Soni & Cindy
Issue #33
Sibling rivalry is no issue for these NYC fashion forces
By Kelly Mellott
Published: September 1st, 2007 | 12:00am
Sisters Sonia and Cindy Huang, the duo behind up-and-coming label Soni & Cindy, cite two true loves as major sources of inspiration: their favorite music and their hometown of New York City.
After attending the prestigious LaGuardia High School for arts and continuing on to study the arts in college (Sonia to NYU and Cindy to Parsons School of Design), the sisters landed in the world of fashion. Sonia started off in fashion sales in the showrooms of designers Hugo Boss, Satine Showroom, Stella McCartney, and Chloe. Cindy got her start as an intern for Jill Stuart until eventually scoring a dream position designing for Diane von Furstenberg. In their teenage years, both Soni and Cindy were regulars at NYC underground shows, submerging themselves in the culture that would become their greatest influence in their designing days. Now, the two women discuss what it was like to work from the ground up to launch their Lower East Side boutique, Suite Orchard, and create their own ready-to-wear line for the everyday girly girl with a heart of rocknroll.
Do each of you have specific roles?
We both come up with concepts and designs. Cindy does the designing, sketching, and prints. Sonia does the merchandising, production, and handles all the business.
Who are your favorite musicians?
We like anyone from the Beatles to Ella Fitzgerald, from Weezer and Rancid to the White Stripes and Blonde Redhead.
The fashion world often gets a bad rap for vanity. Do you defend it as an art form?
Yes, definitely. Fashion, just like art, is freedom of expression. It’s all objective. Fashion can be anything and anyone or thing can be fashionable.
What’s the best part about working with a sibling?
You can fight one minute and still be best friends the next. There is only truth and no holding back with your sister. We fight like all sisters, but we are close in age and have similar taste and style.
What’s in the future for Soni and Cindy?
Soni & Cindy will be a bit more sophisticated, but still keeping with her girlishness and edge. We will be adding more dresses and making her a little sexier. Soni & Cindy will be in Henri Bendel as well as a handful of select specialty boutiques across the country and Canada.
Comments
Please login to be able to comment on this article.
more