The best designers you’ve never heard of.

On the Edge
Inspired by the bold styles of the ’80s, New York City designer Cassie Veres creates fierce and fabulous street couture.

When did you first become interested in fashion?
My love of fashion began when I was a young child and my mother would outfit me in Christian Dior dresses. Later, in junior-high and high school, I started making my own clothes because I didn’t want to look like everyone else, and one day, I decided to cut up a pair of JNCO jeans—I swear, they were cool when I was a kid! I wanted the sides of the legs to be crisscrossed like a corset, so I did it all by hand, which meant they practically ripped apart when I wore them. I actually was sent home from school a handful of times because of my clothes….

After college, you went to work for Halston. What led you to break out on your own and start New York Couture?
I went to work for Halston after receiving my bachelor’s degree in marketing, and I stayed there for a year, helping out at the fashion shows, with celebrities, and so forth. Every time I wore something I had made, people would ask me where I got it, so I knew I had something good going on and decided to start my own line. There just weren’t enough hours in the day to do both jobs, so I quit Halston to run my own business full time.

How have your marketing studies impacted your work?
I don’t think it’s affected my designs much, but having a degree in marketing has been extremely useful. In college I studied all aspects of business, from economics to business law, and everything I learned has had some impact on the way I do business.

And you’re still so young: 22. What influence do you think your age has had on your designs?
I feel lucky to have started my line at this point in my life. I think my age gives me a certain edge—the freedom to express myself without caring what others might say.

Much of your work is ’80s inspired. What led you to go in this direction?
I was born in the ’80s, so my clothes tend to reflect the things I grew up with: Jem, Rainbow Brite, Fraggle Rock. And most of my items are adorned with sequin appliqués because I’m a huge sparkle fan.

What sorts of items are you designing now?
My next collection is going to be very fun and wearable, with way more sequins and a scandalous T-shirt line.

And you also sell vintage jewelry and Graffiti’D heels?
Yes. What better way to compliment a crazy outfit than with an outrageous pair of shoes and a fabulous piece of vintage jewelry? When I started painting my own shoes, it seemed like everyone I knew wanted their own pair, so I started selling them. The vintage jewelry is just an extra bonus. I’m always finding pieces for photo shoots and fashion shows, so I figured I would share my finds with my customers.

Where are your designs available, and what are your price points?
New York Couture is available at more than 25 boutiques in the United States, Canada, Japan, and online, and my prices range from about $50 to $200 for a custom piece.

What inspires you? Do you have any fashion icons or role models?
Everything inspires me. I love to watch people on the streets and in clubs to see what they’re wearing, and a lot of my inspiration comes to me in dreams. I also enjoy different designers: John Galliano, Alexander McQueen, Vivienne Westwood, Coco Chanel, Marjan Pejoski, Heatherette, and Betsey Johnson. My goal for this year is to get New York Couture into the Patricia Field store in New York City because she’s a fashion god to me. In general, the more risks a designer takes, the more I like them. Not everyone’s going to wear such craziness, but it’s much more fun making unusual clothes than a safe black dress.

How would you describe the New York Couture customer?
I always assumed my customers will be like me, very funky and wild, but I actually get every type of customer imaginable—boys, girls, lots of Japanese clients, punk-rock chicks, plain Janes, and everyone in between. So my customer is just anyone who wants to have fun with their clothes and be the only one wearing them.

What do you envision for the future—both for you personally and for the New York Couture brand?
I’ll continue making clothes, of course, and I’m also planning to open a superfunky boutique in a few years. I truly believe that if you work hard, you’ll be rewarded, so I’m working my butt off.

Casual chic: Models lounge in Cassie’s line at the Slamfest fashion show in New York City.

The Reconstructed Blazer ($100) and Lace Layered Skirt ($150).

Saturday in the park: New York Couture’s flirty Lace Layered Skirts ($150 each).

Photo credits: Kent Miller, John Perez, Mike Cetta

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