Designer Gaby Basora is truly a free spirit; not only in her style sensibilities, but also in the way she approaches life. Born in the Midwest, raised in the West coast, living in Europe during high school and finally settling in NYC, has fueled Basora’s nomadic-inspired designs for her clothing line, Tucker.
We did a little Q&A session with the talented designer to delve a little deeper into her inspirations:
Who are your biggest style influences?
GB: Anna Magnani, Joanne Woodward, Ava Gardner, Gena Rowlands, my grandmothers, other people’s grandmothers, Richard Branson's mother, India Menuez, (my friend's daughter ) Isadora Duncan. Paz De La Huerta, Sonia Rykiel, Vivienne Westwood, Patti Smith, The Clash, and Jackie O.
What is your design process like?
GB: Constantly happening, thinking, looking, being curious.
Tell us about how you got started in the fashion business.
GB: I grew up in a family where things were made. My grandfather was a tailor. My mother, an artist who grew up at the Art Institute of Chicago. She designed a small collection in the late sixties, which my grandfather sewed and sold at upscale boutiques in Chicago.
I lived in Amsterdam during high school and travelled on weekends to stay with friends. I had a very glamorous grandmother. Her apartment faced the Pompidou Museum and we strolled through Paris going to movies and museums.
In college I assisted stylist Karl Templer and had the good luck to assist him on shoots for Italian Vogue, Arena, working with photographers such as Peter Lindbergh as well as fashion shows for Hugo Boss, Calvin Klein and Nicole Farhi. I then started styling my own jobs. Matt Badger hired me for my first commercial and worked on jobs with musicians such as Lauryn Hill. I designed things for jobs and for myself. People always stopped me to ask where things were from…that’s when I started Tucker.
What’s your favorite part about being in the fashion industry?
GB: I like making things and bringing pieces of bits together. I like silliness and seriousness. I like pretty, ugly and audacity.
What is the most challenging aspect of your job?
GB: Being involved in the fashion industry.
What’s your favorite trend to rock currently?
GB: Things move so fast, we are a year ahead of real time all the time! I am enjoying silk printed cuffed pants and button up shirts with contrasting binding. I know I may tire of these, but for now it feels like I never will!
What’s your favorite fashion tip?
GB: Give it [your look] some thought!
What do you think is a woman’s best fashion accessory?
GB: YSL said it best: passion. After that, at least one very special piece.
What item do you never leave home without?
GB: "Love"necklace by Solange Azagury Partridge
If you could have a theme song play every time you showed up, what would it be?
GB: “Should I Stay or Should I Go” by the Clash
