Stacy Rodgers and Deirdre Nagayama are best friends and designers at Curator, a San Francisco based clothing line that specializes in “the pieces that are first in and out of the laundry basket.” Known for hardworking fabrics and easy to wear cuts, Curator is the stylish solution to fill those holes in your wardrobe and turn heads. Established in 2001, Curator added a retail space in the fall 2009 in the Upper Noe district of San Francisco. I had a quick chat with Deirdre of Curator and learned more about her inventive fashion line.
Lena Tunic $110
How did you you two meet? Did you “click” instantly?
Stacy and I met when we were 16 on the soccer field practicing for our high school team. Our team was pretty bad news bearsey, but we discovered that we ran at the exact same pace (ahead of the pack). We were friends ever after. We ended up picking the same college in San Diego and grew very close being in So. Cal together.
Nora Skirt $149
What inspires your designs? Can you take us through the collaboration process?
We look to find pieces we can both wear comfortably and work hard in. We’re far from the fit model body types, we look for clothes that fit our shapes well. If we can both rock it we figure we’re hitting a bigger cross section of people.
Curator is designed to “fill [the] voids within our own wardrobes.” So what’s on your fall wardrobe list?
California really needs a rain dance! I’m looking for new boots, high waisted pants of all forms, our striped tops with sleeves rolled up, denim on denim on denim (lena tunic with skinnies), cozy wool oversized sweaters. It’s been dry and hot in my area for so long I feel like I almost forgot how to take on winter.
“If we can both rock it we figure we’re hitting a bigger cross section of people.”
Phoebe Boatneck, available in navy & white $63
In 2009, you opened up a retail location. How has this changed the name of the game for Curator (if at all)?
Opening the retail location was a survival move. 2009 was pretty grim for independent fashion lines, lots of stores were closing and we figured we should try our hands at retail to get off the sell 6 months ahead track. Our store is TINY, I harken it to walking into someone’s closet, one at a time. 4 people at a time is sensory overload! We make it work, it’s small and manageable for us and we love watching ladies try on clothes. Talking to them about what fits, getting the first reads of the line when it comes out. It really helps our design process, our customers definitely inform and contribute to the work.
What makes a stylish person in your opinion?
Staying true to yourself and what you like even when others try to shoot you down. We all notice trends but having a sense of what looks good on your own body type and staying the course with it. Lately I’ve noticed that many women dress for their partners, and while I do care if my husband thinks I look good, it’s my style and I control it. We have a husband bench at the store and it’s not a coincidence that its outside. I try to stay true to my mom’s genius policy…when I was growing up and wearing CRAZY vintage outfits, she would not say a word about how I looked unless I asked. I would saunter past her and if I said what do you think of this mechanic suit and turban mom? She would shoot me straight but I also knew if I didn’t want her input I didn’t have to ask. This gave me a lot of confidence to roll out and explore my style. I rarely asked. As a mom I already practice this policy.
What has been your biggest obstacle and boon as a designers?
They’re are a LOT of obstacles in our field. It can be a David & Goliath choice of a career. Fabric minimums can be a real obstacle at times, and cash flow when you have to put up a lot of money to make goods for future orders. It’s the stuff TMJ is made of. :-). The internet has been a gift for us to be able to direct sell to our customers….
What is your favorite thing in your collection right now? Why?
My favorite piece in the collection right now is the lena tunic. It covers all the bases, denim, long over tush and belly so I can wear skinny pants. I feel like I can really get some work done in that thing.
Images courtesy of Curator. Article by Elizabeth Aley
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