Introduction and Interview by Kelsea Kosko

If you could bottle rays of bohemian sunlight that we dreamt the sixties and seventies were so full of, and top it with some punchlines and iconic imagery from our favorite gangster movies (because let’s face it, if you’re reading this you’re probably a sad millenial too), you would be stepping into the same autumn of 2019 that Lousy NY is envisioning.

What I love about this collection is that it’s a younger generation’s creative twist on what they imagine an era may have been like; that’s not to say that the designers and team are by no means unfamiliar with reality. They have successfully created an escape through clothing by cohesively melding their love and lust for “Old New York,” a place that they admittedly, like most of us, have visited perhaps only through the lens of cinema, into one. But instead of creating something totally nostalgic and dated, Lousy is dually and unabashedly inspired by the youth of today, incorporating a subtle, collegiate aesthetic into all of their collections. Fall 2019 is ready to wear and instantly resonates with the 20 and 30 somethings of 2019. Not to mention, Lousy’s choice of colorways, and careful consideration of the printing and embroidery techniques available to them, deserve some applause.

Edgar De La Vega has become a familiar face at the office over the past few months, quietly and consistently working on his new collection. I would peek at samples when I had the chance, tees and hoodies featuring iconic characters and old school talent, from Pam Grier to Al Pacino. To see everything come full circle is incredibly inspiring, and I can only imagine how Edgar and his colleagues must feel to see their next endeavor come full circle. We chatted briefly last week prior to the shoot to see what the team has been up to since publishing their intro about their Spring 2019 capsule earlier in the year.
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Kelsea: What have you been up to since we last talked in May?

Edgar: We’re shooting our fall collection tomorrow at a bar called Lion Lion in East Harlem at 332 East 116th street.

Kelsea: And this is for fall 2019?

Edgar: Yeah I don’t know how people do that 2020 stuff.

Kelsea: I think a lot of younger designers are sort of rebelling against that 3 seasons ahead thing.

Edgar: It’s impossible.

Kelsea: Or even just following seasons at all really. Aside from that, any upcoming pop ups or events?

Edgar: We were supposed to have one at the end of July but…it didn’t happen (laughs). As far as press, I’m really trying to start catering to the Japanese market, cause I think once [the line] picks up there, you’re good.

Kelsea: Anyone special you’re working with for your shoot?

Edgar: Instagram helps with that a lot, we have some really great models this time.

Kelsea: What is the concept for the collection this season?

Edgar: Old New York in a way, like a lot of 70s inspired stuff and some 90s inspired stuff again, but a lot of 70s this time.

Kelsea: I can’t wait to see the the colorways, I’m so into 70s right now too. Will this all be DTG, or are you experimenting with different printing techniques? What garments are you creating?

Edgar: Jackets, a hoodie, sweaters, a few tees. Doing embroidery as well.