Meet the Creative Minds Behind Colovos
Fresh from winning the Woolmark Prize for Womenswear, design duo Michael and Nicole Colovos talk inspiration, plus share their downtown haunts.
Meet husband and wife design duo Michael and Nicole Colovos whose New York-based fashion label Colovos was crowned winner of this year’s International Woolmark Prize for Womenswear.
Colovos, which launched in 2015 has garnered a strong following for its modern relaxed take on classic tailoring seamlessly blending architectural lines with thoughtful details and clever plays on proportion to create a finished deconstructed look. Inspired by skateboard culture, alternative music, and contemporary art, the label favors luxury sustainable fabrics as part of its deep commitment to a low environmental footprint. Past collections have seen the designers, who are the former Creative Directors of Helmut Lang, source fabric from recycled ocean plastic and eschew leather and fur for faux alternatives.
For the Woolmark collection finalists were tasked with producing a collection entirely from Australian merino wool. Colovos took things to the next level by partnering only with mills who responsibly farmed and produced wools, sending production scraps to a facility that breaks down the fiber with steam and citrus to be re-spun into new yarns, and using recycled materials for the trim, button, labels, and hangtags. Every hangtag features a QR code detailing the backstory and traceability of the garment.
“I’ve always championed natural fibers and was inspired by the functionality of vintage sportswear and how chic it looks,” says Michael Colovos of the Woolmark collection, which references wool sportswear and denim workwear throughout history. I am drawn to lightweight yet textured wools for their lived-in look and the sense of history of denim workwear, which is more relevant than ever.” Highlights of the collection include a water and wind-resistant wool puffa jacket, fine-knit sweaters engineered with a three-dimensional relief pattern, an asymmetrical ribbed knit dress and denim look staples made from an innovative new ultra-fine wool.
Here, the Colovoses, who live and work from their warehouse loft in TriBeCa, share with GrandLife their favorite downtown haunts.
Eat…
The Odeon, TriBeCa: “Our trusty local and a New York classic with a rich history. We love the warm retro feel of this Parisian style brasserie, which has the best steak frites and American burgers.”
Shop…
Consignment Brooklyn, Boerum Hill: “It’s worth a trip to Brooklyn to visit this second-hand consignment store which has a great curated mix of high and low vintage designer pieces. It also ticks the sustainability box for us.”
Drink…
Shigure, TriBeCa: “We could live on Japanese, and Shigure is delicious and has hands down the best sake selection in town.”
Culture…
Dia Beacon, The Brant Foundation, Gagosian, The Whitney Museum: “We love contemporary art. Dia Beacon and The Brant Foundation always do amazing exhibits of unusual rare pieces, and Gagosian is always good. The Whitney also showcases great established and emerging modern artists.”
Unwind…
Shibui Spa, Greenwich Hotel and TriBeCa: “Shibui is a relaxing oasis in the middle of the city. The dimly lit space has a lap pool and steam room, which we always take advantage of before a massage. The spa also uses natural plant-based and organic beauty products.”
The Colovos X Woolmark collection is available at Barneys New York, Mytheresa, David Jones, Takashimaya, and online at Colovos.com.
WORDS Natasha Silva-Jelly
PHOTOGRAPHY courtesy of Colovos
