Max & Chloe: When did you know that you wanted to be a designer?
Dara Ettinger: I’ve been designing since I was a little girl. At 8, I carried around a sketchbook and made little designs for clothing and things that I liked. I think I always knew I would do something in fashion!
MC: What inspires you?
DE: I’m inspired by so many things: nature, city streets, people I see every day, an incredible painting. But, mostly, I’m inspired by the stones themselves; I let them inform me how I should create around them to create the most incredible pieces.
MC: Who is your favorite artist (fashion designer, visual artist, musician)?
DE: I love artists who use color and texture in incredible ways, but also incorporate a sense of humor to their work. In fine art, I have always gravitated towards artists like Chuck Close, Van Gogh, Ginny Ruffner, and Carol Cohen, who creates her beautiful work in an incredibly powerful way. In fashion, I can’t get enough of Missoni, Moschino, and began my fashion career hooked on Isaac Mizrahi & Gianni Versace’s collections in the early ’90s.
MC: If you could move anywhere in the world where would it be?
DE: Italy/France.What do you do for fun?I work quite a bit, so when I’m not busy creating my pieces and running the business, spending low-key time with family and friends is my ultimate priority. And, I love to travel.
MC: Who is your ideal customer?
DE: I like to think we have something for everyone, and we’re always striving to satisfy as many tastes as possible. We have customers in their teens, and customers in their 80s; I love that people across the board get excited about what I do. It keeps me energized to continue creating!
MC: If you can give a young designer a piece of advice what would it be?
DE: Follow your dreams; you won’t always know where they’ll take you, but the ride sure is fun!
MC: What can we expect from your next collection?
DE: We’ll always have our classic pieces, but we’re moving towards some fun new vintage-inspired creations, adding our usual unique twist to contemporary designs. Lots more sparkle and shine, and updates to our already amazing classics.
MC: How would you describe your personal style?
DE: My personal style is a mix of different styles; sometimes vintage, sometimes classic, I like to incorporate things I love across the board and arrange them in unusual ways.
MC: What trends are you appreciating right now?
DE: I am loving the whole studded trend right now, from boots to gloves to hair accessories. Sam Edelman’s Lorissa heels are geniusly sexy, and I can’t get enough!
MC: What should every girl have in her closet?
DE: A great-fitting pair of jeans, a trench coat, anything in leopard print, a few pairs of fantastic shoes, and of course, some amazingly unique jewelry pieces.
View Dara Ettinger’s amazing collection at Max & Chloe.