DESIGNER'S DOORWAY

Sari Gueron

IN THIS FEATURE: Meet Sari Fashion Focus Details

On view: an apricot Lanvin dress, with rhinestones at neck, black ribbon at the back.

LR: THE TAGS ARE STILL ON IT. DON’T FEEL BAD ABOUT LETTING IT GO IF IT IS SOMETHING NOT USED OR NEEDED.

SG: I’LL KEEP IT IN MY CLOSET, JUST TO SEE. I TRADED WITH A FRIEND FOR ONE OF MY PIECES, BUT I HAVEN’T WORN IT.

How has your aesthetic changed/evolved in the past six years?

SG: NOW, I PREFER A RELAXED ELEGANCE. IT’S COMPLIMENTING THE CUSTOMER. NOT OBVIOUS. BETTER FABRIC, DETAILS. INNOVATIVE DETAILS THAT OVERTAKE THE WHOLE DRESS. THAT’S WHY I’M INSPIRED BY VIONNET. IT’S CLASSIC. YOU CAN STILL WEAR HER CLOTHES. SHE WAS A WOMAN WHO DESIGNED FOR WOMEN.

Next Piece: Three quarter red vintage dress that resembles a nightgown worn by a soap opera star

LR: WHAT IS IT?

SG: MAYBE ONE DAY, I’LL BE COOKING AND I’LL WEAR IT, LIKE A SEXY SEVENTIES MOM MAKING BREAKFAST. BUT IT NEVER HAPPENED. OR IT WOULD BE GOOD FOR HALLOWEEN. I ALWAYS DRESS UP. I WAS PELE, THE GODDESS OF FIRE WHEN I PAINTED MYSELF. OR THE GODDESS OF SPRING WHERE I WORE FLOWERS. ONCE I WAS A VENUS FLYTRAP, THAT EVIL FLOWER.

Next Piece: tiny white cotton toddler dress

SG: THIS IS FOR A TWO YEAR OLD. I USED IT FOR ONE OF MY SPRING DESIGNS. VICTORIAN CHILDREN’S CLOTHING INSPIRED ME.

Next Piece: Black dress that seems to have been sheared by Edward Scissorhands

SG: THIS IS MY GRADUATION DRESS. AT RISDY, YOU PAINT YOUR GOWN. WHEN I INTERNED AT GALLIANO, HE GAVE ME COTTON TEE SHIRTS TO SLASH. HE USED IT FOR THE SHOW, WHICH WAS VERY EXCITING.

MYCLOSET.COM: HOW DID YOU SHRED THAT GOWN INTO ART?

SG: IT DIDN’T TAKE THAT LONG, WITH A RAZOR. YOU EYEBALL IT. SO YOU DON’T DRAW ANYTHING BEFOREHAND.

LR: YOU WANT TO KEEP OUT WHAT YOU WEAR. IT’S VALUABLE REAL ESTATE. WE’LL SPLIT THE PERSONAL ARCHIVE AND THE BUSINESS ARCHIVE.

Next Piece: Vintage white shirt with embroidered red cherries on it.

SG: I THOUGHT…. THE SHIRT OVER A BATHING SUIT AND JEANS IN THE SUMMER… I’M NEVER GOING TO WEAR IT!

Next Piece: Big bulky multi weave Ralph Lauren.

SG: I GOT IT FROM A GUY FRIEND. I WEAR IT TO WALK THE DOG.

Next Pieces: Two pairs of leather pants Sari designed.

SG: I HAVEN’T WORN THEM RECENTLY, BUT YOU NEVER KNOW WITH ME. ONE FITS LIKE A LEGGING AND THE OTHER FITS LIKE A JEAN.