Interview by Anne Levin

When 27-year-old Alyson Eastman launched her first collection last year at Soho’s Dune Studios, she won praise for her unique mix of Paris-inspired Romanticism and fresh Modernism. An oversized, champagne-colored sweater paired with a white, button-down blouse and long pleated skirt; and a matching, maroon-hued set of high-waisted, draped trousers and a cropped, short-sleeve blouse were among the popular pieces in the collection. Clean, strong silhouettes are the backbone of Eastman’s aesthetic. Her newest collection is for spring/summer 2015. Until recently she worked at the NoLiTa boutique Warm, but she is now solely focused on own design work.

UA: Was fashion a big part of your growing up?

Not at all. I’m from just outside Portland, Oregon. I grew up on a farm where we had llamas and horses. I’ve ridden horses my whole life. I had a nice childhood.

UA: What sparked your interest in fashion?

I went to a Montessori school until high school and we had to wear uniforms every day. So when I got to the public high school and could wear whatever I wanted, I realized I loved clothing and expressing myself that way. I loved to see how different groups expressed themselves through fashion. And I developed this love for it. I actually put on a little fashion show in high school. I made all my dresses for dances. My parents said, “Where did this come from?”

UA: Did you study fashion?

Yes. I went to the Fashion Institute of Design and Merchandising in Los Angeles, and after graduating I moved to Paris. I studied at Mod’Art International for another year and a half. Then I thought I’d give New York a try, and I’ve been here ever since. That was in 2009.

UA: How important was the stay in Paris?

Paris changed my whole life. It was amazing and so hard at the same time. I went to a French school. I was the only American there. I learned French very quickly, and they speak English, kind of, when they want to. But you didn’t really have to speak French—you could still learn so much in classes from doing fashion, art, and just being creative. If I had a bad day, I could walk down the street and be inspired by the buildings and the people. I’m really happy I went when I did. It was a big part of my growing up.

UA: What about your experience in New York?

I hated it when I got here. It was right after the crash, so it was impossible to find a job. And everything is so expensive. I was working at Top Shop for a while, and then I got to intern for Zac Posen and Badgley Mischka, so that was great. I freelanced for trade shows, showrooms, then got a job as store manager for the store Ports 1961. I tried to get on their design team but I would have had to move to China. I finally decided to start my own line. I figured I had the resources and the knowledge, so I took the plunge last February. The first thing I made was a coat, because I needed one. It was fun to make, and proved to myself that I could do it. Then I did a collection and a presentation, and it kind of went from there.

UA: Is it important to you to design clothing that is as practical as it is original?

The one thing Paris really taught me is that you can design whatever you want, but people have to be able to wear it. You can make all these beautiful things, but at the end of the day, if you’re not selling it you’re not in business. And I’ve noticed, as I’ve gotten older, that simplicity is sometimes more of a statement. It is the silhouettes, the cut of a sleeve, that make a good design. The designs I made when I was 19 are very different from what I do now.

UA: What do you like to do in your spare time?

I love books. I’m very inspired by books and magazines. I could look through them all day long. If I need a treat, I’ll go to a magazine store and get lost. I also like to play basketball, which I’ve done since I was a child.

UA: Future plans?

I plan to just keep creating collections and getting my name out there— visiting stores, selling the collection. And I hope to do more collaborations, like the one I did recently with the shoe company Sigerson Morrison. I have a lot to work on and a lot to look forward to.