Meet Designer Carly Cushnie
Carly Cushnie knew that fashion was something she wanted to do, after high school she took classes at the Parsons outpost in Paris. She then moved to New York to enroll full-time at Parsons The New School for Design. While in her junior year, she met Michelle Ochs and the two quickly become close friends. While in school Carly interned at Oscar de la Renta working on ready-to-wear clothing. She was runner up for student designer of the year at Parsons, her friend Michelle came in the first place.
Their senior collections were illustrated through wool pieces by Carly and a sheared-mink coat and cashmere pants by Michelle which was featured in a WWD cover story on the competition’s finalists.
(L) Michelle Ochs and (R) Carly Cushnie
With all the fashion experience they racked up from interning, Carly and Michelle decided to join forces in 2009 and create their own brand: Cushnie et Ochs, it embodies a unique sensibility that seamlessly combines a bold sensuality with a raw feminine attitude that is confidently understated and luxuriously modern. Together they debuted their Spring 2009 collection, which was inspired by the film American Psycho, with a female version of Patrick Bateman in mind.
The designers have a clear understanding of the female body. Their collection speaks to the modern woman who owns her own individuality.
Their clothes have been worn by many famous names, including Michelle Obama, Salma Hayek, Reese Witherspoon among others. Their collection is currently being sold in more than 60 stores worldwide.
Michelle Obama wears a custom-made silk-crepe Cushnie et Ochs