We are all apart of a very exciting time in our world. Although our economy may be down right this moment, it is a wonderful time to able to be expressive and innovative. It seems as if we are just waiting for the next thing to come and take us all by storm. That prospect is Cody Ross. This financial analyst turned designer is the future of fashion. As creative director of influential label Priestess NYC, Ross has stimulated the art of design and is making fashion fun again. The dynamism of his creativity and conspicuous intelligence shines through in the construction of his garments. For the Spring 2009 collection, you can expect a slew of beautiful jumpsuits in an assortment of hues, cheerful Mickey Mouse print jumpers, distressed denim skirts, and powerful, statement-making dresses. In addition to garments, Priestess offers fun, futuristic necklaces and bangles that are the talk of the town when worn. The label was featured in publications like Nylon, Teen Vogue, i-D, Dazed and Confused and WWD, and is currently available in stores like Bloomingdale’s and Henri Bendel.
Tell us a bit about yourself:
From Dallas, Texas. I attended the London School of Economics and for many years worked as financial analyst focusing on Asia/China investing. Spent all my free-time looking at fashion mags, dressing/styling cool girls and finally quit my job and launched Priestess NYC a few seasons ago (in late 2007).
What made you decide you wanted to become a designer? When? Why?
Fashion has always been a central interest of mine and sketching, sewing and draping an active hobby that I can now do full time! I got my technical skills from part-time courses at Central St. Martins and lots of do-it-yourself stuff . .. I got interested in clothes and accessories when I first laid eyes on my mom’s wardrobe when I was a kid — she had lots of Emilio Pucci stuff (that he designed for Braniff Airlines and NASA) and I got really into those ‘space-age’/Futurist ad campaign “The End of the Plain Plane.”
Where do you believe to be the fashion capital of the world? Why?
NYC! Because it is edgy and cosmopolitan!
Who is the Priestess NYC woman?
An opinionated, knowledgeable and highly individualized girl who is a little irreverent and subtly-outlandish. She obsesses over fit and style and is typically well traveled and familiar with the coolest things in the coolest cities: NYC, Paris, London, Shanghai, are her playgrounds. She loves ‘shock-and-awe’ fashion.
Tell me about the concept of your current collection and what were your inspirations?
The SS09 stuff is ‘part 80s revival, part futurism combined with a hint of goth-glam.’ I’ve tried to embody urban-girl cool with a contemporary take on ‘vintage punk.’ The looks are richly textured and in a range of vivid and fun colors. . .and the looks are totally versatile and perfect for mixing and matching. My inspiration come from Walter von Beirendonck and Jeremy Scott and KTZ/ Marjan Pejoski.
Were there specific fabrics or techniques that you used?
I love top quality natural fibers AND synthetics: silk-blends, soft jerseys/cottons, etc. are perfect for dynamic-draping! Favorite colors of the moment are day-glows: pinks, purples, yellows, light gray and a ton of monochrome finishes . . and the shapes include lots of volume and inverted
pyramids.
What are your other passions besides fashion design?
Besides making womenswear, I like applied mathematicsand looking at ‘cool art’. I like to read books on ‘the philosophy of science’ and physics.
Personal philosophy to live by..?
“Be honest . .and have fun!”
What is about fashion and design that appeals to you the most?
Fashion forces me to have a global point of view. It’s fun and stimulating!
love the jumpsuits.
bought one today at the boxing day sales 🙂
x.