Division Street Interview: Shipley & Halmos

With just an hour before their next fitting, Jeff Halmos and Sam Shipley were gracious enough to let us come by Friday morning and photograph them in their amazing studio space.

As we sat down preparing for the shoot, we chatted about NYC real estate (steep), the Fall shows (madness), and a lack of hot water in pre-war buildings (cold). Without even trying, it became obvious who these two are designing for: a guy and girl who cannot be labeled as preppy, hipster, modern or retro.

It's not West Coast Free City nor is it NYC Helmut Lang. It's clothing that will grant you respect and a whisky at The Carlyle and some envious stares and a smoke at Beatrice. And we were fortunate enough to get candid with Jeff and Sam: two guys who don't seem to care to get into either.

DS: First thing I do when i get out of bed is...

Sam Shipley: Cuss...

DS: Favorite article of clothing right now and why?

Jeff Halmos: A pair of Shipley & Halmos shorts we did for Spring 08 bc it is 100 degrees outside.

DS: In regards to the design of your upcoming collection for Spring is there a style icon that might have influenced you?

SS: Actually, our inspiration for our Spring 09 collection has nothing to do with iconic people, places or things. It's a reflection of the people who emerge from the winter months perhaps a bit pale, maybe a bit out of shape, maybe fit as a fiddle but confident,ready to look great and have a kick-ass summer. Those are the people we are looking for.

DS: Who is the epitome of "NY"?

JH: Sean Combs.

DS: What are three spots in NY you like to eat at?

SS: Barrio Chino, Royal Burger and Jubilee Marketplace.

DS: Funny, I eat lunch at Jubilee everyday. We're also neighbors, my office is across the street. But back to the serious questions. I frown upon reality TV, except for this show:

JH: Dateline "To Catch a Predator." Wait, before you judge my character, you need to see Chris Hansen in action. His sarcasm and condescending tone is as close to a real-life SNL character as you'll find.

DS: First CD you bought:

SS: First tape: Run DMC/Raising Hell. First CD: Pennywise/Pennywise.

DS: Do you read blogs, if so which ones?

JH: I still haven't figured out what a blog really is.

DS: Where do you get your haircut?

SS: Freeman's, Joey is the man over there.

DS: Well I won't tell Van you said that.

DS: Where did the two of you meet?

JH: Boulder, Colorado.

DS: Music that's playing in your studio?

SS: Zeppelin, The Faces (anything with Rod Stewart), Mott the Hoople, Miley Cyrus,

The Kinks, Bowie, BTO, REO, ELO, Grand Funk Railroad...

DS: You've sort of kicked off this prepster movement. How are you guys going to

continue to keep it fresh?

JH: Wrap trousers, also known as skirts, for men are going to be big in 09.

DS: So-and-so for H&M and XYZ for Target. What are these "collaborations" saying about

the fashion industry and where it's going?

SS: They're great, it's a good way for designers to get national/global recognition. It

brings people to the brands who might otherwise never know they exist. There's a lot

of them out there, by why not... ?

DS: What is something that just really annoys you?

JH: Canal Street.