A while ago, I was notified of a new branch of Qi Designs, Ainsley. This new line was fresh, refined, and had a cool sophistication. The inspiration for this collection were the 70′s fashion icons: Ali McGraw, Diane Keaton, and Bianca Jagger.
I admired the pieces and when you break it down, each item is so versatile and wearable. So, I emailed Qi: Ainsley and I got an interview with Kosi, Ainsley’s marketing manager.
How did you get started into fashion?
It really started in junior year in May 2002 high school, I was part of a job-shadowing day and I was paired with a PR account executive who did fashion marketing/pr and I loved it. She told me she went to FIT and after that day, I was set on having a career in fashion marketing. So I went to FIT, majored in Advertising and Marketing communications, plus working part-time at Starbucks. I got internships at LaROK and Zooyork. My first job out of college was girlshop being a buying department liason, then I moved on to Qi Cashmere where I have been at for 4 years.
What makes the Ainsley collection so unique?
The collection has a lot of styles that are not body conscious so it is not limited to one type of body. Ainsley has pieces that are modern yet still fashionable that the consumer would buy and wear more than once — pieces that she can wear from season to season.
You mentioned that the design inspiration for the collection is 70′s dressing. What drew you to the fashion icons of this generation?
The ladies were independent and they showed their sophistication/sex-appeal by mixing styles together. It is the creativity the women expressed in early 70′s that really inspired us.
What do you think of the current state of the the fashion industry?
The market is flooded with impractical and unflattering looks that really have no purpose. It has been so item-driven that women get frustrated in the wardrobe process not knowing how to create looks for themselves. The consumer is tired of seeing the same designs and overpaying on items that were trend-driven. She would have to buy a completely different wardrobe each season, which is unrealistic in the world we live in.
What are some key fashion pieces that every woman should own?
- Black Blazer
- Statement Necklace
- Little Black Dress
- Oversized Watch
- Beige Trenchcoat
- White Shirt
- Cashmere Cardigan
- Leather motorcycle jacket
- Black leather bag (like the A.Wang Donna duffel)
What are your signature items or best-sellers?
The Marisa Tweed Jacket has been on everyone’s order, other signature items include the Montague Leather Vest, Lynn Cabled Wrap Coat, and Sacha Sweater.
How is Qi Cashmere different from the Ainsley collection?
Qi represents a classification, having established its own identity in the knitwear world—with a focus on cashmere. With Ainsley, there were no restrictions. It is a lifestyle collection consisting of many different luxurious fabrics and yarns from Italy, offering shirts, pants, skirts, outerwear in new exciting fabrications such as washed silk, stretch leather, wool challis, mole skin, and tweeds. Ainsley features items such as a long stretch leather vest with knit trims, Russian prints on wool challis, a mole skin jacket with faux fur trim, and a stretch leather dress.
Describe the woman who would wear Qi: Ainsley.
The woman that would wear Ainsley is tired of seeing the same designs and overpaying on items that look very costumey. She is very modern, put together, she is into quality not quantity and she looks for clothes that she can mix and match (i.e for work, Sunday brunch, art in the Lower East Side).
Where can you find Qi: Ainsley products?
We will be sold consumer direct at www.ainsleyny.com speciality stores in NYC, Atlanta, Los Angeles, and Chicago. By the way, Barney’s Japan did pick up the line.
For more information, go to: http://www.ainsleyny.com
All images provided by Ainsley.
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Nice! I’ve never heard of Qi Designs so thanks for sharing. I really like the key fashion pieces she mentioned too.
I love how you get interviews for us. I never heard of this brand before but I enjoyed learning about it. I’m all for quality over quantity…trendy stuff that you don’t love is pointless. It seems like I still need “essential” pieces in my wardrobe…no leather jacket, black blazer, black bag, oversized watch, etc….
oh great interview questions! and i love the classic lines and styles of Ainsley. now i gotta find if they sell it somewhere in Dallas!
Great interview Jess