Troy Anthony
~ Designer ~
By Kristina Christopher
Copa Style Magazine Fashion Correspondent
It’s a lovely day in the DMV. My drive from Silver Spring, Maryland to Clarendon, Virginia along the Rock Creek Parkway gives me ample opportunity to enjoy the fall foliage at its peak. The temperature is perfect for leaving the windows down and I’m loving the way my new Mini Cooper hugs every turn in the winding road.
Speaking of winding roads, I’m in awe of where my journey has led me, that I am about to have lunch with a designer, an actual designer! Not just any designer…his collections have graced the runways of Paris, New York, and, more recently, D.C. where I had the privilege of viewing his Maximus 2023 Collection from a 2nd-row seat.
I’m speaking of Troy Anthony, who greets me warmly upon his arrival at Circa restaurant (“We do hugs,” he tells me). He’s dressed in a checkered long sleeve shirt layered with a beige colored, semi-puffer sleeveless jacket, the perfect combination for the fall season. He seems as eager to meet me as I am him, which speaks to his humble nature, and we have so much to share with each other that we jump right in.
Originally from Minneapolis, MN (“Oh, I love that city!” I blurt out, leading to a side conversation about the jazz scene there, and Anthony’s fascination with Prince), he was inspired to go into fashion by the women in his family. “I grew up with a lot of fashionable women in my family,” he says, noting that this was in the pre-internet era. He was impressed by “seeing how they carried themselves.” His Grandmother taught him sewing at a young age, and in high school he hosted art shows and designed for his friends. He earned his BA at the International College of Design in Tampa, FL and ended up staying. “It was a good place to start a business,” Anthony says, “but after 12 years I took high fashion there as far as I could.” Working odd jobs overnight and running his own business during the day, his time in Tampa was well spent – he showed at Tampa Bay fashion week, Art Basel, and Festivals of Speed, which eventually led to an opportunity to work in New York. Currently he maintains a boutique in Connecticut called Anthony’s Fashion that he started 6 years ago; only this past year did he decide to expand his presence to the DC area. “I love the diversity here,” he says.
Since his move to the Northeast, he’s shown at NYFW 3 years in a row, and last year he designed his first international collection, “Angelic,” for Paris Fashion Week. While in France, he spent 3 days in Lyon doing research for the launch of his signature fragrance. “You’re remembered by your scent,” he tells me, “[what’s important is] understanding notes that attract your palette.” He gives the example of a lover’s T-shirt left behind, to describe his mantra: “make yourself memorable.
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” When asked how one even begins such an endeavor as designing a signature fragrance, let alone an haute couture collection, he stresses the importance of groundwork and research. He shares that he is “big on fabric – I need to make sure I can get the fabric in volume.” It’s important too that his clothing is made in the US; “I want to try and provide jobs, I want to help the economy.” It’s also a matter of quality control. “It’s easier to check and approve the samples,” Anthony says, “it’s much harder to go overseas.” In true entrepreneurial fashion, Troy Anthony is very hands-on in all aspects of the production. “I’m still sewing a lot of the dresses myself,” he says, noting that he owns 15 industrial sewing machines. His approach currently is to focus on limited edition runs, which are easier to manage. As his business grows, he is slowly building a team, which currently consists of 5 seamstresses. “I don’t have a lot of resources yet,” he admits. “I need to wear multiple hats. [As an emerging designer], you’re still trying to get your brand out there, to get your foot in the door.”
I ask if his participation in Fashion Weeks have helped his business, and he answers that yes, it’s helped to have the exposure and to “have a voice.” When asked what his message is, he answers, “be yourself but be fashionable. Make your first impression count and don’t always play it safe. Be open to standing out and trying new things. Push the envelope.” Which is why his focus is on wearable couture, designed to “elevate your sense of style.” “Fashion shouldn’t always be comfortable,” he adds. “It should have functionality” …. which is why his pieces include subtle details such as lining, or hidden pockets, to make it more wearable. He also stresses the importance of “not changing but enhancing” the wearer. He says he thinks of himself as “Designing Fashion with a Solution."
“Where do you think the fashion industry is heading?” I ask. He sums it up in one word: sustainability. “People are looking for clothing that will last more than one season.” Which is why Anthony wants to include an educational component to his brand to help his audience “find ways to mix and match…. adding value to each piece.” He also wants to encourage his clients to be “become confident in their clothing.” So what are the next steps for Troy Anthony? He is looking to create a design studio / boutique here in the DC area where he can welcome clients and design all under the same roof. We also discussed the importance of networking.
“I try to always be learning,” he says. “Inspiration is everywhere.”
To learn more, check out website www.troyanthony.com
You can follow him on social media @troyanthonyfashion Until next time, keep it fashionable.
To learn more, check out website www.troyanthony.com
You can follow him on social media @troyanthonyfashion Until next time, keep it fashionable.
