ABOUT NEENA ZEVE DESIGNS
Neena Zeve Designs is a boutique specializing in unique fashions for women. Neena Zeve Designs has been in business for twelve years and is based in Brooklyn, New York. All products are made in the Brooklyn studio and use locally sourced materials from New York City whenever possible. The primary materials used are silk, cotton, and wool.
The fashions made by Neena Zeve consist of handmade one-of-a-kind seasonal outerwear such as capes, jackets, and coats; knitted accessories such as hats and matching scarves, and flower brooches made of ribbon and paired with matching vintage scarves. All pieces are distinguished by the use of traditional couture embellishment techniques such as beading and smocking and fabric manipulation. I have also created a line of shawls made of silk and cotton which are enhanced with appropriate embellishments Neena Zeve's fashions appeal to women who want to buy distinctive garments that are made to last.
The Process
After assembling a garment using a sewing machine, the fabric is draped in a particular way and then enhanced with beading or smocking. This process entails experimenting with different types of smocking patterns or beads in order to find the most appropriate kind of embellishment that will add to the overall effect. Though the same pattern and basic construction process is used, each garment is different in its conception and development. For this reason, I look for fabrics that inspire me to create a fashion piece: I look for beautiful fabric with striking prints and colors which have a certain structure that will keep the shape of the garment and serve as a base for my embellishments. I am partial to oranges, greens and blues because I lived in an area of the world where these colors are prevalent in the landscape.
Where to Buy Neena Zeve Designs
In addition to buying from my website, selections from Neena Zeve Designs are available at The Canvas Oculus which is located within the Westfield World Trade Center in Lower Manhattan. a fashion retailer and artist collective based in New York City. With a focus on sustainability and ethical fashion practices, The Canvas brings together independent designers, creators, and brands from around the world to offer unique fashion experiences that aim to revitalize the fashion industry and beyond. Neena Zeve Designs is a member of The Canvas.
The Inspiration
The overall inspiration for Neena Zeve’s collections comes from three major sources. One is a color palette and fabric patterns that come from the Mediterranean region where the designer lived for several years.The blues, oranges, and greens are some of the dominant colors in the region.
The patterns in the fabrics are frequently reminiscent of designs found in buildings such as cupolas which dot the skylines of cities and in artifacts in the region.
A second source of inspiration is a set of ‘old school’ embellishment techniques including beading, smocking and pleating. These embellishments produce exciting effects, create interest in the clothing and distinguish Neena Zeve’s garments from other designers.
A third source of inspiration is the architectural fashions of Charles James, an American designer who had a profound influence on fashion in the early twentieth century. James was known for his structured garments and exquisite detail. Neena Zeve has been inspired by what James created, especially his 1920s cocoon coats and his attention to detail and used these ideas as takeoff points for the design of Neena Zeve's coats, jackets, and capes and accessories which evoke the 1920s look.
Sustainability
One of the major trends in the industry has been the notion of sustainabiiity, It is a notion that is still being defined. From Neena Zeve Designs perspective, sustainability means using fabric remnants that would ordinarily be discarded and recreating them into beautiful garments. In my case, I bought a lot of fabric remnants from an upholstery store in Massachusetts where instead of discarding these remnants, the company puts them out for sale. Many of these remnants are perfect for creating my capes and jackets. They are very sturdy so they can support my draping and smocking embellishments and also are made to be long lasting one of the trademarks of my company’s fashions. My idea of sustainability is that people will buy my classic garments and wear them for years to come.