10 Questions with Giovanna Randall of HONOR NYC

Designer Giovanna Randall of HONOR NYC

1) Tell us about your background before you became a designer and has it influenced your designs today.

I grew up in a family of artists and creators. My instincts have always led me to make what I wanted to see or wear. I studied music before fashion design but, as a performer I was equally interested in making what I would wear on stage. I took many paths before realizing that I was lucky enough to be able to love and live what I do.

2) How did the name Honor come about and what does it mean when describing your company?

My sister’s name is Honor. When I started my brand, I wanted to call it something dearer to me than my own name. I thought seeing my name on the label was too self-aggrandizing so I chose her name. I also have a brother, Jason who I adore, but the word Honor also has so much meaning for me. It’s about honoring those who came before, the traditions of beautiful couture sewing, and also honoring strong, unique and stylish women, past and present.

3) What is the aesthetic vision of the brand, and who were your muses when you started the company?

I started my first collection with some pictures of my grandmothers, Brigitte Bardot, Catherine Deneuve in Belle de Jour and stills of Paris from The Red Balloon. I wanted to create a brand that felt like a discovery from the past. Special pieces brought back to life, worn by strong, fearless iconic women.

4) What are the core values of Honor?

Honor will always be about loving the fine details and the fabrics without getting too fussy. The company is about appreciation for the skills that go into making beautiful clothing. The collections were always and continue to be made here in New York City.

5) Tell us about the concept of the bridal collection.

I Love to create the things I dream about. I feel like wedding dresses should transcend ordinary life and take you beyond just the clothing. Somewhere into what it feels like to be in love. They’re precious and tactile and sometimes fragile… they’re emotional and multidimensional, but unexpected.

6) What type of fabrics and silhouettes do you like to use?

The fabrics have to be delicious and feel amazing to the touch. I develop a lot of unique prints and hand embroidered details. Most of my pieces are made of silks from Italy, France and Switzerland. The silhouettes are classic with unusual embellishments and textures.

7) Describe the process for a bride who would like to buy a wedding dress from the Atelier and are the dresses available in other bridal salons?

The bride who chooses HONOR will be getting a made to measure version of her dream dress. After a bride orders her gown, I personally see to every detail, and will oversee fittings to be sure she leaves feeling truly content with her wedding gown.

8) Tell us about the special artisans that work on Honor clothing.

All of our collections are made here in NYC, either in our SoHo atelier, or in one of the local factories we work with in the Garment District. We’ve worked with some wonderfully talented hand embroiderers in India for the past few collections as well.

9) The little films are fantastic that show Honor’s clothes, any plans for more in the future?

I love telling the stories of my collections through film. I’m sure I will make another film at some point.

10) Name some of the celebrities who have worn Honor.

I have been very lucky to dress many of the women who I admire. To name a few, Oprah Winfrey, Lupita Nyong’o, Kirsten Dunst, Zoe Kazan, Zosia Mamet, Tracee Ellis Ross.