Don’t think girls can play in a guy’s world? Think again. Meet Eunice Lee, the extremely talented designer behind UNIS. Her understated and chic collections offer an array of color, pattern, and fabric that are making sound waves in the men’s fashion industry. She has been recognized as a nominee by GQ for Best New Designer. Do not allow the gender fool you, Eunice Lee makes guy’s clothes and her line is a new favorite of the Grungy Gentleman…
Grungy Gentleman chats with Eunice Lee, designer of UNIS below…
Grungy Gentleman: How would you describe the UNIS brand's aesthetic to our audience?
Eunice Lee: UNIS is a brand that’s always been about understated style. There is nothing tricky about the clothing. Its simplicity is what’s so great. I love that a guy can wear head-to-toe UNIS and not look like a walking advertisement for the brand.
EL: I think it’s the same answer as above...I design and sell understated, cool clothing to real guys. I’m confident enough as a designer to keep it simple and my customer is confident and savvy enough to know that’s what he wants. I’ve always concentrated on fit and quality. I work really hard to offer fashionable pieces without sacrificing comfort; a quality that most American men cannot live without. I also think UNIS offers a more edited and sophisticated assortment of patterns, colors, and fabrications within our line.
EL: For this Spring ‘11 collection, I was really excited about colors and patterns. I was inspired by some great beachy styles from the 50’s and 60’s. I designed a few shirting patterns for the first time ever, as well as my own prints for shorts. It is a luxury I have never had before and it was fun tying it all together.
EL: For Fall it’s my peacoat. I update it every year. This fall, I
fabricated it in a great cotton moleskin and a beautiful Italian wool
melton. Outerwear is always an investment piece and something that will never go out of style. The pique polo is my new favorite piece for Spring 11. I love that the polo is such a great American staple. For spring/summer, it’s that easy piece that you can pull out and wear everyday. I love the way our polo fits and feels. It’s THE perfect polo!
[The Oscar]
GG: What is one piece every man should have as a staple in his wardrobe?
EL: A great fitting chino! The UNIS chino is called the Gio. Our retailers sell out of this style in a few weeks. My friends and customers tell me that they’ve never received so many compliments on any other pant they’ve ever worn. It’s a “skinny” chino, but I think that it’s actually a great fitting slim style, that looks different than a lot of other chinos. The Gio is actually a very complicated pant. It’s built like a real men’s tailored pant, but made of amazing cotton twill that we wash (not too much). For a guy that’s never really owned something so slim, it takes a bit of getting used to. But once you wear it for a week, you won’t want to take them off because it’s so much more comfortable than a pair of jeans. And more importantly, its THE piece you have to have in your wardrobe! The Gio really updates your entire wardrobe.
[The Gio]
GG: How did it feel to be nominated for best new menswear designer by GQ? Well deserved I may add!
EL: I was pretty blown away. So many people in the biz, as well as my own customers were very excited. I was the first woman to be nominated. There aren’t very many women designing menswear. I think secretly there was a ton of people in the industry who were rooting for me to win. In the end Billy Reid won, but we received a huge amount of press and gained a whole new audience. Hey, I guess UNIS wouldn’t be UNIS if we weren’t the underdog...Wink!
GG: Your line is in Bloomingdales. How has that opened up new doors for you as a designer?
EL: I’ve been in Bloomingdales for many years but most people don’t know that. We’ve been in their NY flagship store and Soho store only. A small brand like UNIS isn’t always ready or capable to ship to a department store. It is incredibly complicated. Bloomingdales is currently expanding UNIS into 5 of their locations for Spring ’11, including their new store in Santa Monica. They recently invested in their men’s contemporary department and have been incredibly supportive of young designers. They carry a ton of great brands. It can be difficult to find great men’s boutiques in every city in America. Being in a store like Bloomingdale’s allows me the ability to gain expose for UNIS into cities that may not have many cool retail options for men. Other specialty boutiques like Apartment Number 9, Fred Segal Man, and Ron Herman, along with Bloomingdales have been carrying my collection for a range of 6-10 years. I am so grateful for that kind of support! So the answer is yes, I think that the consistency of being in Bloomingdales only increases confidence in other stores to also invest in a small brand like UNIS. I’m grateful for their support and all you guys out there should check out the Bloomingdales men’s contemporary section. It is looking the best it has ever looked!
GG: Can you explain to the audience the collaboration you did with Sit and Read Furniture?
EL: We found Kyle through other blogs and thought it would be an interesting project. It has given us both a huge amount of cool press. It’s great to let go of control and have someone else design and merchandise the store. Kyle has done an amazing job. His aesthetic is such a great fit for UNIS. Everything is for sale and people are buying his very special pieces.
EL: I have a few things that are only in the initial stages of
conversation...so I guess everyone will have to stay tuned!
EL: Boxers! I’ll probably be testing and fitting them 100 times before I can put them into my stores. I want them to be perfect...like everything else in the collection!
[More looks and product from UNIS below...]
FELIX (peach/sky)
FELIX (aqua/pink)
FELIX (cream/brown/green)
TOM (gray/white)
ELLIOT (blue/charcoal)
TOM (blue)
ADAM (faded pink)
NOAH (chalk)
ETHAN (blood orange)
JACK (navy)
GRADY (dark emerald)
GRADY (pale pink)
SAWYER (blue stripe)
SAWYER (rust)
BRYCE (khaki)
ALEISTER (heather gray)
MILITARY (gray)
5 comments:
i am loving this line
I bought a shirt from unis at odin and the shirt is 1 of my favorites. very cool
cool collection !! I need one of those grady pants
that military jacket is amazing
Been a fan for ten years... wish I could wear more!
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