clothing

Darlings, support each other. Read on and get to know Natasha Samoylenko, designer of SAMOY LENKO. Take a look at how lovely her new collection is, dresses and skirts so perfect for you to flit and flutter in all summer. Natasha is part owner of TRUNK Brooklyn (along with Radka Design and others), a Dumbo boutique that showcases locally designed and manufactured art, clothing, jewelry and more. Visit and you will also find new collections from yet another Darling, Lauren Wimmer. Yes, we are giddy to see so many darlings all together! Save the date for their next event during Dumbo’s Photo Festival.

Nastasha Samoylenko, Portrait by Pushett Irby

Darlings: Being trained in package design how did you make the transition to designing clothing? Where or who did you turn to for help?
Samoy Lenko: The transition was pretty seamless. Clothing is sort of like package design, only you package the body. I like it because it is three-dimensional and it works with shape and form. I always try to work around the body. I want a woman to wear a piece of clothing and not the other way around it.

Daisy Dress, All Collection images by: Marc McAndrews

Darlings: Where do you find inspiration for your designs?
Samoy Lenko: Inspiration is everywhere. When I have time to myself without any distractions I feel the most creative. Ironically it usually happens on a crowded train or walking down the street. I get lost in thought. I get inspired by virtually anything: a detail in a shoe or a coat collar. I love texture and color, bookbinding and architecture. New York is a great place for it.

Darlings: We love stories of designers coming together to support each other. It looks like that is what happened to form your Dumbo boutique & gallery space: TRUNK Brooklyn. Can you tell us about how you all found each other?
Samoy Lenko: There are 5 of us at Trunk. Three out of five knew each other for about 7 years. We all met at the Market on Mulberry Street. After our individual businesses took off we would meet occasionally to do sales and special events. The last venture was a weekend market in Dumbo, called CornerMRKT. We shared a space with a furniture store and when that store was closing that location, the three of us joined forces with 2 other designers.

Ginger Dress

Darlings: Tell us about TRUNK, what is the concept behind the idea for TRUNK? How long did it take to open TRUNK from the time the idea was formed?
Samoy Lenko: We opened TRUNK in October 2009. The concept and idea was percolating for a few years, but the actual realization of the store only took a few months. The collections at TRUNK feature unique women’s wear, jewelry, accessories, art and furniture, all locally designed and manufactured. Our store itself provides a backdrop for the products, making a bold statement that “style can be created and found locally.” Through our partnership at TRUNK we bridge many aesthetics and backgrounds, from Europe and rural America to New York City. TRUNK provides an exciting new platform for our varied designs, as well as for the work of invited designers and exhibitors.

Darlings: How much time do you spend working at TRUNK? How much time do you spend designing?
Samoy Lenko: The beauty of owning a business with four other partners is that you can spend minimum time working at the store and more time at the studio designing.

Darlings: How much help do you have from employees, friends and / or family members? And, what do they help you with?
Samoy Lenko: At TRUNK we all try to help each other. With my own collection I always keep learning from my colleagues and friends.

Aster Wrap Skirt

Darlings: If your studio walls could talk, what would they say?
Samoy Lenko: Depends on the time of day it is. I share my studio with two amazing jewelry designers, so there is a lot of bouncing ideas back and forth. Humor and collaboration is a huge part of the design process. Plus late night shorties never hurt (i.e. beer).

Allium Fold Over Skirt

Darlings: What does your average day entail? …and what is your favorite part?
Samoy Lenko: I try to get to the studio by 9 am (after I send my son off to school). Some days I spend more on production and some days I spend more on designing new styles. My favorite part of the day is when designs become reality, when I see the transition of how a drawing becomes a product, or when an accident becomes a unique attribute to a piece of clothing.

Darlings: To this point what is the most important lesson you have learned that helps you maintain your business and collection?
Samoy Lenko: Always believe in yourself. Put your ego aside and always keep learning.

Dahlia Top

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