Tell us a little about your background, how you got your start,
etc.
I launched Sam Kori George Atelier in June 2003, following
several years of collaboration with the talented Gregory Gonzon, who
passed away in 2001 of cancer. We
had worked together for 17 years.
When they diagnosed him, I was working at another retail store and we
both had offers to go to New York but we didn’t want to uproot.
Then eventually Gonzon started his business.
On a whim, I went into Barney’s and they hired me on the
spot. I was the top producer – on
my first day, the sales were so high that the manager thought there must
be a mistake with the totals.
I then took a month off work right after Gonzon’s funeral. I thought I would close Gonzon’s business but I kept on top of it and took it over after encouragement from Gonzon’s friend. I worked two jobs and then decided to do the business full-time after speaking with an accountant and learning how to work the business and make it through. After two years, I realized it was the best decision.
I grew the business and then relocated from Walton Street to the current Delaware Street location in 2006, and since that time I have enjoyed growth in my base clientele from 50 extraordinary women to well over 100. My couture collections have expanded to include incomparable seasonal apparel, as well as private label, Swiss-cotton lingerie and fine Scottish cashmere sweaters and accessories. I wanted women to see a collection that she could relate to and love.
You opt for Chicago versus the "go-to" design cities of of New York or L.A. Does that present any challenges or are you looked at in a negative manner (or were you initially)?
Chicago is a hidden gem for fashion. We have several great designers in town, and while NY and Paris are known for fashion, Chicago produces the same quality and fashion-forward thinking. In NY, fashion designers are everywhere and that’s not true in Chicago. While I don’t feel I’m looked at in a negative manner, I do think it can be a challenge until others see my work. They then know it’s the same caliber as the NY and Paris designers. My dream is to be a household name some day.
Also, the population is different in New York and tourism is different. But, the internet helps businesses that are anywhere. What difference is it if you’re flying from LA to NY or LA to Chicago?
Are you still on "cloud 9" from your recent win from the Oscars® Designer Challenge?
I’m very appreciative of the opportunity and it was very validating and I’m grateful for that. I’m always thinking of the
next step and now I’m looking to that next step in my design career.
This is the starting point and the groundwork for me. I’m still on
“cloud 9” but the reality and excitement of the Oscars Designer
Challenge has sunk in. I’ve received calls from countless new
clients, as well as previous clients who want to invigorate our past
relationship. I love every minute of it.
Could you tell us a little more about that process? How were you chosen to participate? How was your model chosen?
I was called as a participant of thousands and I didn’t even expect it. I rushed to make a unique gown for this challenge and then found out I was one of the seven finalists. I was honored! I then decided that I wanted the gown I created to be perfect. At the end of the competition, no matter the outcome, I wanted to say I put everything into it – and I did.
My model was assigned to me and she was fantastic. We had a great rapport. She was a perfect fit – no pun intended. We just clicked.
Was the dress design a concept that had been brewing for a little while, or did you initially come up with it for the Design Challenge?
I came up with this design for the Oscars Designer Challenge. I wanted the gown to be Oscar-worthy. My dress is what I imagined an Oscar award escort should wear and I wanted to do justice to the magnitude of this event.
In designing this gown, there were lots of new factors that had to be worked in. I needed to photograph the process to see how it would work in the event and how the angles looked.
We tried it on three different models to make sure it could look good on anyone because I didn’t know who my model was initially.
Also, I wanted the train to stay behind her on the stage as she needed to glide across a stage, so I put weights in the back.
You've been involved in the industry for awhile...has there been a
"favorite" trend for you? Anything you would like to see more of?
I currently design two original collections for fall/winter and spring/summer. Each collection always has eternal pieces, including wide leg and narrow pants, as well as classic short and long jackets. Current and seasonal alternatives are added for a contemporary look. All the pieces are subtly rich and elegantly simple in design, masterfully constructed, and perfectly fit.
I like to mix the proportions on women. I want to see more well-fit pieces on women – they need to look at what needs to be tailored – what needs to be let out, taken in, etc.
My favorite trend – I love a dress on a woman. I think they need to wear more of them and at the same time be conscience of what looks good on them and the trend itself.
One trend I hope I never see again is a velour sweat suit. It can look OK on sorority girls but that’s it.
Could you give us some insight into your upcoming collections?
The new season will start with a suit silhouette- the pants are trimmer and the jacket is shorter. It’ll also have a wrist-length pea coat. The next group is short dresses to the knee in daytime fabrics. You will see one or two corseted gowns in color – there’s a beautiful new red.
There are always grey flannel pants in the fall/winter collection, depending on if they’re in a cold climate like Chicago. A lot of people buy them just as they are jeans and I have a perfect shade of charcoal grey that doesn’t look black.
I launched Sam Kori George Atelier in June 2003, following
several years of collaboration with the talented Gregory Gonzon, who
passed away in 2001 of cancer. We
had worked together for 17 years.
When they diagnosed him, I was working at another retail store and we
both had offers to go to New York but we didn’t want to uproot.
Then eventually Gonzon started his business.
On a whim, I went into Barney’s and they hired me on the
spot. I was the top producer – on
my first day, the sales were so high that the manager thought there must
be a mistake with the totals. I then took a month off work right after Gonzon’s funeral. I thought I would close Gonzon’s business but I kept on top of it and took it over after encouragement from Gonzon’s friend. I worked two jobs and then decided to do the business full-time after speaking with an accountant and learning how to work the business and make it through. After two years, I realized it was the best decision.
I grew the business and then relocated from Walton Street to the current Delaware Street location in 2006, and since that time I have enjoyed growth in my base clientele from 50 extraordinary women to well over 100. My couture collections have expanded to include incomparable seasonal apparel, as well as private label, Swiss-cotton lingerie and fine Scottish cashmere sweaters and accessories. I wanted women to see a collection that she could relate to and love.
You opt for Chicago versus the "go-to" design cities of of New York or L.A. Does that present any challenges or are you looked at in a negative manner (or were you initially)?
Chicago is a hidden gem for fashion. We have several great designers in town, and while NY and Paris are known for fashion, Chicago produces the same quality and fashion-forward thinking. In NY, fashion designers are everywhere and that’s not true in Chicago. While I don’t feel I’m looked at in a negative manner, I do think it can be a challenge until others see my work. They then know it’s the same caliber as the NY and Paris designers. My dream is to be a household name some day.
Also, the population is different in New York and tourism is different. But, the internet helps businesses that are anywhere. What difference is it if you’re flying from LA to NY or LA to Chicago?
Are you still on "cloud 9" from your recent win from the Oscars® Designer Challenge?
I’m very appreciative of the opportunity and it was very validating and I’m grateful for that. I’m always thinking of the
next step and now I’m looking to that next step in my design career.
This is the starting point and the groundwork for me. I’m still on
“cloud 9” but the reality and excitement of the Oscars Designer
Challenge has sunk in. I’ve received calls from countless new
clients, as well as previous clients who want to invigorate our past
relationship. I love every minute of it.Could you tell us a little more about that process? How were you chosen to participate? How was your model chosen?
I was called as a participant of thousands and I didn’t even expect it. I rushed to make a unique gown for this challenge and then found out I was one of the seven finalists. I was honored! I then decided that I wanted the gown I created to be perfect. At the end of the competition, no matter the outcome, I wanted to say I put everything into it – and I did.
My model was assigned to me and she was fantastic. We had a great rapport. She was a perfect fit – no pun intended. We just clicked.
Was the dress design a concept that had been brewing for a little while, or did you initially come up with it for the Design Challenge?
I came up with this design for the Oscars Designer Challenge. I wanted the gown to be Oscar-worthy. My dress is what I imagined an Oscar award escort should wear and I wanted to do justice to the magnitude of this event.
In designing this gown, there were lots of new factors that had to be worked in. I needed to photograph the process to see how it would work in the event and how the angles looked.
We tried it on three different models to make sure it could look good on anyone because I didn’t know who my model was initially.
Also, I wanted the train to stay behind her on the stage as she needed to glide across a stage, so I put weights in the back.
You've been involved in the industry for awhile...has there been a
"favorite" trend for you? Anything you would like to see more of?I currently design two original collections for fall/winter and spring/summer. Each collection always has eternal pieces, including wide leg and narrow pants, as well as classic short and long jackets. Current and seasonal alternatives are added for a contemporary look. All the pieces are subtly rich and elegantly simple in design, masterfully constructed, and perfectly fit.
I like to mix the proportions on women. I want to see more well-fit pieces on women – they need to look at what needs to be tailored – what needs to be let out, taken in, etc.
My favorite trend – I love a dress on a woman. I think they need to wear more of them and at the same time be conscience of what looks good on them and the trend itself.
One trend I hope I never see again is a velour sweat suit. It can look OK on sorority girls but that’s it.
Could you give us some insight into your upcoming collections?
The new season will start with a suit silhouette- the pants are trimmer and the jacket is shorter. It’ll also have a wrist-length pea coat. The next group is short dresses to the knee in daytime fabrics. You will see one or two corseted gowns in color – there’s a beautiful new red.
There are always grey flannel pants in the fall/winter collection, depending on if they’re in a cold climate like Chicago. A lot of people buy them just as they are jeans and I have a perfect shade of charcoal grey that doesn’t look black.
Q&A With Couture Designer Sam Kori George
They say it's lonely at the top. I'm convinced the person who came up with that was still at the bottom of the mountain bestowing an ugly grudge towards anyone who had already conquered it! Chicago based Sam Kori George would certainly know what it feels like to be at the top. It's been just over two months since his victory at the Oscars® Designer's Challenge, when America voted Mr. George tops among the field of seven up-and-coming designers. Once you see his collections, it comes as no surprise-from structured classics to ethereal gowns with delicate flowers designed with such care they become an exquisite substitute to real petals themselves, Mr. George offers a variety of pieces truly made for any occasion, with the possible exception of lounging on the couch on a Sunday afternoon!
To learn more about Sam Kori George, visit his website, www.skgatelier.com.
They say it's lonely at the top. I'm convinced the person who came up with that was still at the bottom of the mountain bestowing an ugly grudge towards anyone who had already conquered it! Chicago based Sam Kori George would certainly know what it feels like to be at the top. It's been just over two months since his victory at the Oscars® Designer's Challenge, when America voted Mr. George tops among the field of seven up-and-coming designers. Once you see his collections, it comes as no surprise-from structured classics to ethereal gowns with delicate flowers designed with such care they become an exquisite substitute to real petals themselves, Mr. George offers a variety of pieces truly made for any occasion, with the possible exception of lounging on the couch on a Sunday afternoon!
To learn more about Sam Kori George, visit his website, www.skgatelier.com.
Q&A with 24-7 Style
Want to be interviewed by 24-7 Style? Email us!
Want to be interviewed by 24-7 Style? Email us!