Beyonce in Torn

Ultimate! Ps- love the Charlotte Olympia clutch she is wearing too :)

Spring 2013 Sneak Preview!

Sneak Preview of our Spring 2013 Collection!

Hi from Mykonos! xox Ronny

Get this dress now!

@ Alemagou in Mykonos= Heaven!

Street bakery@ Jaffo Telaviv

 After a day of market shopping for middle eastern inspiration. Stay tuned for Torn's gypsy summer collection!

Get the Helen sweater while it lasts!

NYC TORN AND RAISED

A: How have your internships, like working for Annie Lebowvitz, DVF, and Christie’s influenced your perspective on fashion? 

L: I really respect designers and the fashion world and I think especially my internship at Vogue last year made me want to work in the fashion world.


A: We know you love music…do you think that music and music festivals influence your personal style?  Has it made your style evolve in a sense that you find yourself wearing items and colors that you never used to wear?

L: It definitely has influenced my style, I find myself wearing a lot more neon and bright colors, as well as crop tops and fringe things.


A: Your grandmother was a style icon in her day, is there any clothing item that she wore that you love and still have?

L: Not really, but my other grandmother gave me all of her fox fur which are basically little foxes that have the head and the legs and the tails and they used to wear them like 5 at a time!

Jewelry Designer and Model Nicole Trunfio

Model and jewelry designer Nicole Trunfio wearing Torn at the Blue and Cream pop up store in the East Hamptons on Saturday. 

Happy 4th of July!

Americana Inspiration

Loving the vintage car, so Americana!

My favorite vineyard...

Beautiful Saturday at my favorite Rose vineyard, Croteaux

NYC TORN AND RAISED

A: We know that you met Ronny on the beach in Anguilla, what does your vacation wardrobe look like as opposed to your city wardrobe?

H: My vacation wardrobe consists of bikinis, cover-ups, loose long t-shirts, and lots of sunglasses and sunscreen.

A: You seem to have a lot of interests on your career path, from DJ to model to artist, how has that influenced your personal style?

H: I am influenced constantly by art. I love going to galleries and being inspired by the art that people around me are doing. Music has always been a big trend generator in terms of pop culture. I don’t necessarily follow trends but I think that I have a good sense of knowing what’s coming around the corner. I stay true to myself and that’s what influences the way I dress.

Steven Misel

Designing Summer- our inspiration is HOT!

Feeling blue?? I am in this rainy NYC weather!

A: Growing up in New York City and attending a variety schools do you find that your style has evolved as you have gotten older? 

I definitely think that style evolves as you grow older no matter who you are. Growing up in New York we had so many amazing style icons! The older I got the more classic I actually got with my style. I love trends but I would never buy something that wasn’t perfectly fitting just because I liked it. It has to be wearable for the next however many years. I really believe there is a common element in fashion, and that’s what I look for.  


A: Are you influenced by trends from the past?


C:  There are certain aspects of reverence to the past that I love like the good things that happened in the 80s.  I wore a shirt with MINI shoulder pads the other night, it’s the timeless things that will still look good in 20s years, that’s what I steal from my moms closet. I still have my great grandmothers furs. It’s really all about putting together something that represents who you are. 

A: Do your personal interests influence your style choices? I remember you were into sports journalism.

C: Yes I wanted to be a sports journalist SO badly. It’s fun though because your interests definitely influence your style in terms of what you are doing. I remember tailgating at the University of Southern California for football games. All the girls would wear their “Go Trojan” stuff and their USC sweats and everything. Not me. I would wear red jeans with a yellow Lacoste shirt and gold flats, that was my own spin on being a Trojan. Everyone used to laugh about that. 

A: Now that you are at Harvard do you find that you have toned down your fashion for Boston versus New York?

C: As a New Yorker I’ve always been taught to veer to the overdressed side. Its really interesting though, I remember my first week there I went out with tights underneath shorts in high heels and people were like, ok who is this person? But I mean you can be yourself in any city and just tone it down when you have to.

NYC TORN AND RAISED:

A: Do you think that working in art at Sotheby’s has influenced your personal style?

K: Yes, I do! While I'm at Sotheby’s I get to see such a great mixture of mediums from ceramics to furniture and paintings. For example, last week we had Asia week which really influenced me to wear a lot more turquoise and jade. I feel like my environment really influences what I wear and seeing all these different inspirations all over the room really impacts my style.

A: What do you think about the relationship between art and fashion?

K: In art you have each movement which I feel like is influenced by music, and music is very influenced by literature, and all three of those combined can really influence a fashion movement. Its crazy how something with words can influence something visual but the total mixture is just so eclectic and it all comes out to be relatively saying the same thing and kind of conveying a sort of feeling out there. 

A: We know that you lived abroad while you were studying at Sotheby’s in the UK after graduating from College of Charleston, how did the fashion differ at both schools?

K: In Charleston, it’s very much a southern school. You see most of the girls walking around in Lily Pulitzer and pearls, and they would never dare go out of their apartment in sweatpants or a sweatshirt. In the UK it's all about the grunge factor- anything goes. Mixing beat up converse with a bright pink sweatshirt- they just have such a creative style! I feel like it's due to the environment they grew up in and the variety of culture they see everyday.

A: Who is your favorite designer and why?

K: My favorite designer is Matthew Williamson. I love the way he mixes colors and textiles they are so vibrant and happy which is how I like to live my life!

NYC TORN AND RAISED: Sabrina Burda

A: Do you find that your German heritage influences the way that you dress?

S: I do, especially when I started at boarding school everyone made fun of my style because I went to school with really preppy American girls. I also feel like living in London I picked up certain styles as well so I actually have a pretty international fashion perspective.

A: Going to college at Richmond do you find that you started to dress more like a Southern Belle versus a New York City girl?

S: I think that I definitely dressed more casual when I went there, like I definitely never wore heels there but I don’t think that I became a “southern belle.”  But I think my whole wardrobe was mainly jeans and going out tops and flats because it was pretty informal.

A: Since you frequent electronic concerts do you find that you have incorporated neon colors into your wardrobe more such as neon pinks and greens into everyday outfits that you never thought you would be wearing before?

S: My love for Electronica has definitely influenced my style. I love neon t-shirts and tie dye shorts at concerts!

A: When do you feel the most beautiful?

S: I always feel more beautiful in the summer because I eat healthier, I work out more, I’m tanner, and I just love wearing summer clothes. I love getting dressed up at night and throwing on some wedges with a skirt, it’s much more exciting than during the winter.

'Thirst' by Jenna Elizabeth styled by Katharina Trappe

Since we recently interviewed Jenna, I thought you guys would want to check out the short film we worked on together staring Chanel Iman. Hope you enjoy!

X,

 Kat

Start pre-ordering now! Click here!

Perfect for a fun summer night out! Click here and be the first to get it!

Stand out in a crowd with this fun and flirty pleated dress! Click here and be the first to get it!

Photo by Sean Sullivan

Let me introduce you to a very dear friend of mine, filmmaker Jenna Elizabeth. She is equally as talented as she is cool and I'm excited to share her thoughts with you here. Her passion and intellect make her what I believe to be one of the best of her generation. Enjoy!

x Kat

KT: What do you do?

JE:I am a filmmaker.

KT: Where are you from?

JE:Where sun meets smog, Los Angeles.

KT: How do you describe your look?

JE:I prefer a clean silhouette that has opposite exaggerated proportions. Typically it starts with a structured jacket and ends with a great pair of jeans. 

KT: What or who inspires you?

JE:Roald Dahl's short stories and Gottfried Helnwein's art.

KT: Did you grow up with fashion or when did you get into it?

JE:My grandmother was a runway model turned fashion illustrator. She was always the one growing up that taught me to invest in key basics. My personal attraction to fashion started with film, I remember my style changing greatly after seeing Fellini movies as a teenager. There was an elegance in 60s films that has sort has been lost over time. I remember saving up my money- working in the summers, and splurging on a vintage Dior corset and Tom Ford for Gucci skirt - which I wore to prom. 

KT: Where do you like to shop?

JE:Tokio 7 in NY is great for unexpected finds.

KT: Do you shop online? If yes which sites?

JE:Huge fan of ebay.

KT: What is your favorite piece you from your closet?

JE:Well the piece that is my staple is my PHI motorcycle jacket - but my most valued piece has to be the thigh high lotus boots from Tom Ford's last collection for Yves Saint Laurent.

KT: What is your favorite vacation spot?

JE:A movie theater. The best vacations are escapes from my own head. I feel like every time I'm on a real vacation all I can do is think about work. So the real luxury for me is being able to just lose myself, even if it is just for two hours.

KT: What kind of music do you listen to?

JE:Everything from Trent Reznor to The Clash. Right now, to be fair, according to my iTunes, my most played song as of late is House of Pain's "Put Your Head Out". 

KT: Best Gift you have ever received?

JE:Signed copy of Hedi Slimane's Rock Diary.

KT: You look very fit .Do you do sports?

JE:Schedule permitting, yoga. But most of my exercise comes from walking as much as I can in NY. I feel like that's the beauty of the city- you get to interact with people on the street. I much prefer walking to taking the subway.

KT: If you could steal a piece from someone elses closet what would it be?

JE: Rolex oyster perpetual submariner watch from 1960s James Bond

KT: Which modern day personas style do you admire?

JE:I've always admired Charlotte Gainsbourg. She always looks elegant yet effortless.

KT: Do you read Blogs? Which ones?

JE: I'm really into Richard Lawson. He used to write for Gawker, now he writes for The Atlantic Wire. I feel like he has a refreshing point of view on pop culture. The way he writes, makes me feel like I am having lunch with him. I've never met him, but I wish we were friends in real life.

KT: Which Magazines do you read? Any favorite?

JE:Love & Vogue Italia

KT: Where do you like to eat in the city? lunch and dinner?

JE: Lunch- I am a huge sucker for the pasta over at Bar Pitti. Dinner- La Grenouille… the presentation and taste is met with the best service. They also have the most beautiful floral arrangements from any restaurant in New York. 

KT: Where would you go for a date?

JE: Best date I've ever been on was a James Brown tribute at Roseland Ballroom - the funk and soul night. Dance till you're drenched. 

Photo by Terry Richardson

KT: Do you go out? if yes where to?

JE: Bowery hotel for drinks. 

KT: What is your beauty routine?

JE: I have raccoon eyes- so my routine is centered on under eye concealer, and black eye-liner. Occasionally some blush. For me, it is all about having good skin. I try to get a facial once a month, and am a huge advocate of spf moisturizer. 

KT: Do you have a to go to outfit?

JE: My uniform traditionally is made up with black ankle boots, jeans, a tank top, something to layer over the tank top, and a structured jacket. If it is fall - I like to get creative with significantly oversized scarves. I hate dressing in the spring/summer. I find spring clothing for the most part, totally repulsive looking. 

KT: Do you wear jewelry? which items on daily basis?

JE: I wear three leather cuffs, a French bulldog ring, and an Edward Scissorhand necklace (slightly dangerous as it can poke people) every single day. 

KT: Which items do you purchase most? or spend most money on? food,beauty,clothes , travel anything..

JE: I'm more about investment pieces so I feel like I only really buy clothes every three- four months or so. I have not cooked anything in three years, so I guess most of my money goes towards food. 

KT: Which are your favorite designers?

JE: Right now, for me, it is all about Riccardo Tisci. Specifically, his 2011 couture collections were some of the best garments I have seen in the last decade. I think he has reinvented couture. I mean he still uses traditional techniques like the use of "cat's eye" and "caviar beading". However, there is an element of modernity that defies traditional couture, the exposed zippers, and use of light fabrics that scale like a fish. Every detail is balanced with exact precision. It challenges the movement of a woman, the lightness gives her an effortless freedom, which in turn looks powerful. I recently used a dress of his for a film with Erin Wasson. The movement of the dress was spectacular. If I could, I'd film every dress he's created.

KT: Who is your ideal women?

JE:I'm one for the Helmut Newton archetype of woman… All of his women exude a confidence and strength while still emoting sexuality. They stand with their legs apart, taking up space. They aren't hunched in a corner. I can't stand when fashion photographers make a woman look frail. 

KT; Who is your ideal man or some you think is a great male character?

JE: This is an odd juxtaposition but I have equal crushes on Peter Sellers and River Phoenix. Peter Sellers was so complex. Albeit torture, I like complicated men no matter how hard I try to avoid them. An air of mystery is attractive to me. He was so great at being everyone but himself. I've read three books about Sellers. The key with Sellers apparently was date him - but don't marry him. He was wonderful at courting women, very thoughtful with gifts but terrible with them once a ring was on their finger. River Phoenix I adore because there's a sincerity there that you don't see in most actors today. Also, he had great hair… sleepy bedhead hair that cowlicks in just the right way. Both of them never felt too "done", and have a sort of street- smart artful dodger quality. 

KT: How did you get into directing?

JE: I’ve known I wanted to be a filmmaker since a very young age. I started a film club when I was I was in high school, I restored the James Bond collection at Lowry Digital when I was sixteen, I interned for Tom Hanks’ production company Playtone, I worked at Momentum Pictures in England ... But I knew I needed to end up in New York, because I wanted to make films in participation with fashion designers. The fashion industry has its own competitive ranking system. So I slipped through the back door, and got my hands on large accounts by working in advertising. First fashion piece I made was for Yves Saint Laurent's fragrance, Belle D'Opium. Since then I have been fortunate to work with Julianne Moore, Brady Corbet, and Chanel Iman.

KT: Which director inspires you?

JE: This question to me is the equivalent of would you rather burn or freeze to death. I feel like the director that represents filmmaking in my mind is Stanley Kubrick. It wasn't just about directing for him, he was involved in every step of the process. I remember reading that there was a post production issue with Dr. Strangelove and he ended up having to re-edit the film from memory. He also negotiated his distribution deals. Kubrick has made a film in nearly every genre. Total package. I also am greatly influenced by Hal Ashby, Jacques Tati, Alain Resnais, Michelangelo Antonioni, Fritz Lang and Lindsey Anderson. Modern day filmmakers I love Jonathan Glazer, Paul Thomas Anderson, Lars Von Trier, David Fincher, Nicolas Refn, Milos Forman, and Anthony Minghella. 

KT: I know you like jewelry, if you could chose one piece what would it be for you to wear?

JE: I have a Lanvin cuff - that is essentially a square of costume jewelry that is hooked on a men's watchband. Sort of a genius juxtaposition. I only wear it on special occasions. 

KT:What is your dream location?

JE: I've always wanted to shoot at Pierre Cardin's house, Palais Bulles. I once went to a party there- it is like Dr. Seuss on Mars. 

It's spring finally, lovely weather and all of new york came out of its shell. the colors in this picture remind me of the people and the cherry blossoms in washington square park. unfortunately Frida Kahlo wasn't there ha! Enjoy the sun!

 We got to catch up with Nylon Magazine's Dani Stahl this week to learn a little more about her background in fashion. She is keeping busy these days proclaiming she's a "jack of many fashion trades", and that she is!  Dani is the Red carpet designer for Lia Sophia, she's on E!'s tv show Scouted, and of course, editor at large of Nylon Magazine. Keep reading to find out Dani's style motto, skincare secrets, and tips on breaking into the industry!

KT: Where are you from?

DS: New York City, born and raised!

KT: How do you describe your style?

DS: Eclectic, I don’t really think I have one style. My motto is always fashion is fun. One day a lady and the next day a rockstar!

KT: Did you grow up with fashion or how did you get into it?

DS: I have a mother and I had a grandmother who are both fashionistas. My mother is a vintage jewelry collector, specifically earrings. She has an extraordinary collection of Hermes bags so I grew up a real bag snob. I have been fortunate enough to dig into her goodies as I have grown more responsible (laughs). I have always been surrounded by fashion so I just carry the torch.

KT: Where do you like to shop?

DS: I shop everywhere and anywhere. I think it’s a very Nylon philosophy, high/low..I think it’s all about pieces, combining things, and how you wear it. I love to shop at Barneys, obviously Torn by Ronny Kobo, and I've recently become obsessed with Isabel Marant recently gotten into. I shop mostly when I travel.. and when I buy something it’s usually a piece that I wear a lot.. like that perfect black leather motorcycle jacket, a beautiful blazer, or that coat of the season. I feel like the things I will probably be the most noticed in I don’t typically buy because I won't get a lot of wear out of it.

KT: Do you shop online??

DS: I am starting to convert into the online shopper. I am a big fan of this new site called  “AHALife” it’s a very chic site and also “Feyt” and that’s a new site that is launching..

KT: What is your favorite piece from your closet?

DS: … I love my closet (laughs). I love my leather jacket collection, specifically my Balenciaga orange leather jacket.. moving into Spring I love this amazing Ashish dress I have, I love my Rosette shouldered Valentino jacket.

KT: Where do you like to go on vacation? Favorite spot?

DS: I just came back from the Cove at the Atlantis in the Bahamas. It is the perfect quick get-away there! The Atlantis is a little touch of Vegas but the Cove totally takes you out of that. I went with my best friend Charlotte Ronson and we had the best time ever!

KT: What kind of music do you listen
to?

DS: I love to listen to all kinds of music, I am constantly looking for new music.. like everyone else I am kind of having that electronic dance music vibe right now. I love to go running in the park to it. I recently went and saw The Black Keys and it was the most amazing performance. I also really love 90’s grunge... give me a little Alice in Chains anytime.

KT: What is the best gift you have ever received?

DS: Love.

KT: Do you do sports?

DS: I do, I play tennis. I am very active... I like my power walking in my MBT’s..haha, do you know what those are?

KT: Yes!

DS: I recently found this class I am WILDLY obsessed with it’s called Figure 4 - it’s at Pure Yoga. I am also a big fan of core fusion at Exhale.

KT: Do you read blogs?

DS: If I’m on them... (laughs) You know.. I need to be more blog savvy.. But I'm really getting there - in a constant scour of the net for new material. It’s all about the immediacy right now and there is so much information out there..but I honestly get most of my

information from Twitter- I am a twitteraholic!

KT: Do you read magazines? Which ones?

DS: Yes! Nylon of course.. I have been there since the beginning so it’s really a part of my DNA. I love Vogue and I love Elle I love what they have done with Marie Claire.. I love reading Cosmo on the airplane...secretly of course with all that sexy content! I thoroughly

enjoy Hamptons magazine in the summer. And when it comes to European mags - British Vogue, Pop, iD.. And then Japanese mags etc. - I'm in heaven. Love the aesthetic, love the different points of view. Love it all. I'm a real magazine junkie through & through.

KT: Where do you like to eat?

DS: Organic Avenue. It’s amazing I go there all the time. I have changed my eating tremendously in the past year.

KT: Where do you like to go on a date?

DS: The last date I went on we went to Acme. The other one was a restaurant name Alta.. he chose. Sometimes it’s best when they choose. Oh and a really good place for a date is Raouls.

KT: Do you have a beauty routine?

DS: I am obsessed with skin care- I am a Mario Badescu girl all the way- I am dedicated to Irena, my facial girl. I turned Ronny onto it also, the vitamin C serum..the glycolic toner, all of the face masks are amazing. It’s so important, skin care is key! I am so obsessed I am reading a book right now called Forever Young by Dr. Perricone. It’s about the effects of food on your body. The saying you are what you eat is really true.

KT: What is your to go to outfit?

DS: My Chanel ballet flats, my J Brand jeans, a leather moto jacket and Ronny’s Torn tshirts, I can’t live without!

KT: Do you wear jewelry on a daily basis?

DS: I do. Certain pieces I rarely take off. I have this vintage coin ring that I got from designer Jill Heller. I wear my Father’s Rolex it’s very sentimental to me. I always wear black rubber rings. I recently discovered a company Due Punti that makes silicone rings w little diamonds that I love. But as a jewelry designer - I ALWAYS wear LIA SOPHIA!

KT: Who are your favorite designers?

DS: Chanel. Karl Lagerfeld was on the top of my list of the people I want to meet and I recently got to meet him. I’m always so inspired by his work. Valentino and Ralph Lauren..always love a cable knit or a Ricky bag. I love the simplicity of Calvin Klein. I love Prada and Miu Miu. Always a Miu Miu girl. I love any bag from YSL and YSL in general. I just watched the documentary “L'amour Fou” it was so sad! I never knew about the tremendous, overwhelmingly impressive art collection!

KT: What inspires you as an editor/designer?

DS: Anxiety! (laughs) but i’m always trying to change that.. I have recently discovered meditation though so I think it’s helping!

KT: Do you have any advice for young people trying to break into the fashion industry?

DS: Internships, internships, internships!! I interned starting at Elle Magazine when I was a sophomore at NYU. That was it, that was how I worked my way through. I worked as an assistant at Rachel Zoe, I assisted at Vogue, I assisted at Elle, you have to be willing to do the stuff you don’t want to do to in order to be able to do the stuff you want to do. I always tell my assistants that.

   I went to Commerce, a lovely little place, at an almost hidden location in the west village for Easter brunch. The food was amazing. The bread basket offered a variety of fresh made breads and the cocktails were delicious. Nice happening place, I totally recommend it! Don't forget to make reservations!

   click here to see me snapped on Japanese Vogue!

   Hmm what to wear... gold or silver?  Would it be totally weird if I wore both?! Please help ladies!!

Click here to check out our Candy Coral dress at Intermix!

 jealous??

    Staying at the beautiful Viceroy Anguilla for my small beach bash! Could anything be more inspiring than this    
     cake? I think I am going to plan my resort collection around this- the colors are amazing!!! Happy Birthday to 
     ME and my dear love Mara Hoffman... I LOVE YOU!

   Never leave home without it!! It's my favorite product of all time!! I am on a plane right     
   now and had to give a loving shout-out to the most amazing product that keeps my skin  
   glowing, hydrated, and rested, even on a 5am flight!!! Not to mention it's my favorite color: 
   blue! Hmmmmmm....I wonder if i was subconsciously inspired by this product for our 
   winter collection coming out next month which is predominantly blue?? :) Anyway, you 
   have to try it!