Samuel Vartan's studio is housed in a nondescript industrial park in Cambridge, Massachusetts.
But there is nothing nondescript about the clothes in the Boston-based designer's spring/summer 2010 collection.
A long white dress with a circle of bright ocean blue around the waist. A flowing shirt that was inspired by the sand meeting the water.
"The collection is nicknamed the Mediterranean," Samuel says.
Since Vartan does two collections a year...what is the fall/winter collection called?
"Dark City." he responds. "I have influences from the cities I've been to such as Berlin, Prague and London".
I moved through the studio to the fall/winter collection and was immediately drawn to a black and white tweed dress that had a slight glimmer sewn into it. But then I was distracted by a light grey wool dress that had a short, swing skirt.
So much to see! And so much to talk about.
I was there for over two hours chatting with Vartan about fashion.
He started making clothes for members his rock band back home in Montreal. Then his bandmates' girlfriends wanted clothes too. At first it was just a way to make money, but it slowly turned into a career.
He doesn't have a formal design education. He learned by doing. When he read that his fashion icon, Giorgio Armani, also didn't have a degree from a fashion school he felt an even bigger connection to the fashion giant.
Even though Vartan is a part of the fashion world, he told me that at times, "the industry can be silly."
That sentiment is why Vartan doesn't create over the top clothes.
"Anyone can wear my clothes."
I can certainly see why they would want to.
His designs run the gamut of fabrics and ideas.
Vartan works with everything from velvet to boucle to tweed and suede in his fall/winter collection.
Definitely something for everyone.
His clients are mostly European and Canadian (a large amount come from Montreal). He does have a few boutiques that carry his clothes here in the States. Stores in New York, Miami and Los Angeles.
Although anyone can wear his clothes, his design aesthetic speaks to a style-minded, sophisticated woman in a big city.
Vartan's designs reflect that sophistication, but with a simplicity that makes his collection ready to wear.
I was definitely ready to wear some of the pieces I pulled off of the racks.
A black and white tweed sheath dress with a thin belt, tights and a pair of tall boots...that long brocade jacket with a short dress to have the juxtaposition with the fabrics and the length of each piece.
Vartan likes that his clients express themselves through their clothes. And there are plenty of ways to do that with Vartan's designs.
But he knows that fashion is fleeting.
"Fashion is here today gone tomorrow, but style lasts."
And Vartan is a fashion designer who is definitely here to stay.
Although he did get an offer a lot of designers would have loved to receive.
But he turned it down.
A chance to compete on "Project Runway".
He said thanks, but no thanks because he didn't want to be involved in the pettiness and backstabbing with other designers.
He was happy with the way his fashion career was heading.
Vartan is a Boston-based designer with a world of knowledge.
As for that regret that he didn't go to school for fashion?
I think he's doing ok without it. And I think his many clients would agree.
Find more about Samuel at his website: http://www.samuelvartan.com/
