, I have applied a lot of what I learned at my time there.
You’re also a recent graduate of Parsons. What has your experience been like stepping into such a large creative role at such a young age?
Even though I have only completed a year at Silvia Tcherassi, I have been involved with the brand since I was a child. As I mentioned, since age 6, my mom has been taking me to Como, Italy, where we design our fabrics, to understand the process. I have also been going to the studio with her since I was a baby in the stroller. My first “real job” was as salesperson in our store in Miami. I worked every Saturday during high school. So after graduating from Parsons, I felt that I was very prepared and excited for my role.
Can you describe your personal and working relationship with your mother, Silvia?
My mother and I have a great relationship. It is one based in respect. She is the person I admire and respect the most. Although I’m younger and have less experience than her, she also always respects and appreciates my opinion. I know many families that work together have a rule about not speaking about work at home, but for us, it is the opposite. I would not say we have a separate work/personal relationship. We both love what we do so much that it is one relationship. We speak about work at home and vice versa.
What is your vision for the future of the Silvia Tcherassi brand?
To further grow and globalize our sales channels, to have a more conscious approach to the industry, and to develop the world of Silvia Tcherassi beyond fashion. I feel the pandemic has shown us how unpredictable life can be and it is important for a brand to be prepared for these obstacles and have the ability to adapt. My vision for the future of Silvia Tcherassi is to keep evolving and have the capacity to reinvent ourselves while keeping our strong brand DNA. I think this is the key for longevity and relevance.
Discover the Silvia Tcherassi collection here.
