DESIGNER'S DOORWAY

Cindy Greene

IN THIS FEATURE: Meet Cindy Fashion Focus Details

What prompted you to trash six bags of clothes?

CG: I BROUGHT THINGS TO CONSIGNMENT SHOPS. ANYTHING TOO EIGHTIES, ANYTHING THAT DIDN’T FIT. I’M REALLY PROUD THAT I QUIT SMOKING, BUT GAINED WEIGHT. I HAD STRIPED MICRO MINIS, FOR TEENAGE GIRLS.

What is one item in your closet you would never ever discard?

CG: A TINY STUDDED LEATHER JACKET THAT I THRIFTED IN BOSTON 100 YEARS AGO. I’M GOING TO BE CREMATED HOWEVER, SO I WON’T BE TAKING IT TO THE GRAVE.

So that’s the “piece de resistance.” Any other keepers?

(CINDY PULLS A SEXY YSL BLACK DRESS, `SHOCKING PINK’ FROCK, AND GRAY LIBERTINE SWEATER.)

CG: THIS IS BLACK, GORGEOUS, CHIC, CLASSIC COCKTAIL WITH A TWIST. IT’S FROM AN AMAZING OUTLET MALL, JUST OUTSIDE OF FLORENCE. THEY HAVE BURBERRY, YSL, UNGARO. THE PINK UNGARO WOULD NEVER FIT ME BUT I WON’T GET RID OF IT. IT IS SO BEAUTIFUL.

The sweater has a crystal embedded noose on it. What’s the symbolism?

CG: IT'S THE BEAUTIFUL SIDE. IT MEANS SUICIDE, THE CONTEMPLATION. IT'S CREATING CONTRAST BETWEEN MACABRE AND SOMETHING BEAUTIFUL, HAPPY AND SAD. I WOULD WEAR IT WITH JEANS OR A BLACK PENCIL SKIRT. THE SWEATER IS CASHMERE WITH SWAROVSKI CRYSTALS.
IT'S THE PERFECT EXAMPLE OF HOW SOMETHING GOES FROM FINE ART TO FINE CLOTHING. THE GRAPHIC IS BY ATHENA RAZO. SHE'S AN ACTRESS/ARTIST. I SAID, "THAT'S AN AMAZING LIBERTINE GRAPHIC, CAN I USE IT?"

Define your "grown up" closet in terms of genre.

IT'S HALF CASUAL DRESSES; A QUARTER COCKTAIL; AND A QUARTER BLOUSES
(CINDY PULLS TWO INTRICATE SHEER LACE DRESSES. SHE TELLS ME THAT SHE GO AT DKNY WHEN SHE AS CORPORATE APPAREL DESIGN DIRECTOR, ALMOST A DECADE AGO.)