“Kicking the Cubicle” is a brand-new weekly interview series on The Blonde Abroad featuring women around the world sharing their inspiring pursuits of dream-worthy jobs, how they got where they are and what a day in their shoes looks like. This week, founders of the fashion label, NAVEN, Kym and Alexis McClay share their story.
NAVEN is a women’s contemporary apparel brand, co-designed by twin designers Alexis and Kym McClay, known for its high end cocktail dresses seen on a long list of A-List celebs.
Though NAVEN finds its roots in Los Angeles, and is characterized as a Southern California brand, the line embodies a touch of European influence stemming from the twins background, such as classic silhouettes and clean lines. The twin’s vision behind “the NAVEN girl” is a confident, empowered woman, who uses color and fashion forward fits expressed in their wardrobe.
I first met Kym and Alexis a few years ago, when I first moved to LA, and I’ve always been inspired by their line, NAVEN. As women that have translated their passion (and style!) into a successful business, Kym and Alexis are exactly the sort of female entrepreneurs I am excited to hear from.
Alexis and Kym, you have successfully built a clothing line and brand, and have become major trendsetters. Where do you get inspiration for your fashion line, NAVEN?
Anything we do creatively we do as a team. We start with our own personal style and aesthetic. We will sit down and brainstorm on color ways, prints, themes, and an overall mood for the collection. After we have a solid feel for the collection, we get inspiration through other venues such as style icons both nowadays and throughout history, from our favorite artists, and from pop culture.
You both sought higher-education; what did you study? What part of your education did you find most useful when entering the fashion industry?
K: I always knew I wanted to be a designer ever since I was a little girl. In high school, I had a small tailor shop where I would make prom dresses, apparel for the school fashion shows and costumes for the dances. I was always drawing different designs and have always loved color and bold statements. As soon as high school was over, I headed straight for Los Angeles and attended FIDM in downtown. I learned the fundamentals of fashion design and how to refine my natural talent to become commercial and sellable.
A: Though Kym and I are both creative minds, I’ve always loved the world of business and marketing, I take after my father in that regard. I graduated from Pepperdine University in Malibu where I studied marketing, business and double majored in French. Pepperdine helped me learn the fundamentals of accounting, how to run a business, how to work as a team, and how to appeal to the “needs and wants” of a specific customer. These are key strategies I’ve applied to our current business.
As co-founders of a business, and twins, do you work side by side? Or do you each tackle different responsibilities?
K: Conceptually and for branding, we are co-pilots and come up with the creative direction together. I manage and take on all technical designing and adding my unique design aesthetic to each piece. I also manage our manufacturing and sampling.
A: Kym’s strength is really design, so once we conceptually come up with the collection, I focus more on marketing, finances, and operational functions to keep things running smoothly.
What do you love about working with your sister?
K: We feed off of each other’s ideas on all things creative, we bring our own style to the mix, and we have the same work ethic.
A: Everything
Being in business with family can sometimes be difficult, how do you girls keep a good work/life balance?
We love working together. It makes each day fun at work fun, and feel more like a hobby than a job. The most mundane tasks, like picking up bulk zippers, are a lot more fun when you have your best friend by your side. We do whatever it takes as a team to get the work done and hustle. Knowing that you have a loyal partner indefinitely in your business gives you confidence and trust.
Finding balance in life is the eternal struggle.
It’s definitely a work in progress for us. We workout doing spin class and equinox, we take our dog for a walk during the day, and we make sure to travel and be social. However, we have dedicated this time in our lives to building our careers, so work always comes first.
From an outside perspective, the fashion industry looks so glamorous. Obviously, there’s a LOT more work that goes on behind the scenes. Can you tell us about typical day-in-the-life as fashion designers?
Wake up, do spin class at YAS downtown, answer emails, check trend forecasting sites and blogs, work on CADs (pattern making software), develop and design prints, correspond with the factories, review sales analysis, go to Equinox gym or out for dinner with friends, go to sleep and repeat…
There are ups and downs with any business. What inspires you, and what motivates you to keep going?
K: I’m in love with designing. To see a girl randomly wearing one of my designs and for her to tell me it’s her favorite dress warms my heart.
A: We have always been chasing our dream to create a household name, and to set a good example of how women can be a powerful force in the entrepreneurial world. I want my daughter one day to look at me as her role model and believe women to be empowered.
What advice would you give someone hoping to work in the fashion industry?
K: Sometimes your dream design may not be what sells, so be flexible and willing to simplify your work without losing the flare.
A: Find a great manufacturing partner and always analyze your business to find creative ways to cut costs.
What does success look like to you?
K: I’ll let you know when I get there lol! But in all seriousness I think success is hard to measure because we’re always striving for more, for the next chapter, to refine and improve. I think knowing I am reaching my full potential is what success looks like at the end of the day.
A: Passion and fulfillment. Being humble in his world is the biggest lesson I’ve learned. Knowing that the market changes every day and that you have to continually be working on and refining your trade is essential.
What are you working on now that you are particularly excited about?
K: We just launched an exclusive collection NBD X The NAVEN Twins sold only on RevolveClothing.com. It’s fun, flirty & edgy party dresses and separates. I’m in love with the collection!
Check out the collection: NBD x The NAVEN Twins
A: We’re working with Mobstar, a new application, for talent in music and fashion. We’re fashion mentors for the app and are so excited and honored to be working with them. We’ll keep you posted for when it launches next year.
Take a look at the Mobstar website
Lastly, a few fun questions!
What did you want to be when you grew up?
K: I’ve always wanted to be a fashion designer. No question about it!
A: I’ve always been obsessed with science, and always wanted to be a scientist. I volunteered in a cancer research lab in high school, I had stacks of medical journals and anatomy books growing up, and biology was always my favorite class. When I got a little older I realized I wasn’t cut out for all the years in school and the long tedious hours. I still keep up on medical and scientific advancements, I just chose a really fun life in fashion as my main focus.
You both love to travel. What’s the #1 destination on your radar?
K: We have a really fun vacation planned for Tulum, Mexico this New Year’s. I love the balance of fun parties and the culture Tulum offers. I can’t wait.
A: I can’t wait to go to Bali. I’ve wanted to visit for such a long time. We practice Nichiren Buddhism and there are a lot of beautiful temples that are on my bucket list to visit. I also love the idea of a relaxing beach vacation in one of the most beautiful destinations in the world.
Song that has you dancing:
K: “Feeling Myself” by Miley Cyrus and Will I Am, I can’t get it out of my head.
A: “White Noise” Disclosure, I’ve had it on repeat for some time.
Quote that keeps you smiling:
K: “The more you smile the better you look.”
A: “It’s never too late to be what you might have become.” – George Eliot
You can find more information on the NAVEN website or find daily inspiration on The NAVEN Twins Instagram.
