Smith Sinrod: FACES of the South
Vintage designs, luxurious fabrics, bright hues and Southern style come together in Smith Sinrod's signature <em>by SMITH</em> collection ... and she's taking her fashion sense on the road!
Sheβs followed her fashion muse from childhood hobby projects in her north Florida hometown of Pensacola to a degree in apparel design from the University of Alabama on to a career in New York and the launch of her own line, by SMITH, in 2010. Now, Smith Sinrod reclaims her Southern roots, relocating to New Orleans to create a home with her husband andΒ build her brand.
How old were you when you first recognized yourΒ passion?
My mom really encouraged me to explore my creative side from a young age. I took watercolor painting classes, experimented with my own personal style and pursued different artistic avenues that let me focus my interests. Luckily, my mom embraced this, encouraging my individuality, and itβs pushed me to take chances with my own designs. Iβm fortunate that I found a career path allowingΒ me to express myself Β and channelΒ my creativity.
What do you think defines Southern style, and how has that impacted your designs?
I think what defines Southern style is comfortable elegance. Weather can change instantly across the South, so I always try to design pieces with fabrics and patterns that transition well from day to night and desk to drinks. Southern women also love colorful clothing and canβt get enough of fun prints, my two favorite things to incorporate in my collections. I try to keep each collection fairly classic, adding my own spin with vibrant prints and geometric shape detailing. I also work to designΒ pieces that arenβt trend-driven, but that can be styled as wardrobe staples worn from season to season.
Many of our readers may have first seenΒ your line during a Streaminβ by Smith event. Are you planning more of those? How did you decide to load up an Airstream and hit the road?
One weekend, my husband Harris and I were in Brooklyn at Smorgasburg, a huge food truck event drawing over 100 vendors and great crowds. This triggered the idea to go mobile with my line, and a vintage Airstream seemed to be the perfect way to do it. I wanted to create an event that would be fun for families and friends, bringingΒ together local artisans in a no-pressure atmosphere not just focused on shopping. IΒ thought maybe I could put a spin on a trunk show by holding it out of a vintage Airstream trunk and making it a place to eat and drink and connect with the community.
On our first trip, we drove the airstream from Dallas to New Orleans, Montgomery, Nashville, Atlanta, Birmingham and smaller towns in between. We were fortunate to partner with so many local artisans and small businesses, ranging from jewelers to food trucks, and it really made for collaborative events appealing to a variety of audiences in their own neighborhoods. Our first trip was such as success, we hosted the September Streaminβ event a month later, hosting more shows throughout the South. We definitely want to do the Airstream event again with a few new surprises βΒ so stay tuned!
Who are your personal fashion icons, past or present? Who do you wish you could dress?
My late great-grandmother was one of my personal fashion icons. She was always put together β very polished with elegant taste β and truly made an impact on my design style. In present day, I wish I could dress someone like Kristen Bell or Jennifer Lawrence. Both have such playful attitudes, and neither shy fromΒ unique, fun prints and patterns. I think they would be great to work with.
Whatβs inspiring you right now?
I am inspired by architecture and incorporate it by using geometric shapes for detailing and cutouts in my designs. I love structured necklines and makingΒ a simple style slightly different with small details. My pieces showΒ distinct references to the Art Deco-style architecture. Iβm really curious to see how my upcoming move to New Orleans will be reflected in my design aesthetic. Itβs been pretty surreal packing up and leaving New York after five years, but itβs allowed me to have a different perspective on what pieces Iβm designing and the direction I want the line to take.
Whatβs been your most treasured adviceΒ youβve received?
Never give up. My dad regularly told my sisters and me this, encouraging us to be strong, no matter what. Even though itβs pretty straightforward, itβs pretty indicative of how my career has gone the past couple of years. Iβve had challenging times along the way, but they all lead to growth.
Everyone has suffered from a few fashion donβts β¦ bad perms, unfortunate prom dresses, etc. Whatβs your secret βclosetβ regret?
Oh, goodness! Iβve always had my own style,Β includingΒ phases where I incorporated eccentric items into my daily wardrobe, such as crazy hats for each day of the week (quite a time for self-expression). I was dubbed βhat girlβ in lower school β¦ I am not sure that was one of my finer moments. After hats, I moved into the butterfly clips. We have all had our moments, but itβs okay to explore what makes you comfortable, even if it is a set of crazy hats or bold accessories. If it makes the person wearing it happy, no one else should care. I actually commend the peopleΒ doing their own thing β that takes courage.
Now that youβre back down South, letβs chat food! Whatβs your go-to comfort food?
Grits, hands down. Thatβs something Iβve truly missed livingΒ in New York. Itβs a dish that reminds me of the South, and when I get home, itβs the first thing I crave.
New Orleans certainly gives you restaurant bliss. Where are some of your favorite spots?
Well, I am such a new kid around here β¦ hmmm, I would say Clancyβs, Bouligny Tavern, St. James Cheese, SatsumaΒ and Butcher. When we hosted our Airstream event in New Orleans, we hadΒ The Boxcar food truck cater, and they are one of my favorite local food trucks!
Do you have a bucket list travel destination?
I would love to go to Spain. Between the food, scenery and wine, I donβt know if I would ever leave!
When you do travel, whatβs in your carry-on bag?
I always have my laptop, raincoat (another thing my dad enforcedβno traveling without a raincoat), black waterproof eyeliner, spare contacts, socks, Chapstick and a sketchbook β¦ not sure I would survive with those items, but they are my go-to carry-on survival pieces.
How do you relax and de-stress?
I love cooking and hanging out with my husband. Itβs important to shut off work mode and hang out. And you have to eat, so why not cook something delicious while catching up!
Which book do you most often recommend or gift?
My First New York.Β Itβs a compilation of famous New Yorkersβ first experiences in the city, and Iβve been able to relate to so many of their stories.
Name three things you just canβt live without, other than faith, family and friends.
Laughter. Sarcasm. Humility.
Smith, weβll be looking for your pieces at our local boutiques and watching for the Airstream to pull up in our cities. Thank you for chatting with StyleBlueprint, and welcome back home to the South! Check bysmithcollection.com for images of the entire collection and where-to-buy information.
Enjoy readingΒ all our FACES of the South features in our StyleBlueprint Southern Edition.
