Known for her innovative prints and bright colour palette, New

York City-based designer Tanya Taylor creates wearable art.

Tanya Taylor | United States of America

COLOUR MY WORLD

Having originally studied finance at

McGill University, Tanya Taylor’s

attraction to colour and print became

too loud to ignore, and thus she

enrolled in courses at Central Saint

Martins and, thereafter, The Parsons

New School of Design. In just three

years, the New York City-based

designer’s namesake brand has become

well known in fashionable circles

the world over, revered for its artful

approach to dressing that favours

simple, feminine shapes and bold use

of colour. Having been a finalist in the

CFDA/Vogue Fashion Fund program in

2014, Taylor is no stranger to industry

initiatives such as the International

Woomark Prize, for which she further

explored her love of Merino wool.

The Tanya Taylor brand is very much on the rise. What has contributed to your growth? Working with

partners who

understand my

vision and believe

in the brand’s

unique positioning

is essential to our

growth. This past

year has been very

fruitful, growing

not only our retail

business by 300% and

adding key retailers,

but also tripling the

number of employees

and adding key senior

“ I LOOK TO THE

INSPIRING WOMEN THAT I HAVE THE

GREAT PLEASURE OF CALLING SUPPORTERS,

SUCH AS MICHELLE OBAMA AND LENA

DUNHAM, AND DESIGN PIECES THAT WILL MAKE THEM FEEL

BEAUTIFUL. “

Tanya Taylor | United States of America

positions, such as a director of operations and an in-house controller. While I always

have a plan for growth, it is important to adjust expectations as new opportunities

arise, both anticipated and unexpected.

You studied finance prior to fashion. Do you think that differentiates your design practice? I think my background in finance gives me a unique perspective. As a designer I

strive to create with great freedom, but following a solid financial plan—such as

responsibly developing fabrics and competitively costing products—is extremely

important to me. I see fashion in a very creative way, but thinking and planning in

terms of function is at the core of my values.

“ MY DESIGN PROCESS BEGINS

WITH TELLING A STORY ABOUT COLOUR. SOMETIMES MY INSPIRATION IS A SPECIFIC IDEA, AND OTHER TIMES IT IS

MORE GENERALLY A MOOD, BUT I BEGIN THE PROCESS EXPERIMENTING IN THE

STUDIO, USING VARIOUS ART MEDIUMS TO MIX COLOUR

AND SHAPE. “

Prints form a big part of your collection – what draws you to using these in your work? Prints bring an artistic sensibility to

my work that I love. Art has always

been a very important part of my life,

and painting my own prints is not only

something that allows me to express a

story, but it also invites our woman into

a vibrant world of colour and texture.

What is your design process? My design process begins with telling

a story about colour. Sometimes my

inspiration is a specific idea, and other

times it is more generally a mood, but

I begin the process experimenting in

the studio, using various art mediums

to mix colour and shape. Often a trip,

exploring a new place and its unique

architecture or textiles, will be a

starting point. I supplement intangible

ideas with tactile objects that speak to

me, and carry ideas from my inspiration

into developing bodies and silhouettes

that I am interested in exploring.

Who do you have in mind when designing? My customer is an informed, confident

woman. Not defined by her age, but by

her positive attitude, she is energetic,

curious, and appreciates the art of

dressing. I personally relate to my

customer, and have my own aesthetic

and desires in mind when designing. I

also look to the inspiring women that

I have the great pleasure of calling

supporters, such as Michelle Obama

and Lena Dunham, and design pieces

that will make them feel beautiful.

What was your approach to creating the capsule collection for the International Woolmark Prize? I wanted to present wool in a full

spectrum of texture and shape,

showcasing its qualities and

highlighting the range of its potential.

Inspired by bullseyes and their

colourful, concentric circles, I wanted

to explore graphic linearity, curvature,

and colour in a variety of bold

garments with personality.

What for you are the benefits or challenges of using Merino wool? The benefits of using wool, especially

Merino, are many – it is a versatile,

resilient fibre that balances luxury and

function. Its softness, elasticity, and

Tanya Taylor | United States of America

great recovery are benefits that our customer appreciates. The only

challenge has been deciding which of wool’s positive qualities to

focus on, but we have been able to showcase a variety of treatments,

such as printing, embroidery, and fully-fashioned knitwear.

If you were to win the final, how would the prize help your business?

Winning the prize would be an esteemed honour, and being

recognised for wool innovation is a milestone that would bring great

visibility to the brand. Financially, the prize would help dedicate a

proportion of knitwear production to local manufacturing in New

York, and help cover the costs of development for the upcoming Fall/

Winter 2016/2017 season.

Beyond the Woolmark Prize, what are you focused on achieving? The ultimate goal for my brand is to reach more women globally and

to tell a colourful, optimistic story across all product categories. This

equates to launching accessories, such as footwear and handbags,

as well as home goods. Opening retail stores, and thus being able

to fully realise and immerse others in the Tanya Taylor world, is

absolutely in the big picture.

Tanya Taylor | United States of America