one of a kind

We are so happy to see that Brooklyn Darling Nancy Wells is whipping up a new collection! Here is a sneak peek at some of her new designs coming soon (a-la-carte) to her Smashing Darling boutique ; but first – in real life – you can find them in Providence, RI. Read on to find out the where and why, and what she’s been up to in the meantime.

Darlings: Where are you from originally, and how did you get into fashion?
Nancy: I was born and raised in Louisville, KY. Starting around the age of five, I read my mother’s Vogue magazines and loved designing fancy dresses in the height of 80s fashion. I stapled the drawings together and priced all the dresses like a catalog.  In high school I was very interested in fine art, but I also had constant ideas for making clothes. I didn’t have fabric or know how to use a sewing machine, so I deconstructed my old clothes and sewed them together by hand into new designs. Then I chose to major in Apparel at Rhode Island School of Design (RISD). After graduating, I started my own line while continuing to live in Providence. I featured my collections in collaborative fashion shows with other local designers. It was great to be a part of such a supportive and positive fashion community.

Photo: Marc Farb

Darlings: You have been on hiatus from designing for 4 years, what have you been up to? What inspired the return to your brand?
Nancy: When I moved to New York 4 years ago, I told myself that I would work my 9-5 fashion job during the week and design for my own brand for fun on the weekends. What I discovered is that I had to do all my errands on the weekend and aside from that was too exhausted from my job to feel like designing. When I was laid off in 2009, I had a strong desire to stay productive during my time off. I became a runway journalist, which was very inspiring for me. I got to attend NY Fashion Week as press, sometimes even photographing the shows myself from the press riser. At the same time I also watched two designer documentaries: Valentino: The Last Emperor, and Lagerfeld Confidential. At that point I felt inspired to design a new collection for the first time since I moved to New York.

Photo: Marc Farb

Darlings: What inspires your designs?
Nancy: My inspiration comes from all kinds of sources, and it’s not always in the same order or process. I can be inspired by vintage shopping or just looking at street style in my neighborhood. Sometimes it’s fashion from movies, particularly a classic or based in a fantasy world. I’ve been inspired by a special fabric or a piece of trim. Sometimes it can be an unexpected source, like a coffee table book that’s completely unrelated to fashion. I have been inspired by dreams, too.

Darlings: If your studio walls could talk, what would they say?
Nancy: Haha, they would probably say “I’m amazed she actually made that work. I didn’t think she could pull that one off.”

Photo: Marc Farb

Darlings: Why did you choose Providence as the spot to re-launch your brand?
Nancy: For one thing, Providence holds a special place in my heart when it comes to the roots of my career. As I mentioned, there is an unexpectedly strong fashion community there, and everyone is very supportive of each other. Also, my friend Karen’s boutique Queen of Hearts has been doing amazingly well in spite of the drowsy economy in the last couple years. She has moved to a larger retail space this year, and clearly has attracted the appropriate customer who has a true appreciation for indie designers and one-of-a-kind fashion.

Photo: Marc Farb

Darlings: Where is your favorite place to go when you are back in Providence?
Nancy: I have several favorite spots around town. I grab a coffee with friends at Seven Stars Bakery at least once each trip. I love to eat brunch at Julian’s (great Bloody Mary’s) and Classic Cafe (cheap and tasty). I usually try to hit up the Red Fez for dinner and drinks, followed by E&O and Scurvy Dog. I also make a trip to the Savers with my friends for some thrift finds, and then we end up at more than one Marshalls store to check out their shoes.

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