Designer Insider - Cat Gendler

Austin's Cat Swanson is loving marriage, thriving in New York and working as the Design Director at Rachel Roy.

Learn more about the perks of going solo, the importance of gaining international experience, the ease of living in New York and the excitement of leading a design team from my Q and A with this 2003 UT Alumni.

Q: What inspired you to start your own collection in 2003?

After designing under Arkadius in London, I had expressed an interest in launching my own collection. Within one month I was offered, by the president of a company called Fashion Music, an opportunity to participate alongside some of the world's leading designers in a fashion show and auction to aid the Prince's Trust at Sotheby's. The opportunity sort of fell in my lap and, because it was the chance of a lifetime, I ran with it and rode the momentum following the show with the launch of my own collection in New York Fashion Week the following September.

(Cat Gendler's Designer Evolution from left to right: 2004 spring/summer Tiger Lily, 2004 fall/winter Imminent Storm, 2005 spring/summer Quetzal, 2005 fall/winter Queen of Shades, 2006 Spring/Summer Silver Sea and 2007 Fall/Winter Rachel Roy)

Q: What are the perks of going solo?

The number one perk is complete and total creative freedom.

Q: What are the draw backs of going solo?

Having to balance running a business with being creative.

Q: What is the importance of living in New York (surrounding creative forces, resources, instant PR and buzz)?

Although I ran my business out of Austin for the first two years, I ended up opening my own showroom in New York City. Not only is there more opportunity for a young designer in New York, but you just make yourself more accessible that way - to the press and to buyers. I did enjoy the mystique of being from Texas, and so did many of the people that I worked with. I think the ideal would have been to eventually be able to have a showroom and sample room in NY but an office and design studio in Austin.

Q: What has been your favorite part of your relativity new position as Designer Director within Rachel Roy?

Working with an amazing team!! Rachel is the epitomy of elegance. Its wonderful to head up design for her and to have two amazing designers to work with on the team!! There is an amazing energy at our workplace, that I have never experienced elsewhere....although my position requires tons of work, it doesn't feel like work because I love what I'm doing and the environment. Also, Rachel recently hired a president from Givenchy, Marianne Tesler, who is an amazing role model in terms of managing a fashion business. So everday, I have the opportunity to push myself creatively and to grow!

Q: What's in the works?

We just wrapped up our Holiday capsule collection and will be closing our Resort collection soon. Then it's on to the big Spring/Summer collection and Fashion Week. In October, Rachel Roy will be opening a shop in what used to be the Plaza Hotel, right on Central Park, which is exciting! Also, my husband, Tomer, is relaunching his made-in-Italy menswear collection in June, which we are really looking forward to.

* Shop Rachel Roy online at net-a-porter.com and several specialty boutiques within the US.

designer insider
posted - beth / 8:13 PM / 05.20.07