When I was a little girl, I would always dream about being the famous figure skater, Kristi Yamaguchi. Imagine, you’re 5-years-old and watching her glide effortlessly on the ice in beautiful sequin costumes – it’s like you’ve found your calling! While it was more than acceptable to wear tutus and sparkles to pre-school, twenty years later, I was in need of a more mature set of sequins, and with luck I discovered Tumbler and Tipsy through Twitter!
The designs are unique + fun, and it’s totally in trend to mix more flashy pieces with neutrals, with Tumbler & Tipsy, you get both! Sequin cape and an LBD anybody?
I got a chance to ask the designer (and once pro-figure skater!) Michael Kuluva, a few questions about where he finds his inspiration and more:
What is your history and why did you want to become a designer?
I started my fashion career shortly after my stint as a professional
figure skater for the United States for almost 20 years. I was able to
tour the world professionally to over 600 cities and 40 countries.
Along the way, I was always with designers designing my skating costumes
since I was 8 years old. When I was on tour I would always go to
fashion week in Paris, New York or Los Angeles if I was close by or in
town.
Where did the name Tumbler and Tipsy come from?
I was flying home from New York Fashion Week FW 2009 when on the
airplane I was reading an old book. The name originated from an old
English Poem, “Too many TUMBLERS of whiskey, might make you a little bit
TIPSY!” so I decided to put the two names together.
How did you choose the fabrics and color scheme?
I use my background in skating and in my travels for my inspiration for
my collections. I am definitely known for my sequin garments on top of
my unique accessories. The fabrics I chose last season were very
comfortable with jersey knit lining in all our sequin pieces making them
easy to wear.
This coming season we are also using a comfortable materials such as
silk, chiffon and of course our infamous sequins in our new collection.
watch?feature=player_embedded&v=7isixU_1Lvg
What’s the most stressful part about preparing for a fashion show at NYFW?
I am a Los Angeles based designer so there are a lot of stressful things
going into the show, I would say mostly getting everything from LA to
NY. We do not travel light!
You’ve shown in both LA and NY, how do they compare?
I love Los Angeles, it is my hometown with all of my family however New
York is definitely on another fashion level which I just love. I love to
show on both coasts since I have a spot for each in my heart.
What’s your fave: hangout spot+ song + sport + movie?
My favs are hanging out at the SLS Hotel or the Soho House, my favorite
song right now is from my girl Rye Rye with “Boom Boom Boom”, my
favorite sport is of course figure skating but I do have season Laker
tickets and my favorite movie would have to be The Addams Family.
For more on Tumbler & Tipsy, check out their website.
Follow the designer on Twitter @MichaelKuluva
Written by Jacqueline Chambers
Jacqueline Chambers is the founder of TGIFguide. She uses her innate skills as a natural “connector” to serve businesses, brands and individuals in the LA area and beyond.
