DESIGNER'S DOORWAY

Anait Bian

IN THIS FEATURE: Meet Anait Bian Fashion Focus Details

Why do you love green so much?

AB: SCIENTIFICALLY, I WAS IN SCHOOL FOR BIOLOGY. GREEN IS A GOOD COLOR TO THE EYE. IT IS USED IN HOSPITALS. THE BOARDS IN SCHOOLS ARE GREEN. PEOPLE REACT POSITIVELY TO IT. GREEN IS THE COLOR OF MONEY.

You have several packed closets here in the atelier. What is your strategy for discarding and making room for what’s next?

AB: IF SOMETHING IS MY DESIGN, I NEVER GET RID OF IT. I GET RID OF TEE SHIRTS AND JEANS MOSTLY. I HAVE THIS ONE FLORAL DRESS FORM TEN YEARS AGO. IT IS ONE OF THE FIRST PIECES I MADE WITH VELVET CUT OUTS.

If something is my design, I never get rid of it. I get rid of tee shirts and jeans mostly. I have this one floral dress form ten years ago. It is one of the first pieces I made with velvet cut outs.

– Anait Bian

Any advice on storing cashmere?

AB: I JUST FOLD THEM IN A METAL CABINET. NO PLASTIC BAGS. I WEAR THEM ALL THE TIME, SUMMER AND WINTER.

You’ve lived all over the world, including Paris, Milan, LA. Where do they dress the best?

AB: IN PARIS YOU HAVE TO BE DRESSED CREATIVELY, BUT NOT LIKE A FREAK. IN MILAN, IT’S OVERDONE, TOO POLISHED! ENGLISH WOMEN DO IT BEST. FROM FAR AWAY THEY CAN LOOK LIKE THEY ARE WEARING THRIFT STORE CLOTHES, THEN UP CLOSE YOU SEE THEY ARE WEARING CURRENT DESIGNER PIECES. IT COMES TOGETHER EFFORTLESSLY!