If there’s one thing that we love about a real good designer, it’s the fact that they design for a real good woman. Yes, we said it: real bodies, real curves, real hips, real busts, real sizes; we’re talkin’ some regular ole’ R-E-A-L.
While shopping the runways in Paris, New York, and Milan might be discouraging for those of us with curves, (if you got it, flaunt it!) fear no more, we've got a designer for you. Even though bigger names in the industry are the brands we tend to gravitate to, these notable names and designs don’t always hug and squeeze (read: flatter) in all the right places. So, what’s a girl to do?
Dana-Maxx Pomerantz, a red headed beauty that’s as down to earth as she is glamorous, is our latest and greatest designer phenomenon. A scholar of Marc Jacobs and the Betsey Johnson 'school of fashion thought', Dana-Maxx proves she’s everything the fashion industry celebrates and the real woman craves. We sat down for a quick interview with the up-and-coming designer and winner of the Polyvore and COVERGIRL Live Fashion Show (check out the video footage below!) in her cozy NYC design space and here’s what she had to say.
Kylie McConville: We know your style as a designer, but what is your personal style like?
Dana-Maxx: When I’m not wearing my own line, I usually gravitate toward vintage clothing because it’s unique and one of a kind.
KM: What are a few items you never leave home without, especially before a long day of work?
Dana-Maxx: Definitely number one is my MAC Lady Danger lipstick, it’s like my number one accessory; do not leave home without it! If the world is coming to an end, trust me, I will have my Lady Danger with me. I never leave home without my iPod. I’m so musically obsessed and music is so inspiring when I am designing. Artists like Santigold, Florence and the Machine; music like that is my favorite.
KM: What are you working on now?
Dana-Maxx: We always work a year ahead of the current season, so right now we’re working on Fall designs for 2013 and time just flies. We have a few licensing projects coming up too that we’re really excited about.
KM: Do you ever feel like you can’t enjoy the current season because you’re always working so far ahead?
Dana-Maxx: Yes, very much so! I try and take the time to appreciate the hard work that I’ve put into each season because there is just so much thought that goes into each collection. But at the same time, the fashion industry is just so fast-paced, it’s definitely challenging to appreciate the ‘now.’
KM: What do you channel the most when you’re designing current and future wear?
Dana-Maxx: I’m always inspired by architecture and shapes in general. Whether it’s a building that inspires me or I’m designing a piece fit to flatter a woman’s curves, I always work in terms of shape. It’s also how I’m able to stay consistent with my voice each season – I always think about shape and how it’s going to fit a woman’s body.
KM: When you’re designing your collections, do you try to design for a particular body shape? Long and lean? Curvy and voluptuous? An athletic build?
Dana-Maxx: I’m curvy so I definitely appreciate a woman’s curves. And regardless of shape, I think that you should dress for your body whether you’re a size 2 or a size 12. That doesn’t mean wearing something that you don’t like, though. I think a woman should find and wear things that flatter her shape and allow her to express herself.
KM: If you had to pick one designer, who would be your favorite?
Dana-Maxx: Definitely Diane von Furstenberg. She’s all about empowering women and that’s something that I admire as a designer. I look up to her and my goal has always been to have a go-to brand like hers one day.
KM: Since you make all of these different designs for all over the body, tell us what your favorite female body part is and why you love it.
Dana-Maxx: My favorite female body part is décolletage, which is just the collarbone region. I love it because it always stays the same no matter how much weight you gain or lose. I think it’s such a sensual part of a woman’s body. If I design something that shows off this part, I like to cover up in other places. You should never expose too much at one time. If I do a high neckline, I like to a slit in the skirt, or something to compliment. I think that clothing should always be, and make you feel, sexy.
KM: When do you feel your sexiest?
Dana-Maxx: When I feel strong as a woman; when you’re in control of yourself and your life and you feel strong-minded, I think that’s when you feel sexiest as a woman...then you put on a pair of heels and you’re good to go!
Dana-Maxx: The Bianca dress; it’s just so flattering. It really expresses who I am as a designer and it’s also sold well, too. It gets the award for best all around piece in my mind because it looks great, feels great, was great with customers, and it was great with press.
KM: Who is your fashion muse? Do you think of all women in general or is there someone you keep in mind when designing?
Dana-Maxx: I think of women in general. I think of their shapes – no matter their size. For me, it’s part of the challenge to create something that will flatter her figure and make her feel great no matter what size she wears. It’s always hard for me to reinvent tops when it comes to designing; that’s another big design challenge. There’s only so many ways to do a top and I’m always trying to reinvent the sleeve on a top to make it fit and feel great on a woman.
KM: What’s your biggest achievement so far as a designer?
Dana-Maxx: When I design collections, I have to think in terms of what will sell but if you give me any body type, I can design anything to fit that figure. I love when new projects come along that make me step out of my comfort zone and do something different. I don’t want to do anything boring. I want to keep building on my designs, my voice, and just keep getting better.
Even though Dana-Maxx totally had us at hello, there was something else so important that we couldn’t overlook it. When asked what her best design moment was thus far, she talked about how great it is to get positive feedback from the women who shop her collections. Could there be anything better? Oh, that’s right, there could: she could dress us!
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