Photos by Dani Mac
I had never really met Lindsay Degen in person, but as an emerging designer myself I was always aware of her fun knit creations and had to know more about the imaginative mind behind them! So off to the Brooklyn Navy Yard I went to see what was buzzing in her wild studio as she and her team prepared for their S/S 16 show. I immediately wanted a Brooklyn studio of my own as I walked into DEGEN's space -- a concrete studio filled with rainbow spools of yarn and racks of colorful samples -- and left so inspired by the fact that the craft of a designer making her own garments, crafting them from start to finish with a small team, still exists. It's almost a retro ideal, with the slew of fast fashion brands and wealth-endorsed collections that exist nowadays by designers that only create in concept. It's an alluring approach, that the making of something is as much of the art as the idea, and I can't wait to see the amazing things this quickly rising designer dreams up (and makes) in the future. Get to know more about Lindsay Degen and her NYC life in her CULT Chat below>>
WHY NEW YORK CITY?
It seems like the only place to do fashion seriously in the US. I do like that it is pretty easy to get out of the city for the weekend, though -- I'm not a city person.
THE CITY NEVER SLEEPS...WHAT TIME DID YOU GET TO BED LAST NIGHT?
I go to bed early but last night it was more like midnight. I played the video game "journey" which I highly recommend, and packed because Im moving out of my apartment this week.
PLAY HOST FOR US... WHERE WOULD YOU TAKE US FOR
COFFEE - Brooklyn Roasting Co. in Dumbo
DINNER - Franks in the LES
COCKTAILS - The Narrows in Bushwick
PARTYING - Someone's backyard!
WHO ARE YOU LISTENING TO RIGHT NOW?
Sean Nicholas Savage and Mac DeMarco and Beck.
Lindsay's S/S 16 DEGEN presentation and collaboration with My Little Pony with a set featuring the art of Chris Uphues
FAVORITE PROJECT SO FAR?
I cant wait until you see this season. We are collaborating with My Little Pony and they basically let me do whatever I wanted. The set is also going to be amazing.
ANY CREATIVES YOU WANT TO COLLABORATE WITH?
I am pretty lucky to have easy access to the artists I want to collaborate with. This season I am working with Chris Uphues.
ARE YOU A "REGULAR" ANYWHERE?
There is a coffee shop/ pie place in my neighborhood called The Blue Stove. They know my order.
DREAM DINNER PARTY -- WHICH 7 GUESTS WOULD YOU INVITE?
Lil Wayne, Elon Musk, Don DeVito, Guy Fieri, Patti Smith, Whoopi Goldberg, Martha Stewart
WHERE DO YOU SHOP?
Mostly old DEGEN looks and Print All Over Me.
Lindsay's assistant, Amy Cakes, with Lindsay in DEGEN's Brooklyn studio
DO YOU HAVE A MUSE?
I guess my good friend and assistant at DEGEN. Amy Cakes can pull off a million different looks and aways looks confident and amazing.
FAVORITE SPOT IN THE CITY?
My studio balcony in the Navy Yard has the best view of the city.
NYC FOREVER?
No way. Id rather be in the hills somewhere.
MOTTO YOU LIVE BY?
Hunger is the best sauce.
WOULD YOU RATHER
CINDY CRAWFORD or KATE MOSS
MORNING OR NIGHT
UPTOWN OR DOWNTOWN
Kate, Morning, Downtown (but really North Brooklyn)
WEBSITE: www.degen.us
INSTAGRAM: @lindsaydegen
