DESIGNER'S DOORWAY

Anait Bian

IN THIS FEATURE: Meet Anait Bian Fashion Focus Biography

If you could only shop at one store, which would it be?

AB: BARNEYS! THEY ALWAYS BRING IN SOMETHING NEW AND EDGY. IF I HAVE TO BUY JEANS, I GO THERE. THEY ALWAYS BRING IN THE LATEST THING. I HAVE FIVE PAIRS RIGHT NOW AND I CAN’T REMEMBER WHAT LABELS. I LIKE SKINNY CUTS.

Survival of the fittest: What is one item in your closet that you will never get rid of?

AB: A LUCIEN PELLET-FINET CASHMERE SWEATERS IN PINK AND GREEN WITH A BIG POD LEAF ON THE BACK. HE GAVE IT TO ME AS A GIFT IN 2000. I STILL WEAR IT WITH PANTS OR TIGHT JEANS. OH MY GOD, I HAVE SO MANY CASHMERE SWEATERS!

Who makes your favorite pair of jeans? Shoes? Dress or Suit?

AB: FAVORITE SHOES ARE FENDI, AT THE MOMENT. BUT I ALSO LIKE THE PRADAS THAT I AM WEARING. I LIKE PLATFORMS. THEY SHAPE YOUR LEG AND THEY ARE EASY TO WALK IN.

In addition to fashion classes at both Parsons and F.I.T., you have a Biology degree, and studied art. What was your first hands on fashion experience?

AB: MY GRANDMOTHER WAS VERY CREATIVE. SHE USED TO MAKE CLOTHES, HAND CROCHET STUFF IN ARMENIA, AND THEN LA. SHE TAUGHT ME TO KNIT AND CROCHET. I MADE AMAZING SPREADS FOR COFFEE TABLES, TOPS. LOOK AT THE CROCHET FLOWERS ON SOME OF MY DRESSES.

What’s the dressing philosophy behind your collection?

IF YOU DON’T SHOW A WAIST, THEN SHOW YOUR LEGS. YOU ALWAYS REPLACE SOMETHING WHEN ANOTHER HAS BEEN TAKEN AWAY. IF A WOMAN HAS A BIG WAIST, IT CAN BE COVERED, BUT THEN MAKE IT SHORT, TO SEE GREAT LEGS.

You seem to like curve hugging shapes.

AB: I DON’T LIKE BOXY FORMS THAT DON’T SHOW THE BODY AT ALL. MY MOTHER ASKED ME TO DO SOMETHING IN A SIZE 18, A FITTED SKIRT AND JACKET. SHE LOOKED SO GREAT. IF YOU ARE A LARGE SIZE AND PUT YOURSELF IN SOMETHING FITTED IT IS MORE FLATTERING. BOXY MAKES YOU LOOK BIGGER THAN YOU ARE.

Do you have any muses, for example actresses?

AB: CATHERINE DENEUVE. BELLE DE JOUR IS MY FAVORITE MOVIE EVER. SURREAL. GREAT SHAPES. COLORS THAT ARE STRONG. ALSO FASSBINDER MOVIES FROM THE FORTIES. I’M NOT A BIG FAN OF NEW ACTRESSES AT ALL.