Designer Cynthia Rowley is opening a new store on Newbury Street.
G FORCE | CYNTHIA ROWLEY
Upside of downturn
Designer Cynthia Rowley is opening a new store on Newbury Street.
While many businesses are clearing out of their Newbury Street digs, fashion designer Cynthia Rowley is moving in. Known for her flirty women's pieces, in addition to a home-decor line she created for Target, Rowley opens her Newbury Street boutique today, and tonight she'll make the scene at a fashion show at the Liberty Hotel. We recently chatted with Rowley about her Boston arrival.
Q. It seems unusual that you're coming to Boston now. Aren't you supposed to be closing stores instead of opening them?
A. I'm a very optimistic person. I feel like our collection is positioned at the right price and attitude for what's happening in the world now. I'm taking that optimistic attitude into the stores. They're small little jewel boxes, but in the best places in all my favorite cities and places that I want to visit more often.
Q. With all the stores vacating the street, did you land a good deal on the lease?
A. It's sort of ironic because I've wanted to open on Newbury Street for a long time. Years, really. I could never find the right place at the right price. Because of the economy, it's been easier to find something that is just right for us. For me, the economy has been a source of great opportunity.
Q. You have more than 50 boutiques in Japan, and I'm wondering if you're bigger than Hello Kitty there.
A. Nobody's bigger than Hello Kitty! For some reason, there's a nice affinity. I'm a huge fan of Japanese culture and the fashion. Maybe it's a mutual admiration. It's really inspiring for me to go there. The culture there embraces fashion in such a great way. You see much older women wearing the kookiest combinations, but they look amazing.
Q. Your clothes are very young and flirty, and I'd like to know who you see as your customer and what inspires your designs.
A. It's so funny. Every day I hear a different interpretation of my designs. I love it. Last night I met this girl who just graduated from Parsons, and she thought my clothes have an arty, downtown vibe. And you're saying they're flirty. I'm glad, because those are all things that I think of.
Q. You've also done a bit of judging on reality television.
A. Oh no.
Q. I'm wondering if you have aspirations of someday . . .
A. . . .No.
Q. . . . hosting or being the next Simon Cowell?
A. No way. It's not really a priority. I don't care at all about being on TV. Occasionally I like being on "Project Runway." I think that's a great show. I like the idea of TV spreading the word about what the industry is really like.
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