I have always thought that the most clever people in the fashion and arts industries are the ones who embody to the ability to edit. To be able to trust a intuitive response to something, for reasons unknown at the time, pull it out, place it above the discardable and celebrate it – In a […]
Exclusive Interview with Kai Avent-deLeon of Sincerely,Tommy
I have always thought that the most clever people in the fashion and arts industries are the ones who embody to the ability to edit. To be able to trust a intuitive response to something, for reasons unknown at the time, pull it out, place it above the discardable and celebrate it – In a world where copious amounts of information and imagery are at our fingertips, this is a definite skill.
With a fine eye that stretches across a curation of brands, a retail space and its online presence, her home and her own personal wardrobe, Kai Avent-deLeon, owner of Brooklyn-based store Sincerely, Tommy, oozes said editing skills in the form of artistic direction.
Sincerely, Tommy houses an idea, a vision and focus on what it means to be a Sincerely Tommy woman; It’s a running thread from Henri Matisse to Karla Spectic, Silk Bomber Jackets to Indian architecture. Visually it make sense, it speaks to the right kind of girl and creates a unique position for itself to support exciting and emerging designers on a global scale.
This week, I was lucky enough to speak with owner and director of Sincerely, Tommy Kai Avent-deLeon. Having not yet met Kai, I love the fact that, in her answers, you can read her excitement for and dedication to everything that is happening for Sincerely, Tommy. Obvious style and personality aside, I suspect Kai would be the kind of person you’d instantly engage and have fun with, you’d learn something new and come away feeling inspired.
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Tell us about your home.
My home is my sanctuary so I always treat it as such. I am always running around so it’s important for me to be able to come home to a clean and peaceful space. I grew up living in brownstones for most of my life so the old charm in our current apartment is very nostalgic for me. There is a lot of original woodwork in the apartment so I created a balance by adding modern and mid-century furniture. I try to find pieces that I love v’s things that go together or match, it’s more personal that way. Whenever I travel I will try and get a few things for the apartment just to add touches of personality here and there.
– What would be some of your favorite pieces in your wardrobe and why?
Right now I adore my winter coat, it’s a Dries Van Noten mauve oversized coat. It’s the perfect size and I always feel really chic yet comfy in it. I have these really cool nude colored neoprene culottes that a designer friend (Lauren Levin) designed as part of a capsule collection for my store, Sincerely, Tommy. I just found this really cool vintage spot where I discovered this amazing ash black pleated Dior dress from the 60s, it almost looks like a school girl dress. Overall, my favorite piece from this past F/W are the Lautem bags from Spain we stock at Sincerely, Tommy. They are really structured, either in the shape of a box or rectangle with skinny metal hardware used for the handles. They’re just really unique.
– How would you describe your style?
I am all about comfort, as long as I feel good then the rest is pretty easy. I love wearing pieces that are unique and really special. I look at style as an art v’s being trendy or wearing what’s “in”. I love mixing textures, metallics, and my go-to is a dress paired with sneakers. I feel sexiest when I’m dressed as myself. Lately, I have been shopping in the men’s section of some of my favorite shops, but I love that I am discovering a lot of lines that are doing unisex collections. Otherwise, I am sucker for Celine and Acne.
– Any women that you like to look to for inspiration?
There are several women I look at and say “wow, she is so classy”. I love elegant women because they can wear anything from a trash bag to a couture gown and carry it off. Women like Diane Keaton, Angela Basset, Jessica Lange, Margeaux Hemingway, and sooo many more.
– What silhouettes are you loving at the moment?
I absolutely love the wide leg trousers that are making a comeback. I am also seeing a lot of silk taffeta being used in several collections this spring, which is one of my favorite fabrics. We are going to be stocking a line from Australia, called Georgia Alice and they’re using a lot of the silk tafetta to bring back the off-the-shoulder tops in a really beautiful way.
– Are you an accessories lover? Do you wear statement pieces, or any pieces that you never take off?
I keep it pretty basic with pieces from my jewelry line, BYDORI. I wear the shapes bracelet from my collection everyday paired with the shapes earrings. Sometimes I go for a good chunky bracelet or necklace when I am wearing a simple outfit. Because I am a native Brooklyn girl I have the classic name plate that was purchased in Fulton Mall (when it still existed). I love Shayla Cox jewelry, Apres Ski, and Cleto Munari jewelry.
– And what about make-up? What is your beauty regime like?
I don’t wear a lot of make up, but I am obsessed with this product from Becca called Shimmering Skin Protector. It makes my face glow! I use pure vitamin E oil on my skin and pure unscented argan oil for my hair. I always walk around with a small block of amber balm that I got in Morocco, it’s my favorite fragrance right now.
– Sincerely Tommy is a very beautiful store! What main ideas did you want translated inside this space?
I wanted a minimalist space so that there would always be room to play around with accent pieces. Like my clothes, I love textures so I picked marble, oak, concrete, and steel to create an open and minimalist environment. I went with clean lines to create symmetry in different areas and had these custom non-framed mirrors made for the fitting room so that it created the illusion of a larger space. I wanted people to feel like they were in a different area when they walked into the store because it’s not in a neighborhood where other businesses like it exist.
– I absolutely love your curation of products. Which designers do you have your eye on? What is it about them that has caught your attention?
Thank you! When I am buying I usually pick out pieces v’s collections. I like for each piece to tell a story, that can mean that there is only item from a collection that I am really drawn to. I am really excited about the new lines we have picked up for SS’15; Nikki Chasin, Loza Maleombho, FFixxed, Penny Sage, and L’ENCHANTEUR. Each of these lines are so different from the other, but the pieces I have picked out work so well together. I think the designers from these labels were all really influenced by their surroundings and it speaks through the collections.
– What magazines do you look forward to reading?
I love the FADER, Purple magazine, Cable magazine, and so many more. We carry a great selection of indepedent magazines in store that cater to all things culture, music, and fashion.
– How do you spend your Sundays?
My favorite day of the week! I’ll usually wake up late then go to brunch at one of my favorite brunch spots in Brooklyn, Sun in Bloom. Then we will hit the flea market in the city on 25th St. I always find really good pieces and they negotiate! Sunday is always my resting day so I use it as time to spoil myself. My favorite thing to do is to visit the MET, it doesn’t matter what exhibition is on. I love it there because my father would always take me growing up so it’s a really special place. If I can swing it, I will check out a film at Angelika or BAM.
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sincerelytommy.com/
Instagram: @SincerelyTommy_
Kai’s Instagram: @kaiaventdeleon
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Images via Backyard Bill and Garance Dore.
