Having won the 2011 Ecco Domani Fashion Foundation award, Study NY sustainable designer Tara St. James is busier than ever. Though her summer has been primarily devoted to finalizing her spring 2012 collection, including making plans for her Fashion Week presentation, she's found some time to see family and invent some of the most creative popsicle flavors we've ever heard. The highlight: taking in a classic summer parade led by none other than Jean Paul Gaultier.
Summer Getaway:
I went home to Montreal for a few days to visit friends and family. I thought it would be much cooler up there so I packed sweaters and trousers. My family laughed at me the whole trip! It was great though, despite my inadequate apparel. I saw the Jean Paul Gaultier show at the Museum of Fine Arts, and I happened to be there for the parade the city threw in his honour. He walked on the street in front of the parade, it was one of the most exciting moments of my life. He's the reason I studied fashion design!
Warm-Weather Activity:
In theory, outdoor films! But the truth is I haven't had time to go to one yet.
Beat the Heat Solutions:
Inventing new popsicle flavors. So far I've got Malibu-pineapple-basil, rum-mango-chili and gin-cucumber-mint. You've got to eat them right out of the freezer, though!
Summer Workload:
Working on spring '12 and trying to figure out what I'm going to do for Fashion Week.
Summer Memory:
Trips to Maine every summer with my mom and brother. We'd spend days at the beach and evenings playing in the hotel pool. We're actually all meeting up there again at the end of August. I can't wait!
Summer Uniform:
I've been wearing striped tees with various high-waisted short-shorts all summer. I have eight different versions of the French navy tee, including a few from my own collection, so I've been trying to wear a different one every day.
Summer Anthem:
"Rapunzel" by Drapht
Summer Style Icon:
Caroline Issa from Tank Magazine. She always looks so polished and fresh. I get the feeling she never sweats.
NYC Vacation-for-a-Day:
The MoMA, the Met, the Natural History Museum and the Guggenheim—lots of inspiration and they're overly air-conditioned, which is great!
