GETTING TO KNOW CAYCEE BLACK
"What truly matters most to me is that every piece makes a genuine connection with each person, filling them with the sense of empowerment and elegance when worn." -Caycee Black
Shop The Hansel Button Back Blouse in Broken Bark . It just went on sale.
So bummed to have missed this beauty at Tulsa Fashion Week this year. Her dark whimsical style sooooo resonates with me and I want one of everything she touches. Her designs are captivating and she just sounds like someone I want to spend the entire day with! She's like the coolest girl in the neighborhood. And with so many new designers emerging every season, it might be hard to keep up. I thought it might be nice to introduce you to a few of the brands I have either just discovered or have been stalking for a while now (yep Caycee..stalking you girlfriend) that perhaps you might have missed! This is the one to watch. There is such a fun mix of silhouettes that feel both modern and uniformly distinct. The prints are just the right amount of wild and most importantly they are all pieces you can easily see living in that wardrobe of yours. They will never go out of style and I love that as I really want to just purchase the essentials currently. Serious intrigue.
(Shop the Mirage Asymmetrical layered skirt in denim organza here. And pair it with the amazing Pyramid Crop Top in Painted Houndstooth. )
Caycee Black is a graduate from Parsons School of Design. After six years in the fashion industry designing for companies such as: Anna Sui, Club Monaco, Tibi, and Reed Krakoff, Caycee launched her namesake line in Fall 2009. The collection revolves around her original paintings which she has translated into fabric prints. Her line has received numerous honors, most recently as best new designer by WWD, Lucky Magazine and Vogue.com.uk. She has dressed musicians and celebrities from the likes of Regina Spector, The Cults, Solange Knowles, Cat Sadler, Michelle Williams and Drew Barrymore. The Caycee Black Collection's central focus of design originates with three-dimensional paintings fitted for those who refuse to simply assimilate to their environment. The collections revolve around Caycee's art which is turned into fabric and creates a new story each season. Caycee is able to do some incredible story telling in each piece without really having to say a word.
I know she will inspire you the way she inspires me. And now we just need to decide which Caycee Black Collection piece we will be adding to our closets! P.S...she's from Texas and you all know how I feel about that being a Texas girl myself!! We love big hair but we love big hearts too AND big personal style! So excited for you to get to know Caycee as we discuss childhood, her recent collections, hair secrets and new goals for 2017 including tapping into the Bridal Market!!! OMG!!! If I ever get married I will be wearing a Caycee Black Collection bridal gown!
"To me, fashion surpasses far beyond what is captured on the runway or in magazines. Fashion is life, surrounding you, becoming a part of you, and foremost, it is Art. For me personally, it was never about trends, but about self-expression, finding the ultimate balance between creativity, reality and functionality, and most importantly, being able to share my story through my collection. " -Caycee Black
CAYCEE BLACK INTERVIEW:
-Describe Caycee Black in three words.
Playful, Dark, Artistic
The gorgeous Caycee Black Basma Kaftan in Painted Houndstooth....
-I love that you are not afraid to take chances with prints: advice to the woman who sticks to solids in that closet??
My prints start as a piece of art from my paintings which originate from a story I want to tell. I would say I chose prints that you feel emotionally drawn to and mix in with solids. A two color print is an easy way to ease in!
Shop the Juniper Black Patent Clutch With Removable Chain.....and the gorgeous Liquid Ink Painted Shirt!
-Is there a symbol that would represent you. And if so, why?
I would say a black horse is my personal symbol as it represents power, grace, beauty, nobility, strength, freedom and of course the black symbolizing darkness. These are all attributes I like in myself and aim to stand by throughout my life no matter what life brings. I also grew up riding horses and was painfully shy as a child so I felt the horses understood me without speaking.
Shop Caycee's horse printed T and sweatshirt ...........
-In this industry, do you always have to look fashionable? And what do you wear when you are more relaxed?
I believe my clothing is always an extension of my mood or what I am feeling inspired by. I will dress Gothic Victorian one day and Valley of the Dolls the next. When I am in relaxed clothing it is all about knit wear! I love designing knit wear and I love wearing it!
Caycee wearing her Caycee Black Sultan Short Skort.
-What do you spend most of your money on?
Omg....vintage clothes and shoes!
-What sort of a child were you?
I was a shy dreamy spirited child that expressed myself through ballet and painting.
-Last good deed you did?
I am working with a non profit charity called Free Arts and donating a % of sales at my new trunk show to them. My overall vision for my company is to create art that gives back! My previous trunk show I donated to badass Brooklyn animal rescue!
Soooooo dreamy in The Caycee Black Sahar Long Skort in Printed Houndstooth......
-Do you have a muse?
I don't think I have one muse. My brain is like a kaleidoscope of moments, colors, decades, textures, and inspiration. I usually end up choosing 2 or 3 stories and combine them into the one story for each collection.
-Do you ever get designer's block and how do you overcome it?
No, I don't really get that actually. I have the opposite problem of editing! I have a lot of ideas coming at me all the time and I feel like there isn't enough time to get them all in. But I do know when it's time for me to put down my paintings and come back the next day. Usually I just need to walk my dog and get a fresh perspective on them.
-What was your plan B?
I don't have a plan B actually. I have always been that way. When I applied for college at Parsons School of Design, everyone asked what if you don't get in. I remember saying well I guess I will have to rethink what I want to do. I do have another love that has entered my life and that is acting. I recently produced a film where I am lead actress and wardrobe! I love combining all the loves of my life!
- What would you change about yourself?
I have a big heart (see Texas girls do..we just do) and it has gotten broken easily in the past. I would go back and tell my younger self to keep moving in my life and how great it is going to be!
- Where would you like to be in the world right now?
Right where I am writing this in my studio in Brooklyn with my dog Falkor on my lap.
Gorgeous Caycee Black Khalifa Long Sleeve Top in Denim...
- It would be your dream to be stuck on the ski lift with...?
Ohhhhhh.....Tom Hardy!
-Oldest thing in your closet?
A pair of Valentino pants from the 1940's. I love that era!
-So you have the best hair??!! You must reveal your hair secrets!!
Omg! Thank you! Hmmm, well I have a great stylist at the Karcher Salon here in Greenpoint. Oh and I do a Davines hair masque twice a week.
-Fave places to visit in your hometown of Houston?
That is easy! I love The Menil Collection and The Rothko Chapel. Both make me feel inspired and are very spiritual places for me.
( Shop the gorge Caycee Black Dripping Polka Dot Large Tote)
-The things you miss most about NYC when you are traveling?
All the yoga class options!
-Tulsa Fashion Week..?? What were some of your fondest memories? How do you celebrate the success of a good show?
Oh the people! I loved everyone involved with it and all the new people I met. I celebrated the success of a good show with some whiskey, dancing, and late night pizza! I love late night food.
- What is your secret skill?
I am an amazing primal screamer. I do this once a week in my acting class as an abandonment exercise. I got my first feature film row by primal screaming.
-Coffee or tea?
Coffee! Oh wait..both. Dirty Chai Latte!
-Advice to the woman waking up and getting ready this morning?
Be gentle towards yourself and know you are enough just as you are.
-You are designing something special for me personally for an event..what would it be??!
Ohhhh I love this! Hmmm, depends on the event. I would say a printed ballgown and metallic crop gentleman jacket!
- Fave pieces from Spring 2016?
My Mirage Silk Organza Skirt, Basma Kaftan Gown, and The Dubai Horse Gown!
- Can you give us a sneak peak of what we can expect from The Caycee Black Collection for 2017?
Well, I will be coming out with a Dark Carnival film showcasing the collection.....my spring collection Dollhouse Dream and starting to build my new Bridal/Bridesmaid Collection that will launch for the 1st time ever in October 2017.
IMAGE FROM DARK CARNIVAL COLLECTION SNEAK PEAK!!
- What's next for Caycee?
I am excited to find out this as well! HA! What I have planned are the new collections I mentioned above. A new website for the wedding collection and more trunk shows around the U.S in the Spring that donate a % to local charities. Ohhh and acting and producing more films!
OHHHHH-LA_LA....This babe! I think I would want to be stuck on a ski lift with Caycee.
Shop her collection here! And throughout the post! Currently adding some things to my list for Santa! And maybe one day when I become the "It-Girl", I will get my very own special present from Caycee delivered to my door!!!
Xo
Sam
(All photography belongs to Caycee Black)