At the moment I am in London where I met the lovely dynamic designer duo Kaufmanfranco at the net-à-porter offices yesterday. The New York label’s signature is dazzling evening wear that’s delicately embellished, plus modern day wear with an urban twist.
Isaac Franco to the left and Ken Kaufman to the right with me
Their sleek American style have landed them a stockpile of fans in every age group, spanning Taylor Swift to Jennifer Aniston. Calling themselves “the New Sensualists”, their designs are pure sophistication.
Taylor Swift and Jennifer Aniston in Kaufmanfranco (Photos: Getty Images)
It was lovely talking to the charismatic designer duo who answered openly my questions.
Ken Kaufman and Isaac Franco met over 25 years ago. FIT-alumni Ken offered Isaac his first job who at that time had just finished his studies at Parsons School of Design. Since then, the two have been working constantly together for the likes of Valentino or Emanuel Ungaro, just to name a few. In 2004, they decided to launch their own label.
You two seem like yin and yang, same vision, different approach but complementing each other perfectly. Who designs which part of the collection?
Me, Isaac, I take care in general of the day wear styles and Ken is more into eveningwear.
How can I imagine your creative process?
Each of us designs and does sketches that we present each other. We then sometimes change what the other came up with which makes our designs better and special.
Whom would you like to dress? This could be also a person in history.
I think Madonna. But I have recently been asked whom I would like to invite for dinner and I thought Moses and Madonna would make a great combination at the dinner table.
Why don’t you do a runway show?
We are still a small label and prefer putting all the money into the clothes.
Last night, I got a wonderful preview of the Kaufmanfranco F/W 2012 collection that is full of sophisticated cocktail looks and all the fall coats and dresses you need. The colours are dark, from black to silver and rust. The materials are luxurious with lots of embellished pieces, Kaufmanfranco’s signature style. Enjoy the photos that I took for you:
If I have whetted your appetite for some Kaufmanfranco shopping, I would like to invite you to explore their S/S 2012 collection which is in stores now by clicking here.
LoL, Sandra
Photos: Courtesy of Kaufmanfranco and © Sandra Bauknecht
Photos: © Sandra Bauknecht